Amana Washing Machine Suspension Rod Replacement

Unplug the washer from the wall outlet.

Turn off the hot and cold water supply valves.

Move the washer to a clear workspace where you can tilt it to one side.

Open the lid.

Press down on the agitator or washplate as hard as you can, and let go to watch how the tub rebounds.

Rock the tub left and right to check how much side-to-side play and bounce it has.

Get a W10189077 / W10820048-style suspension rod kit.

Get a 1/4-inch nut driver for the back screws.

Put on work gloves so you can pull oily, soapy rods without slipping.

Have masking tape ready to secure the lid so it can’t flop and hit the control panel.

Use a 1/4-inch nut driver to remove the three screws at the back of the top panel.

Remove the two screws near the hinges and the screw on the power cord cover plate.

Pull the top toward you, lift it up, and push it back about two inches to release it from the retaining bracket.

Reach into the washer cabinet and pull up on one suspension rod while wearing work gloves.

Rotate the rod’s plastic piece about 90 degrees, and slide it out of the plastic housing.

Lower the rod gently back into the cabinet so it hangs down for removal from below.

Tilt the washer to one side so you can access the bottom of the suspension rod.

Pull the rod out from the bottom of the washer.

Wiggle the shepherd’s hook end if it gets stuck while coming out.

Insert the new suspension rod from the bottom in the same path the old rod came out.

Feed the rod through both sets of holes until the spring and rod are fully in position.

Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the plastic cup and hook support pieces from the old rod.

Install the matching plastic cup and hook support pieces for the new rod.

Lift up on the washer tub and insert the rod’s shepherd’s hook into the plastic cup.

Use work gloves to keep your hand from slipping while lifting and hooking the rod.

Repeat the unhook, bottom removal, bottom install, and top hook process for the other three suspension rods.

Replace one rod at a time if you have limited working space.

Lower the top panel and slide it into its bracket with the reverse of the release motion.

Use a 1/4-inch nut driver to reinstall the two hinge-area screws and the screw on the power cord cover plate.

Press down on the agitator or washplate to confirm the tub returns to center without bouncing.

Rock the tub side to side to confirm there is significantly less play.

Run a load of laundry and confirm the washer no longer bangs or walks during spin.