Siemens XLM1400 very loud knocking noises.

[Bob Ashdown]

Siemens XLM1400 very loud knocking noises.
During the spin cycle my elderly machine makes loud knocking noises and given room the whole machine will actually move.
It’s ok on the wash cycle and only happens when attempting a fast spin. The machine is level and the feet are adjusted, there’s no play between the inner and outer drum.
I can only think that this is a suspension problem as when I open up the casing the drum does seem to have a lot of free movement. My problem is I don’t have the experience to know what movement is normal and what is excessive.
I could just go out and by new shock absorbers and springs, I’ve got the part numbers from Siemens website (Springs 00642529, shocks 00448032) but these parts are not so readily available nowadays so come at a price, a price where the money might be better spent on a new machine?

So my question is this likely to be a suspension problem and how do I determine what parts have worn
Many thanks for reading. 🙂

[electrofix]

Re: Siemens XLM1400 very loud knocking noises.

not so parts quite cheap

non gen shocks
https://shop.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/43bs06- … k-absorber

you will not need springs unless they have snapped

take the lid off the machine with the plug out
place you have on top of the drum and push down
try to bounce it like a ball. if its hard to do that then shocks ok but if it moves easily and you can make it move a lot then they need changing

Bad news is that the job is not that easy. The shocks in this machine are placed on the tub before the 2 halves come together. This means the top pin of the shock has to be drilled out so the pin holding it can be snapped. then the new units are fitted using the pins inserted from the rear

Dave

[Bob Ashdown]

Re: Siemens XLM1400 very loud knocking noises.

you will not need springs unless they have snapped
That’s worth knowing :tup:

And yes the drum bounces easily so its new shocks then which I’ll order from your link which is good as the money will goes to ukwhitegoods 🙂

I’m ready for the challenge!

Thanks very much Dave it’s much appreciated 😀

[electrofix]

Re: Siemens XLM1400 very loud knocking noises.

finding pictures to help you is not easy but have done a few screen dumps from this utube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0IvLcCh8mw

this person is stripping the tub but you do not need to go anywhere near that far
you need to remove the front of the machine to get access and drill the tub still in place

look at the 2 pictures I have got off the video

the yellow arrow shows the pin that has to be removed and the blue one is the direction you drill from. This pin is a moulded part of the front tub. If you look at the second picture you will see where you have to drill but you only need to drill into the front have of the pin to break it off the tub front. The drill I use is 13mm but I think bosch want something like 13.2mm which is hard to get but if you drill in and move round a bit then put something in the hole to tap out the remaining pin
if you look at the other picture you can see what your aiming at

when you have got the old shocks out the new ones have plastic pins. you can wet them a bit to aid installation but they go in from the rear of the machine

you will have to move pipes and wires out your way so as not to damage them

hope it helps a bit

Dave

[Bob Ashdown]

Re: Siemens XLM1400 very loud knocking noises.

Dave
Thanks so much for taking the time doing this it will really help.
Parts have been ordered
Cheers! :tup:

[Bob Ashdown]

Re: Siemens XLM1400 very loud knocking noises.

Parts have arrived 🙂
Can I just go ahead and use the 13mm drill or is it best to use a series of smaller bits and build up to 13mm?

[electrofix]

Re: Siemens XLM1400 very loud knocking noises.

I would use 3 or 4 and build up. It’s more accurate that way
You only have to drill in about an inch. Just enough to break the pin off

Dave

[1totalshambles]

Re: Siemens XLM1400 very loud knocking noises.

Hopefully it is the suspension problem but I suspect it isn`t / will not be. Could easily be a spider crack near the hub or not a crack as such but where the steel shaft joins the alloy spider- the steel and alloy rot at that point; had both several times. Doing the woggle the drum test by hand will often prove to be inconclusive its NOT like your typical Hotpoint WM57 spider fracture on these things where it is obvious. Beware of even doing the suspension fix because if you have not got a spider or bearing problem, i.e. I`m wrong! I very soon may be proved to be right! You`d be better off taking the original legs to 2 separate pieces – which they will disassemble- and replacing the internal worn friction pads by stuffing the original suspension legs with greased cotton wool to at least try that first ( it does work I can assure you ) then take it from there – so long as there is tension between the top part of the bottom suspension leg and the bottom plastic bit the machine should be fine in spin; least pro tem to prove a point.
Wish you all the best of luck.

[Bob Ashdown]

Re: Siemens XLM1400 very loud knocking noises.

Fortunately it was the shocks they were well knackered 😀
Followed Dave’s instructions, took my time and it ended up being fairly straight forward.
Many thanks for your help :tup:

[electrofix]

Re: Siemens XLM1400 very loud knocking noises.

no probs

your household is quiet again lol

Dave

[Bob Ashdown]

Just a quick post to say thank you to this forum for all the help over the years
I’m pleased to say the washing machine is still working ok (touch wood) but now needs a new door seal so I’ve ordered one from this website.
Thanks again
Bob:)

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