Went to the appliancePartsPros on line video and simply followed the step by step
procedure to take the washer apart.
The knocking noise was a good sign the bearings were bad, and the burning smell would have
comfermed it, but I had no grinding at the slower speeds ( would have been the grand-slam
Of diagnosis if it did. . ).
Found the bearings were in good shape, but the " spider " (. The part that holds the barrel to the drive motor )
had a cracked arm, allowing the barrel to move out of place when spun fast enough,, and would rub on the surrounding area causing a burning smell.
I replaced the broken spider, and the seal , the repair cost less than $100, and the washer runs like new again.
Note, never allow the knocking to go for ANY length of time..
It will groove the outer water seal, or worse , the plastic outer barrel, .. Then the simple inexpensive job turns into the " wish you bought the extended warrantee" job :)