Appliance Spares
Quick answer: The most common faults on the Samsung WA11M8700 top loader are worn suspension rods ($83.95 for the full four-rod kit — the fix for banging and off-balance spins), a failed lid lock switch ($69.85), and a clogged or failed five-way inlet valve ($48.95). All three are in-stock parts available for next-day dispatch from Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Not sure which one fits? Match your model number or check the sticker inside the door.
Suspension Rod Kit (4x) WA11M8700GV/GW — $83.95 ·
Lid Lock Switch WA11M8700GV — $69.85 ·
Lid Lock Switch WA11M8700GW — $69.85 ·
5-Way Inlet Valve WA11M8700GW — $48.95 ·
5-Way Inlet Valve WA11M8700GV — $48.95 ·
Pressure Sensor WA11M8700GV — $29.95 ·
Not sure which part? Use the Part Finder
Common faults on the Samsung WA11M8700
The Samsung WA11M8700 is a large-capacity top loader, and its failure pattern is very different from a front loader’s. There is no door boot seal to perish and no belt to snap — instead, the classic ageing fault is worn suspension rods. Four rods hang the inner tub assembly from the corners of the cabinet, and the dampers built into them wear with every load. When they go, the machine announces it: violent banging during spin, the tub slamming the cabinet on an unbalanced load, and a machine that walks across the laundry floor. The suspension rod kit is the single most requested part for this machine, and it fixes all of those symptoms in one visit.
Before ordering parts, locate the model sticker — on this machine it is under the lid or on the rear panel — and note the full model code including the letters after WA11M8700. The GV and GW versions use different lid lock and inlet valve assemblies, so the suffix matters. The suspension rod kit below suits both.
| Part | Symptom | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
 Suspension rod kit (set of 4) | Loud banging during the spin cycle; tub striking the cabinet on unbalanced loads; machine rocking or walking across the floor; spin aborting or the machine repeatedly adding water to rebalance the load | $83.95 | Buy suspension rod kit |
 Lid lock switch (GV variant) | Machine won’t start a cycle; lid light flashing; lid won’t release at the end of the cycle; spin refusing to engage because the lid never registers as locked | $69.85 | Buy GV lid lock |
 Lid lock switch (GW variant) | Same symptoms as above, for the WA11M8700GW/SA — check the letters after your model number on the model sticker before ordering | $69.85 | Buy GW lid lock |
 5-way inlet valve (GW variant) | Machine won’t fill, fills slowly, or fills on some programs but not others; detergent or softener not flushing from the dispenser; water trickling into the tub when the machine is off | $48.95 | Buy GW inlet valve |
 5-way inlet valve (GV variant) | Same symptoms as above, for the WA11M8700GV — the five-way valve feeds the separate dispenser circuits, which is why a single failed solenoid can break one function while the rest still work | $48.95 | Buy GV inlet valve |
 Pressure sensor | Machine overfills or underfills; cycle stalls at the fill stage; wash starts with too little water for the load size; erratic water levels from one cycle to the next | $29.95 | Buy pressure sensor |
Diagnosis guide – Samsung WA11M8700
- Start with the spin behaviour. If the machine bangs, shudders, or walks during spin — even with a normal, balanced load — the suspension rods are the prime suspect. First rule out the basics: check the machine is level and that all four feet are firm on the floor, and make sure a single heavy item like a blanket isn’t wrapping to one side.
- Do the tub push test. With the machine off and the lid open, press down firmly on the edge of the inner tub and release. On healthy suspension, the tub settles almost immediately. If it keeps bouncing or rocks freely from side to side, the dampers inside the rods are worn and the full set of four should be replaced together.
- Test the lid lock. Close the lid and start a cycle. If the machine never begins to fill and the lid light flashes, the lid lock switch has failed. A machine that washes but refuses to spin can also point to the lock, because spin will not engage unless the lid registers as locked.
- Check the fill circuits one program at a time. The five-way inlet valve feeds separate circuits for the wash fill and the dispenser functions. If the machine fills on a normal cycle but won’t flush softener, or vice versa, a single solenoid in the valve block has failed — the fix is the complete valve for your variant.
- Watch the water level. If the machine overfills, underfills, or stalls at the fill stage with the taps confirmed open, the pressure sensor is the likely fault. Check the small air hose running to the sensor for splits or kinks before replacing the sensor itself.
- Confirm the supply before condemning any part. Slow filling is caused by blocked inlet hose filter screens more often than by failed valves. Turn off the taps, remove the hoses, and clean the screens with a soft brush before ordering.
Fitting the parts yourself
Top loaders are generally friendlier to work on than front loaders, and the WA11M8700 is no exception. Suspension rod replacement needs no tub split and no special tools: the rods hang from the four corners of the cabinet and are reached by opening the top of the machine. Each rod unhooks from its seat at the top and from the tub support at the bottom, and the new one drops in the same way. Replace all four in one session — fitting one new rod against three worn ones leaves the tub unevenly supported and the banging comes back. Budget about an hour, and have a second person steady the tub while you swap the rear pair.
The lid lock switch and inlet valve both live under the top panel and are simple swap-outs once the panel is off — two of the quickest repairs on this machine. The pressure sensor is similarly accessible. Work with the machine unplugged and the taps off, photograph connectors before unplugging them, and match the GV or GW suffix on your model sticker to the listing before ordering. If you’d rather hand it to a technician, the parts prices above mean the parts side of the bill stays modest either way.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Samsung WA11M8700 bang during the spin cycle?
Worn suspension rods. Four rods with built-in dampers hold the inner tub steady, and once they wear, the tub swings far enough to strike the cabinet — especially at the start of spin. The four-rod kit listed above suits both the WA11M8700GV/SA and WA11M8700GW/SA, and replacing the full set restores the factory damping.
Can I replace just one suspension rod?
It is not worth it. The four rods wear together, and one fresh damper working against three tired ones leaves the tub unevenly supported — the banging usually returns within weeks. The kit contains all four rods, and the labour to fit four is barely more than the labour to fit one.
Why won’t my WA11M8700 spin?
Two common causes. If the lid light flashes and the machine won’t enter spin, the lid lock switch has failed — the machine will not spin unless the lid registers as locked. If the machine instead keeps pausing, adding water, and retrying before finally giving up, it is trying to rebalance a swinging tub, which points back to the suspension rods.
What is the difference between the GV and GW versions?
They are separate versions of the WA11M8700 that use different lid lock and inlet valve assemblies. Check the model sticker — under the lid or on the rear panel — and match the full code (WA11M8700GV/SA or WA11M8700GW/SA) against the product listing. The suspension rod kit suits both versions.
Is it worth repairing a WA11M8700 or should I replace it?
Almost always worth repairing. The suspension rod kit is $83.95 and every other common part on this page is under $70 — a small fraction of the cost of a new large-capacity top loader. Suspension wear is a maintenance item, not a sign the machine is dying: with fresh rods, an otherwise sound WA11M8700 has plenty of service life left. Multiple concurrent electronics failures on the main board would be a different calculation.
Related
- Samsung WA13M8700 parts
- Samsung WA10J8700 parts
- All Samsung washing machine parts
- Part Finder Quiz — enter your model number for matched results
- Browse all WA11M8700 parts
Ready to fix it?
- Locate the model sticker — under the lid or on the rear panel — and note the full code: WA11M8700GV/SA or WA11M8700GW/SA.
- Note the fault the machine is showing — banging on spin, lid not locking, fill problems, or erratic water levels.
- Select the matching part from the table above, or use the Part Finder if you’re unsure.
- Add to cart at ozappliancespares.com.au — orders placed before the daily cut-off ship same day from Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
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.
