Spin cycle problem

It sounds like the bearings are going bad. Try spinning the drum with your hand while it is empty. It should spin nice and smooth. If the rotation feels a little rough and noisy, you might have a problem. You can double check by taking the drive belt off and try shaking the pulley. If there is "play" when shaking the pulley, the bearings are most likely toast. The inner stainless drum rides on two bearings which sit in the rear of the outer plastic drum. The whole plastic drum and bearings come as one piece and go for $150. It would cost about the price of a new maching to have someone come out and repair it for you. It sounds like kenmore has had a bearing problem which is pretty rediculous considering how much these things cost. Sears said, "those tend to go in a few years", which is criminal especially since the warrenty is usually conveniently exopired by the time this problem happens. If you are handy, have a spare day, and can remember how to put a washing machine back together, go for it. I did it and it was not a fun time. There is a lot of sharp metal edges in the machine so wear gloves. good luck

gnarly, do you have the updated motor, harness and start cap? If it goes into spin and does this chunk a chunka chunka bit. Take a meter to the white and white/red wire going to the motor. If you have a steady 120V, replace the motor with the new kit. What the motor is doing is jogging between high to low speed. Catriver..post back.

If the washer is making a squealing noise, the problem is more likely to be the basket drive. If it is more like a rattling sound, the centerpost bearings are probably worn out. Open machine's rear panel and spin the basket manually by turning the drive pulley, to find out from where exactly the noise come from. Defective part should be replaced. Good luck !!