Kenmore 417.44102 is 5 yrs old. The other day, it started making a banging noise on final spin. I can manually turn the stainless tub, but do hear a grinding noise, as if the tub is rubbing against something. Ran a full load today....everything's fine until the final spin: it bangs like crazy and doesn't seem to reach full hi-speed spin and there's small gravel-like dark grey flecks coming out in the sink with the rinse water. The shocks must be ok because the machine doesn't bounce around or travel. Am I doomed?

Hi: The spider holding the stainless steel tub is broken. Most likely corroded to the point where structural failure has occurred. Do not use the washer until fixed, otherwise you will damage both the font outer halve as well as the rear bearing. (If not already damaged)
Gary

Yes, Sears repair just ordered one for mine. Entire tub due to bearings gone. Also just over 3 years old and ext warranty ran out in June. Final inspection before warranty was scheduled in June 2010. July the bearings are gone. Hmm wonder how they missed that? Anyway if you call for service, ask about the maintenence plan. Its way cheaper than labor and tub and u have another year for more issues with this piece of junk washer.

indicates that the tub support rods have failed at the air dampners
the fix is new rods from the service agent spares and a re levelling if the tub ,not the machine

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED THE 800 NUMBER AND HAD WHIRLPOOL SEND ME ALL OF THE PARTS THAT WERE STILL UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED. WHIRLPOOL SENT ME EVERY PART, INCLUDING THE STAINLESS TUB, THAT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I NOW HAVE REPLACED ALL INTERNAL PARTS EXCLUDING THE MOTOR.

POST THE MODEL NUMBER PLEASE

Check the Vibration damper rods to be sure that...
1. They are there and mount is solid.
2. If they are broken in 1/2.
3. The plastic knuckle mounts are not missing/broken.
4. There is oil in the shock absorber/spring section of the rods.

Also - there are suspension springs on the bottom of the tub that could be broken and/or missing.

Replace/repair as necessary.

Thanks for using FixYa - a 4 THUMBS rating is appreciated for answering your FREE question.

how old iss your washer? do you have an owners manual. because usually there is an extended factory warrenty on the tub and basket. the only thing you would have to pay for would be the labor. Call whirlpool if you do not have a owners manual to find out. the bearing is compressed in the tub. does it sound like an airplain taking off in your house that's usually it.

If your machine produces a lot of banging noises when in a permanent press final spin you may be experiencing a broken spider. It is a part which is not made from stainless steel metal, but attached to a stainless still drum (tub spin). So, when it is soaked in water all the time during a normal operation of a washer it creates a galvanic element between a stainless still drum and itself. This results in severe corrosion of the "spider" and then leads to it's breakage. To check if you have a broken "spider" open the door of the washer and try to kick your internal drum back and forward while rotating it slowly.If you will hear clicking noises (metal to metal) in some position of the drum it means that your spider is broken. The replacement of this spider will require complete disassemble of the drum. Most likely you will end up replacing this whole part
Drum assembly, spin basket Part # 131618500Another way is get just a spider part, it's doable, but may be tricky.
Cheers!

One of the support arms on the back of the spin basket (stainless steel tub) is broken and causing it to spin in the fashion you describe. The only fix is to replace the spin basket. Using it in its current condition will cause serious damge to the outer tub shell. Let me know if you decide to replace it or need assistance locating a replacement tub. I can assist you in how to disassemble the washer and how to reinstall a new tub. Sorry...I wish this was better news.

you may have a dampening shock that is bad