My front loader LG washer is ~8 years old. It still seems to wash fine, but bearings are worn out so it makes some noise when turning and bangs during spin cycle if even a little uneven. Recently, it has also started to make a strange screeching type noise when water is filling the tub.

I had a repair guy that I trust out a few months ago to assess, and he noted the bearings and suggested that repair is more costly than buying new. He also said that there is an uncertain risk around the bearings freezing one day, which can break something inside the washer, allow the water to spill out, so the washer just keeps pouring water in because the sensor never shows full. That would obviously be bad and possibly terrible if no one was in the house to manually shut off the washer/water.

He said it may never happen, but there is some risk once bearings start to wear out.

When your washer starts to similarly wear out, how long do you let it go? To failure? When noises are too annoying? Part of me wants to go ahead and get a replacement now before the current one breaks and causes bigger issues, but that could also leave usable life on the table.

What say you?

2006Dec Cabrio ... 6 in house
2011Nov Duet
2017Jul LG ... still going strong but down to only 2 people in house

So you are doing better than us and reading a crystal ball here (lousy water), you are OVERDUE and
DESERVE to be pampered. Shop hard on line and never fear - so many offer overnight-2day delivery & setup/cart-away these days.

A few years ago our GE started to make a very loud hum on spin cycle and our appliance repair guy said there was a crack in the drum mounting bracket. Over $800 to replace. He said go buy a whirlpool or maytag or if we can afford it get a speed queen.

agnerd said:

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Yep, get a new one.
I'd get the cheapest top loader they have at home depot. My cheapo is going on 19 years and still works great. I think it cleans better than front loaders too.

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This. The koreans will all wear out in 7-8 yrs. Buy an old school white cheapo from HD. I'm convinced Asian appliances are a wealth transfer program.

agnerd said:

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Yep, get a new one.
I'd get the cheapest top loader they have at home depot. My cheapo is going on 19 years and still works great. I think it cleans better than front loaders too.

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+1

We were gifted a probably new (1 year old) hand me down set with a front loader a year or two ago to replace our 20 year old hand me down washer and dryer. The front loader is horrible, and we're planning on switching back. Thankfully we kept the old set in the garage.

Replaced the bearings on my ~9yr old Samsung front loader 6 months ago or so. Cost me about $40 for parts (I work for a bearing company, so got those essentially at cost) and took 3-4 hours. If it's just the bearings it isn't that big of a deal.

Yes, you have to disassemble half the washer, but none of it is difficult.

If you have the budget for a Speed Queen it's worth every penny. Solid washers like they used to make. No frills just reliable

Interestingly, this guy claims that Speed Queen is #3 in reliability. LG is the best:

The Most Reliable Top-Load Washers (2023 Update) (yaleappliance.com)

agnerd said:

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Yep, get a new one.
I'd get the cheapest top loader they have at home depot. My cheapo is going on 19 years and still works great. I think it cleans better than front loaders too.

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You can get a refurb on fb marketplace for 300 or less if you don't care about that kind of thing.

Sea Speed said:

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agnerd said:

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Yep, get a new one.
I'd get the cheapest top loader they have at home depot. My cheapo is going on 19 years and still works great. I think it cleans better than front loaders too.

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You can get a refurb on fb marketplace for 300 or less if you don't care about that kind of thing.

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If you're taking that approach, check local estate sales as well. Every single one I've seen includes a washer & dryer, and frequently a fridge, for sale.

Thats where my perfect condition fridge for a rental came from for $300