I fixed this with valuable information/videos from AppliancePartsPros.com. I consider myself relatively good at repairing things but there is no way on earth I was going to attempt this UNTIL I put my washer model and problem in my search engine. The AppliancePartsPros video popped up and I watched attentively. Matt explained and showed things very clearly. And even gave links to purchase items on the website. This was three days before Thanksgiving after I had traveled all week with a massive amount of dirty clothes. Plus, I was in the early stages of the FLU. This was Monday. Despite the cramped setup, I opened it up going back and forth to the videos. Confirmed it was the spider in two pieces and badly corroded. This was made in 2008 and I bought it used as a set. Got on the phone with AppliancePartsPros.com to place the order and try to determine how quickly I might be to receive it without the additional expense of expedited shipping charges. I took a chance and the spider and o ring arrived Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving! Then my flu really kicked in, aches and pain plus constant headache! I would work a bit and then have to crash. No energy! But a lot of determination! Got everything thoroughly cleaned and started assembling. Fast forward to Saturday morning and the day had arrived. I reviewed everything and watched the video once again. I thought a test run was in order. I refrained from sliding it back in and kept the top and back panels off. I connected hoses, plugged it in, and crossed my fingers! It sounded pretty good but within 40 seconds I was sitting in a pool of water! With a flashlight, I located one of the many hose connections and failed to connect this one. I was able to connect it and secure the clamp without much problem. Then I started looking at things again and noticed I had failed to secure one of the bolts at top of one of the shocks! Took care of that immediately. Glad I had not buttoned up those panels yet! Then, I started it again. Took 45 minutes or so to run a complete cycle. NO PROBLEMS! And the spin cycle is SO quiet! Very satisfying. Did it without help too. My flu has gotten better too......
I figure I saved at least 2k, which is what a new set would have run. I wasn't going to just get a new washer and have a mis-matched set.