Washer Front Outer Tub Assembly 3550ER0004F

Requires some mechanical skills

Be sure to check and replace both bearings, seal, large O-ring, and spider support for the inner metal tub. Tub should completely seat into the back outer shell before attaching the front outer shell. Tub should spin freely when it is assembled.

Ease of Installation

Difficult

Duration of Installation

30 minutes - 1 hour

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

I ordered the wrong part - caused big problems.

This was one of my worst nightmares in appliance repair. Despite numerous warnings all over the internet, I did not pay attention to suffix letters at the end of part numbers. So the new part did not fit without modification. In the new part, there was no hole for the water temperature sensor, so I had to drill one. You only get one chance here, because obviously you can't drill the hole twice if you get it wrong. There was also an extra attachment for a drain hose, but my washer didn't need it. So I had to plug it. Very risky, because there would be a massive flood if this failed. The original part was marked only as 3550ER0004 with no suffix letter. Even if I had been aware of different versions with different suffix letters, I would have no way of knowing the differences. Perhaps Sears should emphasize the differences and show it in the photos. Otherwise it is the luck of the draw and there is a high likelihood that I could order the wrong part. This could easily happen all over again because there is no way that I can see to prevent it. So my advice to DIYers, is to heed the suffix letter thing. A visual comparison would help, but that means I can't order the part in advance before I dismantle the appliance. So for me, this problem is unresolved.

Ease of Installation

Very Difficult

Duration of Installation

More than 2 hours

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

easy way to save money

For someone somewhat mechanically inclined that has tools at their disposal, it is not a problem. For my application, I needed to drill a precise hole in a precise location for the water temperature probe. Web videos are very helpful and your phone camera is your best friend too to take pictures along the way to be sure to know which screws belong where and the positioning of parts and wiring when you are putting it all back together. Getting the new boot for tub and door was the most time consuming and difficult to get right. Removal and replacement of the water heater was a little tricky too, but not difficult. For drilling the hole for water temp probe, I recommend using a Forstner drill bit of the required size as it will give you a very nice clean hole to use.

Ease of Installation

Moderate

Duration of Installation

1 - 2 hours

Part not correct

This tub was suppose to fit my washer. The tub had an extra port on the front bottom and was not drilled for the temp sensor. Had to modify to work. Pain in my caboose, but other than that the price was ok

Ease of Installation

Very Difficult

Duration of Installation

1 - 2 hours

Lots of screws

Fairly easy. 10 mm ratchet wrench with long extension fits almost everything. Left the back half in the machine just to the springs of and the dampeners always change the rubber gasket between the drum half's!

Ease of Installation

Moderate

Duration of Installation

1 - 2 hours