Appliance Spares
Quick answer: a front loader that has become violently loud on spin — banging, clunking, walking across the floor — with a drum that feels loose or drops when you lift it very likely has a cracked spider arm: the three-armed casting that joins the inner drum to the motor shaft. It corrodes and cracks over years of detergent exposure, then lets the drum slop sideways. On Fisher & Paykel WH-series machines the spider is replaceable as a kit — dramatically cheaper than the new machine this fault usually condemns people to.
Spider, bearings, or just a bad load?
| Symptom | Most likely |
|---|---|
| Occasional thumping with bunched towels/doonas only | Unbalanced load — not a fault |
| Constant rumble that grows over weeks, drum spins rough by hand | Drum bearings — bearing guide |
| Sudden violent banging on every spin; drum visibly slops up-down or side-to-side by hand | Cracked spider arm |
| Machine jumps and walks but is quiet at low speed | Suspension — suspension rod guide |
The hand test is the decider: with the machine off, grip the inner drum at the front lip and lift firmly. A few millimetres of smooth movement is normal. A clunk, a drop, or a visible tilt means the spider or its shaft has let go.
Why spiders crack (and why it’s not your fault)
The spider is an aluminium casting living in a warm, wet, alkaline environment — the perfect recipe for galvanic corrosion. Years of low-temperature washes and liquid detergent slowly eat the arms from the inside until one cracks, usually mid-spin. It is age and chemistry, not abuse.
The parts we stock:
- Fisher & Paykel spider complete kit — WH7560P1 / WH8560P1 series
- Fisher & Paykel spider arm — WH7560 / WH8560 series
The complete kit includes the hardware you should never reuse once corrosion has started. While the machine is open it is the natural moment to inspect bearings and the door seal — everything is already in your hands.
Honest difficulty rating
This is the biggest DIY job on a front loader: the cabinet opens, the tub comes apart, and the old spider often needs persuasion off the shaft. Allow a half day and a second pair of hands for the drum lift. Plenty of confident DIYers do it with the service videos for the WH platform; if that’s not you, supplying the kit to a repairer still cuts hundreds off the bill.
| Path | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Technician (tub-out job) + kit + labour | $500–$750 metro |
| DIY with the kit | Part only — a half-day job |
| New equivalent front loader | $1,000–$1,600 |
Parts that fix this
In stock now and dispatched the same day from Sydney (order before 12pm). Not sure which one fits your model? Find your model number and match it against the fitment list on the part page before you order.
- FISHER & PAYKEL Washing Machine Lip Seal & Bearings Kit WH1060S1 WH1060P1,WH1260P1,WH1260F — $63.55
- Samsung Washing Machine Spider Shaft DC97-14369G WW75H5400EW/SA WW80J4413IW/SA Flat — $99.95
- Haier Washing Machine Lip Seal & Bearings Kit HWF85AN1 HWF95AN1 HWF95ANB1 0177B — $54.95
- Samsung DC97 Washing Machine Spider WD85T554DBW WD85T654DSE WD90T554DBW — $109.85
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep washing on low spin until I fix it?
Briefly, but a cracked arm finishes cracking without warning — and when it lets go at speed it can take the tub, seal and wiring with it. Fix it as the next job, not next month’s.
Black flakes or grey sludge on clothes lately — related?
Often, yes — corrosion products from the dying spider washing out of the tub. It’s a strong early clue.
Drum moved but the noise turned out to be bearings — did I waste the teardown?
No — spider and bearings come apart at the same depth. Inspect both once you’re in; many machines need the pair after a decade.
Is the spider the same on the J and P series?
No — shaft and casting changed between generations. Match by the model number on the door sticker, not by looks. Confirm it here.
Related guides
- Washing machine bearing replacement — worth it or buy new?
- Walking and bouncing on spin — suspension fix
- Washing machine grinding noise — diagnosis
Ready to fix it?
- Run your model number through the Oz Appliance Spares Part Finder — model in, exact-fit part out.
- Browse 3,000+ parts in stock
- Order before 12pm Sydney time → ships same day from our Sydney Northern Beaches warehouse, Australia-wide.
Disclaimer: this article is general information only and is provided without warranty of any kind. Appliance designs vary between models and production runs — always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, switch off and unplug the appliance before starting any work, and confirm parts against the model number on your appliance’s model sticker. Any repair is undertaken at your own risk and Oz Appliance Spares accepts no liability for injury, loss or damage arising from work performed after reading this guide, to the maximum extent permitted by law. If in doubt, use a qualified technician.
