Kenmore 417.41102000 Drum rubbing against gasket and vibrating

[RandyC]

Model Number: 417.41102000
Brand: Sears Kenmore
Age: 6-10 years

My Kenmore Elite front load washer has heavy vibration/banging when it reaches the fastest spin cycle. I opened the door and had smoke inside the drum from the drum rubbing on the front gasket (I think). When you take your hand and manually turn the drum, at one point there is heavy contact with the rubber gasket and a squeal noise. When it makes a revolution, the clearance between the drum and the gasket is different at different points. I took off the top and the rear panel. The bearings, pulley, and belt on motor are in good shape. The 4 shocks seem to be in good shape. The two springs on the top holding the plastic outer drum seem to be in good shape. Any help will be appreciated! I need to get it diagnosed so that I can get the correct part/parts ordered. Thanks.

[Wiggler14]

This sounds similar to the issue I am having with my Kenmore front loader.
I'm just starting to tear into it but suspect one of the arms on the "spider" has corroded and bent or broke which is causing the drum to sag causing it to rotate in more of an elliptical motion rather than round.
My model uses a direct drive though and not a belt/motor.