I have a LG front loading direct drive washing machine (WM1812CW) that is 5 years old that is making a loud knocking noise during the spin cycle and is emitting a burnt smell after the cycle ends. Clothes appear clean and washed but I found a piece of rubber (1 ft long) in the machine on this last load (Noise and smell has occurred on last 3 loads).

SOURCE: LG WM1812CW washer smell

same washer, same problem -- attempting to clean rubber gasket with baking soda after each day's laundry and leaving small amount of baking soda in the washer. Cannot leave the door open as the door to the garage would hit it when opened

SOURCE: LG WM-1280 DD front loading washing machine

When the unit is off, open the door and spin the drum, does the noise occur? If the answer is no then there is nothing wrong with the bearings. Chances are the hall sensor on the motor is on the way out. Call for service and ask them to replace it. Make sure you are using a "HE" branded detergent,,,, less is best.

Sgt 48

ALBERT GARCIA

• 975 Answers
• Posted on May 18, 2009

SOURCE: Burnt Rubber smell and spin cycle didn't work

the main motor needs to be serviced , sounds like the couplings broke , hope this helps , AJ

SOURCE: LG WM0642H front load washer making a loud vibration-type noise

mc not level

SOURCE: LG WD-8050FH LOUD noice when spinning & 'funny' burning smell!!

I had the same symptoms and almost dismantled the whole machine to locate the root of the cause. The issue was one of the 3 arms of the spider (like a 3 spoked wheel that connects to the rear of the drum and holds it in place and provides the drive shaft to through to the motor at the rear), had snapped after weakening from corrosion due to undissolved washing powder building up in the grooves.
To prevent this, do a hot wash every few weeks to dissolve the powder, don't think your saving the environment by using only cold washes, this should be in every washing machine manual to save the environment from waste from un-economically repairable appliances.
The burning smell was the unbalanced drum leaning heavily on the rubber shroud on the front between the drum and the outer casing. The replacement spider part was only about AU$60-80.

To check if this is the problem you may be able to tell by opening the door, and reaching in from the front with your palm up about a hand distance till you go past the rubber shroud and just touch the stainless steel drum. Grip it gently with your four fingers and pull towards the front (to you) about 1cm or two, with about as much force you would need to open the machine's door. Rotate the drum approx one third of a rotation and repeat, do this 3 times and you should feel one point give more than the others.
If no luck try again in sixths of a rotation, you can gauge the distance by the 3 plastic agitators attached on the inside wall of the drum.

Note: get a price on labour first to replace the spider, as this will be probably more than half way to a new machine, and then the cost of the part, and the call-out fee if you can't get it into a service centre.

What's the point of having a long lasting stainless steel drum when the key part that connects the drum to the motor is a weak cast iron / alloy part.
Ask your local service person what units have quality parts before buying a new machine.

ps: the loud noise is probably the cracked arm rubbing or the unbalanced drum hitting the sides and making the machine jump.

Hope this all helps!