Debate: front load vs top load washers - which one do you hate fixing less?

I swear I used to fix more top loads back in 2018, but now it feels like every other call is a front load with a moldy gasket or a bad door lock. Did something shift in the last 6 years like manufacturers pushing cheaper front load designs, or are people just buying them more now? What's your take on which one actually gives you less headache on a Tuesday afternoon?

3 comments

3 Comments

mark_green2d ago

Solidarity brother. Front loads are a nightmare on a Tuesday or any other day really. That rubber gasket design is just asking for trouble and the door lock failure rate is insane. Top loads at least you can see what's going on and slap a lid switch in without losing a finger. I feel your pain on that 2018 to now shift, the manufacturers definitely cheapened out across the board.

thea6022d ago

Hold up, are you sure about those door locks being a common failure point though? I've worked on a ton of these and it's usually the control board or the drain pump that goes first, not the lock. That rubber gasket is definitely a mold magnet, you're not wrong there, but the lock mechanism itself is pretty solid on most brands. The cheapening out part I totally agree with though, they're using thinner metal and less robust suspension springs compared to pre-2018 models.

stella_scott962d ago

Exactly. The control board and drain pump are way more common failures. But here's the thing. When the lock does fail it's a nightmare because you can't even open the door to bail out the water. So the lock gets labeled as a common issue because it leaves you stranded. Plus those rubber gaskets trap moisture and the lock housing gets corroded over time. That's not really the lock's fault but it still makes people think they're junk. And yeah the suspension springs are total garbage now. Had a set snap at 18 months on a brand new machine. Didn't even have that problem on my old one from 2015.