How to replace shock absorbers on a Candy washing machine
Quite often, people repair the shock absorbers of their automatic washing machines themselves, and even those with no experience can do it. However, replacing the shock absorbers on a Candy washing machine is a completely different matter, as the design of this "home helper" makes it much more difficult to work with. In this situation, you'll first have to disassemble the machine, remove the electric motor, drive belt, and the shock absorbers themselves. We'll explain how to handle this job yourself, without the help of a service center technician.
Getting to the dampers
It's usually easy to tell when your washing machine's shock absorbers need replacing—just monitor how it operates. If your appliance starts making a loud humming noise during washing, vibrating heavily, or bouncing, these are all signs that it's time to remove the old shock absorbers and install new ones.
Do not use an automatic washing machine with faulty dampers, as this may lead to a worsening of the situation and further damage to key system components.
However, don't rush into buying new spare parts right away, as the theory about dampers gradually failing needs to be confirmed or refuted first. What can be done to achieve this?
Disconnect the equipment from all communications.
Remove the drain and fill hoses.
Move the device to the center of the room to gain free access to all sides of the housing.
Drain the remaining waste liquid using a drain filter.
Remove the household chemicals tray.
Disconnect and set aside the rear wall, having first removed the fixing bolts.
Remove the drive belt from the drum pulley and motor.
Disconnect all wires from the engine.
Just in case, it’s a good idea to take a few photos of the correct wiring connections – they will be useful during assembly.
Loosen the electric motor clamps.
Carefully pry up the fasteners with a screwdriver to release the stuck joints.
Finally, carefully remove the engine.
Once the motor is removed, you can begin replacing the dampers. This is because they can only be conveniently removed from the bottom of the machine. Be sure to cover the floor with rags or towels, then lay the washing machine on its right side.
How to remove a broken or jammed part?
The shock absorbers in Candy cars are so difficult to remove because they have special fasteners in the form of expanding plugs, which is why they are sometimes called nails. A piece like this goes right through the shock absorber and the plates that hold the element at the top and bottom. This expansion plug appears to be completely smooth, which is why it is difficult to remove from the device.
Repair technicians recommend avoiding attempting to work on the retainer from the other side, as this increases the risk of damaging the fragile plastic part. Therefore, a more sophisticated approach is needed—improving these complex shock absorber fasteners. How can this be done?
Take a drill bit 2-2.5 millimeters in diameter and 20 centimeters or more in length.
Using a drill, drill a small hole in the middle of the cork, about three centimeters deep.
Screw a small screw into the prepared hole so that it remains approximately 4 centimeters on the surface.
Using pliers or a similar tool, grip the newly installed screw and pull it towards you.
Carefully remove the screw together with the expansion plug.
Remove the damper itself from its mounting location.
The removal instructions for the second shock absorber are the same, except you'll first need to turn the Candy washing machine on its left side. While you're working, try to find a drill bit that's the perfect size, not just in diameter but also in length. If you're unable to remove the shock absorber this way, you'll have to remove the wash tub and try again.
Installation of a new part
There is no point in trying to restore old struts; they can only be replaced with new spare parts. It is advisable to buy only original parts so that they not only fit your "home assistant" well, but also last longer than analogues and Chinese counterfeits. To avoid making a mistake, you can remove the old dampers and take them with you to the store as a reference. You can also simply write down the model and serial number of your washing machine to show to the sales assistant. What should you do once you have the parts?
Insert the shock absorber forcefully.
Make sure it fits neatly into the grooves provided for it.
Install the previously improved plug in place, carefully driving it into the damper hole through the two partitions.
Switch the drill to reverse mode to remove the screw from the expansion plug.
Check that the fasteners are installed securely.
Repeat the instructions for the second shock absorber, which will require turning the car over onto its other side.
Put the wash tub back in place if you had to remove it earlier.
Install the electric motor and secure it with clamps.
Connect all wires to the engine.
Place the drive belt on the pulley.
At this point, the repair is complete, so all that's left to do is place the Candy washing machine back in its usual location and test its operation. Activate the spin cycle, selecting the maximum drum speed, and carefully monitor the operation of your "home helper." If the cycle runs smoothly and without any vibrations or bounce, everything is fine. Otherwise, simply tighten the shock absorber clamps.
Quite often, people repair the shock absorbers of their automatic washing machines themselves, and even those with no experience can do it. However, replacing the shock absorbers on a Candy washing machine is a completely different matter, as the design of this "home helper" makes it much more difficult to work with. In this situation, you'll first have to disassemble the machine, remove the electric motor, drive belt, and the shock absorbers themselves. We'll explain how to handle this job yourself, without the help of a service center technician.
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