The DRSNews
September/October 2008

(Once or twice/year I get so far behind I'm forced to skip
an issue and combine two months into one newsletter.
Happened again this month! Sorry!)

WHO ELSE WOULD LIKE THIS NEWSLETTER?
If you enjoy this issue, you're welcome to forward its link
to any friends or associates who might find it useful.

(There's an unsubscribe link in every issue if they decide
it's not their 'thing') Thanks!

***************************************

A Special 'Welcome' to my new subscribers!  Glad to have you aboard!

In this issue:

1) A Quick Test for Frontload Washer Main Bearings
2) The Glossary of Appliance Terms

Howdy!

1) I get a lot of questions about frontload washers, and if you've read
my rambling very long, you know I'm still not a fan, I'm sorry to say.

They do a great job while they last, but my opinion's been further
biased by our own Speed Queen top-load machine, which turned
30 this year - and has been used every day for the last 25!

If a $1000 washer wants to take up residence at our house, it'd better
last longer than the 5-7 years I'm seeing most front-loaders 'live'!

Anyway, enough of that ranting, you've heard it all before. <grin>

I find myself really short on time again this month (getting to be the
norm around here lately!) so I'll keep this brief. I've had quite a few
folks ask how they could test the bearings in their FL washer, and
it's really simple.

Just open the door, reach in and grab the front of the inner tub, and
lift up on it a few times. If you feel a 'clunk' as you lift, then the
bearings are starting to wear.

They may last a little while after they exhibit this 'play', but not usually
very long. You'll also notice more spin noise as bearing wear progresses.
It's gradual, but this wear's usually accompanied by an ever-louder
'roar' in spin.

Regrettably, those rear mounted tub bearings continue to be the inherent
weakness of the design, and I wanted to pass this tip along. It's a fast
and simple test.

Whether you decide to replace the bearings or not is totally up to you.
On most brands it requires replacing the entire rear half of the tub (comes
with the bearings already installed), and it's pretty much the most
expensive repair  done on one. 

2) I'm nearly done with this new project, and would love your opinion.
The text portions are finished, even though it's a work in progress.

I call it a 'glossary of appliance terms' and have nearly all of the
illustrations added. And it'll be available as one downloadable pdf
file very soon. That's where you come in:

Please let me know what you think when you get a chance. Any ideas
you have for improvements, changes, a different name (I've had
several people suggest I call it something else, like a 'dictionary',
maybe. Whaddya think?), more ease of use, terms you'd like to see
added, etc, are welcome. Here's what I have so far: Glossary

There's been a lot of demand for something like this; sort of an
abridged 'encyclopedia' of terms used in appliance service every
day. I tend to assume that everyone knows what I'm talking
about, but it can get confusing. This project is an attempt to list
common (and not so common) words and phrases used in the
profession.

Thanks again for inviting me into your inbox. I don't take the invitation
lightly!

As always, if you have any topics you'd like to see discussed here
or covered in an online article, let me know and I'll do my best to
oblige. And don't forget those testimonials and/or suggestions/
complaints/critiques! Many thanks to those of you who've already
sent yours in! You've been very kind!

May God richly bless you and yours, and may He continue to have
mercy on America!

Warmly,

Dave Harnish
Dave's Repair Service
New Albany, PA
drs@sosbbs.com
www.DavesRepair.com

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled,
public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should
be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands
should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again
learn to work, instead of living on public assistance."

– Cicero’s warning to Rome, 65 A.D.
(Didja get that, America? History does repeat itself!)

Acts 17:26
 

Copyright www.DavesRepair.com All Rights Reserved
This information may be reprinted and distributed freely, but
only in its entirety, including this message.