Thread: Noisy Spin Cycle - Frigidaire Front Loader

Model Number: FWT449GFS1

Brand: Frigidaire

Age: More than 10 years

When my machine reaches the spin cycle, it emits a rather high-pitched, constant whining/scraping noise that sounds like there is contact somewhere with a metal object. I removed the back, manually turned the fly wheel, and determined the sound was coming from the motor, not the drum, and it seemed to be coming from the brushes. I removed the left brush from the motor, turned the flywheel, and the noise seemed to stop.

I removed the right brush, cleaned them, oiled the spring a bit, and cleaned the shaft of the motor where the brushes makes contact. I reassembled everything, ran a cycle and the whining gradually returned.


I'm not a mechanic, so I don't know what a worn brush looks like, but the contact surface was smooth, the spring seemed to be functioning properly. I am thinking the easiest solution is to replace the entire motor . . . but as my history on this forum will prove, my instincts might be wrong! Best I can tell, the motor runs around $120 and I am happy to replace it, unless there might be something obvious to one of you experts that I am missing.

It doesn't look like I can buy brushes manufactured for the existing motor and even those I found would run about $60.00 for a pair . . . and the motor is over 10 years old, so don't have a problem spending the money for a new motor with new brushes.

Anything I might want to check before ordering a new motor?

Thanks, Experts.