Front load washer spider bracket fix. Custom/homemade spider bracket!

My dad found a Frigidaire front load washing machine in a metal scrap yard that looked brand new and he bought it for $10. We assumed something was broken inside and began disassembling it, the tub felt loose and wobbly right away. Everything looked brand new with no cobwebs, dust or mildew on gaskets, ect. Once we took it all apart we found that the spider bracket on the back of the tub was broken in 3 spots and the bearing hub was completely loose from the tub as seen in the video. After pricing the part online we knew it was not cost effective to pay $300+ to fix a used washer so my dad decided to build the part. I took photos as an after thought because I've seen lots of people having the same problem and thought a few might benefit from it. I wish I had thought about pictures during the process but this should give you an idea about the structure and how it is made, you can build this with varying designs so take what info you find helpful and give it a try. The most critical part is centering the bearing shaft perfectly and also measuring to the top of the shaft where the pulley bolt goes and measure down to the edge of the tub and repeat in all 4 directions to make sure the shaft is square with the tub. This is definitely not an easy fix but the materials were less than $20 and I have a good as new washer for a total of $30.

Music credit goes to zwieR.Z. at....

[aarongriffin]

Mid-2022 and this washing machine is still used almost daily and no further repairs have been made. Family of 5.

[noneofyabusiness]

The spiders on these machines are designed to fail!
Somebody could make a pile of dollars making stainless replacements.

[aarongriffin]

UPDATE: Over 5 years later, this machine is still going strong and no issues yet. It is used daily for a family of 5.

[jmiddlefinger]

Nice work on the DIY spider! Certainly far better than paying like $400 to get a new inner drum assembly complete with the same POS cast aluminum spider. I haven’t TIG welded stainless in quite a while. This should be fun!

[aarongriffin]

This has been used DAILY ever since this fix and it is still working great. Even I was nervous about the spin cycles if something came apart I bet the neighbors would hear the carnage.

[richhull]

Nice work! The spider just broke on our 13 year old Whirlpool. The bearing went out at 6 months, and I replaced one of the computer boards a few years back, so if you’re handy, you can keep them running for a long time. Had to buy a new washer because of the time needed to repair the spider and the price doesn’t support a new spider on an old machine, but may try repairing and sealing with epoxy. But, I really like what you did on yours.

[RRaucina]

Now you know there is no $ payback on that very correct and good fix - if you have any value to your time. Satisfaction in having saved something from the scrap heap. Cheers because you are the only one I see that used SS and didn't put an anode back in the washer like the assholes that designed that spider. I would like to hear from one of the designers of that machine that went home sick to his stomach at being forced to design death into the product.

[Topcoatdetail]

Excellent. Apart from SS spider, manufacturers should think about SS body or atleast good galvanized steel with thick powder coat. The rust i have in LG front load is insane

[aarongriffin]

Still going strong in 2019 (3.5 years so no mainetence done to the washing machine yet and used for family of four.

[Willrowzee]

Better than new I would say that new spider arm will probably never break, the original one becomes weak from exposure to soap, bleach etc, and eventually breaks :)

[c-qc-q]

Needs to be made from epoxy-carbon-fiber. I would pay extra $$$ to ensure my washer lasted 10-20 years, besides the fact that servicing the drum is probably the most labor intensive task.

[JoeCnNd]

Companies will watch this and look for ways to prevent fixes. It's not about longevity it's about the next sell.

[peterottes]

Great video! Just wish I had the skills to weld this. Have the exact same problem.

[bernardhendrikovergang]

Great vid, great thinking and i want to try it myself. But i am having problems finding the way howe to align everything.
Maybe HoneyBees could explain this process to us all. I did notice other viewers were wondering how you did that ?
I have my spiderarm on the bench, i treated it with some epoxy 2K seaker and paint. But this spider arm had it days so i need to prepare and start making the new one.
But if i fail and it wobbles a little bit i am doomed.

[tranlee]

It's a great idea. But if you upgrader the spider with better material the drum will rust and give up. I have first hand experience with that.

[muthurajkumar]

How the shaft was welded with plate in bottom can you show the video

[mercantilist]

my frigidaire laundry center front loader gets very little use and looks almost new -except for the spider. It seems that the part (only with the spin basket) goes for $300 or more. In addition there are many variations for the various models of electrolus/frigidaire and allied brands. The manufacture designs a bad part and the gouges the consumer for another defective replacement part.

[Engmus]

Thank you ...welcome to my channel to share together

[MVP]

Very cool! I just had the same issue on mine. I bought one on eBay, and coated it in Marine paint used for out drives on boat. Hopefully it will last me.

[ItsVideos]

What happened to this machine when you replaced it?