Dont you think that if they had left the machine alone it would still be fine today, other than the plastic squeak? I know as I said before that the old Calypsos had this type hanging system(and possibly GE) and I have heard the Calypso make the squeak and creak noise. As I told you before I hate to have something new with a "flaw" but I have also felt that sometimes I was too picky and would convince myself I needed to get it checked out only to be sicker(& madder)after service. A car for example, have a small rattle, carry in for service, they take half the car apart to fix it, then when you start home you no longer have that rattle, you have three more to go with it where they took things apart--now that is my luck--and I am thinking"Why on earth didnt I live with one small rattle but it is too late to back up then". Just go forward from here and I think I would try another one like you have. It seems like a great washer and you know that the LG made F/L didnt last you very long so maybe this next one will?. OH and about Sears using Electolux now instead of LG for front-loaders, I have always been told it depends on who bid the cheapest to build them. Not sure if that is true but I have heard that. Maybe you need to start looking for the 57 Lady Kenmore!

I was just about to ask a similar question when Dee's post showed up. My BIL is considering a Craigslist purchase of a slightly used HE3t and its pedestal. This is a "divorce sale." However, the wife (who is selling the machine) and her movers had no clue about the need for reinstalling the shipping bolts. It was moved into her new home without them. I told BIL this was a no-no for the machine's suspension. So how could he tell that something got farkled in the FL from the move? Plug it in and run it through the spin? The machine is not hooked up to water. BIL is a mechanic extrodinaire, but FLs are a new beast for him. Is the suspension a reasonable repair to undertake with the technical manual and parts that run less than $200? Is there anything else that likely could have gotten messed up in the un-bolted move and he should check for? Help us, Obi Wans of the Laundry Room!

I've had a Kenmore front loader for 15 years that has been a great washing machine. It originally cost about $600 in 2001, and has just kept on chugging. Right at the moment, it is dripping a bit from the bottom from a leaking outer tank, but not enough leakage that it doesn't dry out between uses. Since it's on a slab, not a big issue, but I expect to be replacing it within a year or so, Can't really complain about that length of service for what we originally put into it. I'll be looking for another front loader, this one has gotten our clothes clean without damaging them with minimal water use. No smell, but we leave the door and the soap drawer ajar between uses so that they dry out inside. Yes, it does vibrate, but it doesn't rip out pipes and walls or walk around, just makes some noise on fast spin. I haven't got enough money to buy a washing machine that doesn't make any noise. And yes, there's a certain amount of luck involved with any major appliance purchase, and I'm well aware that we've been lucky with this one. Lemons do happen. But you can take a lot of the doubt out (except the probability of getting a lemon *smile*) by doing your research up front. Good luck!

[Information compiled from various Appliances Forum "Hettie" threads...] ------------------------------ [Posted by TJ (AKAsTJ_Northern_CA) on 28 August 2002]: Here's the HE3t sequence: 1. Push Drain/Spin 2. Set spin speed to No Spin 3. Push Prewash 4. Push Water Temp 5. Push Prewash 6. Push Water Temp Demo mode should start and *Sd* shows on the panel... ------------------------------ [Posted by "Ken" (Ken_Moore) on 5 July 2002]: Here's the DuetHT sequence: 1. Control panel on. 2. Move dial to Rinse/Spin, switch to Drain/Spin 3. Repeat 2 4. Set Spin Speed to "No spin" 5. Push "PreWash" then "WaterTemp". Repeat. "SD" should appear on the LED. ------------------------------ [Posted by Patrick (PatrickHackett) on 21 September 2002]: Regarding the Demo mode instructions for the Duets, step 3 is redundant and not necessary.....Really. ------------------------------ [first added to Appliances FAQ: 1 October 2002] [moved to Laundry Room FAQ: 28 December 2004] [last edited: 28 December 2004]