How to change shock absorbers of a Zanussi washing machine

A Zanussi washing machine’s shock absorbers are essential for minimizing vibration and guaranteeing a smooth spin cycle. These parts may deteriorate with time, causing the machine to move excessively and make more noise.

It may be time to replace the shock absorbers if you’ve noticed that your Zanussi washing machine is shaking more than usual or producing strange noises. Fortunately, all you need for this task are a few simple tools and cautious steps.

We’ll help you replace the shock absorbers on your Zanussi washing machine so you can get it back to operating quietly and effectively by following this guide.

Let"s get acquainted with the parts that need to be replaced

It is quite easy to remove old dampers and install new ones if you carefully follow our instructions. Other than the ones that are commonly found in homes, you don’t even need any specialized tools for this. In addition, doing the repair yourself will save you from having to pay a technician several thousand rubles to replace this unit.

To begin with, in order to make the element easier to work with, you must thoroughly examine its design. Friction dampers are found in Zanussi brand equipment, and they have a rather straightforward design.

• Housing.
• Piston.
• Movable pad through which the spacer is fixed.
• Space.
• Guide.
• Sliding surface.

For vibration processing to be effective, each of these components is required. The guide makes sure that each element moves in the desired direction, while the piston protrudes slightly from the stationary element body. The part moves in certain places to generate resistance. In order to prevent excessive loads from harming other important parts of the washing machine, the damper absorbs the increased vibration of the washing tank and dampens it. The dampers in Zanussi’s newest "home assistants" have an approximate lifespan of 5-8 years because they lack age springs.

Regarding this company’s previous SM, they had traditional shock absorbers that were made up of a housing, a cylinder, and a movable rod. A sealing rubber with a unique non-drying lubricant is also included in this device, which is essential for flawless sliding.

The movable pusher-piston is screwed to the washing machine’s tank from above, and the damper itself is fastened to the device’s body from below using a silent block. Special sliding supports are positioned in close proximity to the dampers to guarantee longitudinal movement. Additionally, these supports are secured with keys to avoid axial displacement.

We make sure that the shock absorber system requires repair

As was previously mentioned, original dampers typically function well for 5-8 years, and occasionally even longer. In this instance, if the user disregards the fundamental operating guidelines, the shock-absorbing unit may only last a few years. What factors typically influence the dampers’ state?

• Wear during active use of the device.
• Failure due to excessive loads and continuous increased vibration.
• Washing out of technical grease from the damper body.
• Failure to comply with the rules and precautions, for example, frequent overloading of the device, installation on an uneven floor covering, lack of alignment with a building level, etc.

The most common reason dampers malfunction is when users disregard the washing machine’s operating instructions.

We should talk about the last point in greater detail. This includes frequently spinning at maximum speed, overloading the drum on a regular basis (e.g., washing 7 kg of clothes when the manufacturer has set a limit of 5 kg), and processing clothes when there is an imbalance in the drum rather than removing the imbalance. The shock-absorbing unit’s service life is considerably shortened by each of these factors alone, not to mention the scenario in which the user consistently disregards all of the manufacturer’s instructions. How can one tell if new dampers are necessary?

• The machine began to wobble and vibrate strongly during the spin cycle.
• The device began to make strange noises during operation, for example, knocking and rumbling.
• The washing machine bounces in place or even moves around the room by jumping.
• The drive belt regularly falls off the pulley.
• A leak appeared from under the hatch due to the fact that the drum regularly hits the body of the device, the rubber seal breaks and water flows out through the damaged cuff during the working cycle.

Any of the aforementioned indicators may alert the user to gradually failing dampers, but there’s no need to rush into replacing them just yet as the issue could also be with another important component of the Zanussi washing machine. System diagnostics are necessary because they will enable you to identify the issue with accuracy.

Thankfully, assessing the dampers’ quality at home is a fairly simple process. This can be accomplished by taking off the washing machine’s lid, applying pressure to the tank until it descends by at least five centimeters, and then abruptly releasing it. If the tank went back to its normal position right away, then everything is good. However, the shock-absorbing unit has to be replaced right away if the tank started to swing erratically in different directions.

In this condition, you run the risk of damaging not only the dampers but also the washer tank’s bearings, so you should not operate the machine. Consequently, you should further examine the racks if the tank swings for an extended period of time following diagnostics and does not return to its initial state. The device will need to be partially disassembled in order to access them, which are located at the bottom of the case.

By lowering noise and vibration during cycles, replacing the shock absorbers on a Zanussi washing machine is an easy fix that can greatly enhance the machine’s performance. To keep your washing machine operating smoothly, this guide will walk you through the steps of identifying worn shock absorbers, safely removing the old ones, and installing new replacements.

How to get to the racks?

Even if you have never disassembled a household appliance before, such as a washing machine, you can still manage it on your own. You must meticulously prepare and adhere to the directions in order to accomplish this.

• Disconnect the Zanussi washing machine from the water supply, sewerage and electricity.
• Disconnect the drain and inlet hoses.
• Move the device away from the wall to make it easier to work with.
• Remove the bolts holding the top panel, and then remove the cover itself.
• Remove the detergent drawer.
• Unscrew all the control panel fasteners.
• Carefully remove the control panel itself.

To make it simpler to reassemble the control panel and install the correct wiring, snap a picture of the connection.

• Place the machine on the back wall, having previously laid unnecessary towels or rags under it.
• Remove the fasteners holding the bottom of the device.
• Open the hatch door and remove the outer clamp of the rubber seal.
• Tuck the cuff into the drum.
• Disconnect the wires from the UBL.
• Dismantle the front panel of the CM.

The dampers will become visible as soon as you remove the case’s front wall. In order to make removing the racks easier, repair service personnel typically disassemble household appliances all the way down to the washing tank. However, by laying the equipment on the floor and changing the dampers in this manner, you can expedite the process.

If you carefully follow the instructions, replacing the shock absorbers on your Zanussi washing machine is a manageable task. You can get the machine’s stability and performance back with the correct tools and a little perseverance.

It is possible to minimize noise and vibrations during the spin cycle and prolong the life of your washing machine by replacing worn-out shock absorbers.

Always unplug the machine before beginning any repairs, and take care handling the parts to prevent damage. Seek professional advice if there are any aspects of the process that you find unclear or unsettling.

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