How to replace Samsung washer suspension damper rod part # DC97-05280W 

To all who watch this video: It is fantastic, and specific to Samsung top load washers. The video gave me the 'courage' to attempt the procedure, and I ordered the parts. Here are a few extra tips: 1 - Do what they say! Buy a set of 4 dampers and replace them all. Trying to replace 1 or 2 is a false economy. You can buy 4 for the price of 2 singles anyway. 2- Wear latex gloves - they will give you better grip on the dampers when removing. They have ugly thick grease on them and you cannot get a good grip without the gloves. 3- A 2" putty knife is perfect to 'loosen' the front clips, but pay attention that you have to put a little pressure on the side of the washer top to make them pop easily. 4 - Do NOT scrimp! Tape down the top, for sure! 5- Build your confidence by replacing the two front dampers first. 6- Pay attention to the routing of the back right damper, which is supposed to have the pressure line wrap around it, and there is a retaining clip on the pressure line to hold it in place relative to the damper. 7- To be safe and sure, remove the electrical access panel on the back of the washer as well, to ensure you do not crimp or cut the plastic pressure hose when you tip up the top to perform the service. 8- Have a second set of hands available to shine a flashlight down to highlight the lower tub retainer that holds the damper. You won't waste their time! 8- Be certain, when inserting the new dampers, that the springs are pushed all the way down onto their retainers, and make certain they are inserted below the tub retaining clip. 9- Finally, to build confidence after doing all this, do a light unbalanced load (a shirt and a towel are best, because they are mismatched weights. Run them through a full cycle. It will help the damper rods settle, and help the motor and clutch re-align. Then put through a medium load, and repeat; before trying a full load. Time to perform the service by a novice like me? 45 minutes, including waiting 5 minutes to get someone to hold a flashlight, and another 5 minutes to have my wife find latex gloves! If I can do this, ANYONE CAN!

Fantastic video, super crisp and to the point, well shot and spoken. Thanks for the help. Side note: While you have the top off the machine, it's not a bad idea to take the plastic ring off the top of the drum. There are I think 8 or 9 screws holding it in place and it lifts straight off. There might be a bunch of gunk under there you can clean off quick and easy.

Perfect instructions. Thanks so much.

Awesome, clear instructions. My wife is going to love me after this fix. Will keep you posted on this project.

Great video. Thanks for great tutorial I just replaced mine today due to constant Ub error codes. I bought 4 new rods from your site as well. Quick delivery for me. One of the old springs was malformed I hope that was the root cause. So far 2 loads ran successfully after replacing. Hope it holds true for a while longer.

great tuto i was able to replace the rods and everything is working great since

Fantastic instructions! I was able to change mine out in record time and they work perfectly. Thank you!!

Awesome! Thanks for the clear instructions. I was able to replace the shocks on my Sears Kenmore branded model 592-29222 and the problem is fixed.

Do we need to grease the rod or does it come greased when we purchase them new? Also, isn’t a second sticky grease needed down near the spring?

Is there supposed to be grease on the upper pivoting retainer? I just took a peek with a flashlight under the cover and the top retainer/pivot had grease on it and a little on the rod. It was seen on the two front retainers. I know that greasing them will attract dirt and dust and will soon cause problems. That's why Whirlpool suggested NOT to grease or oil them prior to installing. Instead they provided sleeves that snap in.

Thanks for great information because I paid over $300 and now I see the parts are not expensive. But is there one on all four corners?

Do all Samsung top load washers have locks in the front? I can’t seem to fit anything in between mine to unlock it. I unscrewed the back and can lift the back part but not the front.