Lynn, I have had the same problem, stripping down the pump, releasing the main rubber pipe from the drum to the pump there were keys, coins and odd pieces of junk obviously collected from the wash. Removing these has corrected the noise, which was really unbearable at times. To get to the pipe remove the rear access plate and you can work from there, no need to dismantle the pump, but you do need some large pliers to compress the pipe grip. Useful if you can tip it forward balanced against a wall, take care not to damage the dial.
Niel
July 2008
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