The straps function to control the tub from excess oscillation during both agitation (when water sloshing can occur) and spin. Overloading is not so much a factor, small loads can cause oscillation as much as large loads.

I just read some comments on washer straps; it appears that if any are broken then all should be replaced at the same time. Failure to replace could lead to further problems with the washer. Also, should probably get genuine GE parts. Reviews on off brands are very mixed. The reason for replacing all at the same time is that the old ones have stretched.

Thanks to you both! But what if I don't replace them..can this cause a flood? Remember that this is a condo used a few months of the year, and the machine is old..was here when we bought the place and repairman thought it was minimum 15 years old. It is not the money, it is just that I feel taken advantage of by the repair person and would rather not bother fixing the machine unless it is dangerous in that it can cause flooding. Other option is to see if a local handyman can do it for a lot less $$$. All the straps are broken, by the way.

Not sure how broken straps could ever cause a flood unless the machine went so far out of balance that you wore holes in the tubs.

He gave me a long explanation about how the water cold rise up in the tub and overflow onto the floor... taking advantage of my ignorance. Thank you for your response, which makes me feel a lot better.

There are videos on you tube detailing this simple DIY repair.

I would order parts and fix it!

MRB

Of course it could leak or flood. All that shaking...anything can happen.

I wouldnt even consider using it until it is repaired. If you are on an upper floor, and it did overflow, you could also cause expensive damage to the condo below you. In any case, damages to your own condo, would end up costing you far more than replacing those straps. Shaking can cause the pump and other things, to get jiggled, and it could start leaking underneath.

I can't fix it myself. I watched several youtube videos and would be too anxious. Those of us that have spent most of our lives in apartments, with supers and handymen, are often not skilled in home repairs! I will see if I can get someone to fix it.

Hmmm.....I'm a DIY'er and I've never had a washing machine strapped down. In order to flood it seems the machine would have to be so off-balanced during a spin that the maching would 'walk' far enough to pull on the hoses. I'm sorry, but I don't understand how not having straps could make the tub overflow.

I'm assuming you have a top-load washer.

My guess is that condos and apts are required to have a washer strapped so that it doesn't gradually end up against a wall from unbalanced spins. The hoses or the maching contacting the wall would cause a good bit of wall noise for the neighbors.

About once a month I have to pull my washer back in alignment with the dryer....so I guess I could use some straps. : ) Yet I've never had an installer suggest using them, even in earthquake prone Calif.

annztoo, washing machines have straps to hold the tub in place, inside the washer, so it doesnt walk all over, or jiggle. Machines are never in balance with those straps broken. It isnt the washer itself, that needs to be strapped down. When the tub straps are broken, it makes parts rub together, and it could very likely result in a leak, or other expensive repairs to the washer itself.

Yes the machine isn't strapped down. I assume Ann that although you are a DIY'er you've never did a DIY with a washer.

You're right cat, I thought she was referring to the machine itself. Thanks for the info! I've never gotten that far inside the washer to see strapping or had the problem.

I havent ever had that problem either.

The four straps, which mount to the machine's inner tub and the corners of the outer cabinet, function to dampen oscillation/twisting of the tub during both agitation and spin. A full tub of water could conceivably slosh enough to spill over. The potential for spill-over with broken straps can be eliminated by running small-fill loads but there can still be enough oscillation during spin for the tub to impact the cabinet in instances when it ordinarily wouldn't.

Question is should broken straps be replaced. Answer is the machine is designed to operate correctly with all suspension components intact. Answer is not was he/she wanted to hear ... so why ask?

I've been using the machine just fine with the broken straps. Never knew they were broken til the guy came to clean the dryer vent and took a look at the machine. Question is: Can using the machine with the straps broken cause a flood?

Does stop the washer from working

I don think those broken straps are a problem. i found my GE coin washer has all four straps broken yesterday. it has been running like that for at least 5 years. And it is going to be runing with no straps in the furture.