Frigidaire 5308002385 Snubber Ring OEM Part

I like fixing things and I like my 15 year old Frigidaire GLWS1649AS2, so I wanted to fix it. What I discovered, apart from what's seen in the videos: I went through all the research and started taking apart the machine thinking I needed a new spin bearing and wanting to see if and what I could do. I was willing to find I couldn't do anything, buy a new machine and trash this one. I thought I'd play it safe and also planned on the tub seals. Once I got the tubs out (the point at which I could replace the spin bearing and seals) I discovered, by spinning the shaft of the transmission that it made the grinding sound I heard and so was bad. I ordered all the parts mentioned above. I discovered that the only thing I need from the seals kit was the little rubber washer. The lower seal with the spring in it was fine...maybe a little stiff but fine. The spin bearing looked OK, but one of the tabs broke when I took it out for inspection so it definitely needed replacing at that point. I could not get the transmission pulley off and had to break it, fortunately it broke right off at the hub and I was able to maneuver it out of the hole and remove the transmission, so I had to buy a new transmission pulley. I put all of this back together, but I had a real issue getting the splash tub cover on, eventually I took the tub cover seal out, soaked it with WD40, cleaned out the groove and was then able to get it all together; but, it didn't seem right, i.e., thumping and vibrating. I discovered the little piece of plastic I found was not part of the shipping block (left behind), but the adjusting bracket that the springs hook into. I took the machine apart and removed the other one, but after assembly there wasn't enough tub dampening stability in spin, so I ordered new ones, took the machine apart again and put them in. I had to guess on which notch to hook the springs in. Along the way I also put in a new drive belt and because I was dealing with that thumping thing a new snubber, which came out easily but didn't go in so easily and I discovered that I had bent the little black rubber seal or cushion, or whatever on top of the snubber so I put the old one back in, which actually looked OK. At this point the tub did not center in the lid cover opening and I got too much vibration and some noise on a full spin cycle. I didn't know whether to loosen the spring opposite the motor (decreasing dampening) or tighten the right rear and front springs. So, not only would I have to go in and remove all the tubs and stuff (to get to that right rear spring), but I might have to go back in again after that to make another adjustment. I could take the motor out to get at that right rear spring, but don't like that idea (leverage on the spring, etc.). So I do all my washes on Permanent Press cycle for the less vigorous final spin. With all the extra parts I had to order and wait for this actually took over a week. FWIW, cut, bruised, and bled through this repair.

I replaced the idler pulley, drive belt, and while I was at it, also replaced the snubber ring. I found step by step videos on you tube which enabled me to do the repairs myself.

A customer's double stack was shaking during the spin cycle. First thing I checked was the tub springs but all 6 were in place and intact. That left only the snubber ring to be the problem. I ordered a new snubber from APP and it arrived pretty quickly. I returned to the washer and removed the springs and lifted the tub to get to the old snubber (if you can get an extra hand to help hold up the tub, I makes it all the more easier) sure enough the snubber was worn and cracked. It a pretty easy fix but the only problem you will have is getting the springs back in place. Pro-tip: replace the spring on the back of the tub first.

I went online to AppliancePartsPros.com and described the noise to a representative. He in turn gave me a probable fix for the problem...the snubber ring down under the pulley at the base of the machine. I watched 2 videos and decided it was something I could take care of myself. Honestly, it took more time to remove the front and top panels than it did to change the snubber ring out. Beware...theres alot of very sharp edges where this part is located, use some sort of tool to hook the ring out and try not to put your hands under the machine in case it slips off th pry bar holding it up. The noise it makes now is more in line with a normal sound of a spin cycle.

I looked inside the washer by loosening the top and taking off the front panel, then looked inside to see what looked wrong or worn out. Decided it was the snubber ring, and I watched the video on youtube to make certain it was the snubber that needed replacing. Then ordered the part at applicancepartspros.com, and the part was here immediately like they said. No waiting to do laundry again. Thanks appliancepartspros.com!