I did a brief write-up on these machines on my blog. I sent an email to GE with a few questions, but didn't really get all that much of a resposne. They did confirm that the problem they had with the boot tearing has been resolved. The SmartDispense system is entirely optional, and you must have the pedestals to use the system. However, just because you purchase the pedstals does not mean you have to use the SmartDispense system. There is a drawer on the machine above the control panel if you choose not to use the automatic dispenser. Yes, the components do need to be disassembled and cleaned periodically. GE did not specify how often, although I would think it would have to be twice a year, at the least. Doing this would not require pulling out the machines as the tubs for the additives are stored in the drawer, which can be removed. I have noticed some online retailers are selling these, although they may just be taking advance orders. GE was not able to tell me when they would be widely available. Here is a link that might be useful: New GE Profile frontloaders

YES, there are sealed, water-filled balance rings at both top and bottom of the basket. DO NOT drill holes or try to drain them or the machine will malfunction. The weight of the basket (empty of clothes) must be 23.1 lbs +/- 9.7 oz (or 10.48KG, +/- 275g). If the balance rings leak, the weight is off-spec, the basket must be replaced. The tub is the plastic outer container. The inner part is referred to as either the basket or bowl.

Here's what I found out - mostly, thanks to an experienced repairman at a local appliance parts store. This machine actually has no "snubber ring". It does have a "snubber plate" - actually three of them. They are steel and don't require replacing. Each is kind of a T-Shaped piece of metal that attaches with a pair of springs. (#6 ASSY,SNUBBER in attached diagram) It was suggested that when experiencing noise and/or "unbalanced load" type problem as we were (details re what we were experiencing can be found here: "Always "unbalanced load" on spin?") that it's probable that one of the springs had broken. This seemed a good explanation however, this was not the problem in our case. It turned out to be a simple problem with the sediment tube. The sediment tube (20 in attached diagram) runs up from the bottom of the tub and attaches to a small bracket held on by a screw that secures the spin basket balance ring (11 in attached diagram). That bracket had rusted through allowing the sediment tube to flail around freely inside the drain tub, depending on which side it fell, either pounding the side of the tub when pulled or, when pushed, causing a horrible metal-on-metal screeching and jamming and sticking making it seem like a balance problem. To repair this properly required removing the spin tub which I had been having a great deal of difficulty doing (see my other posts). This was also immediately confirmed by that experienced ol' repairman "Oh, you'll never break those! You need air tools." My solution was not ideal but seems to work. I attached a length of twine to the sediment tube end, wrapped it around the tub a few times tied the ends together. Because this will eventually degrade, come apart and could possibly clog up one drain or another I also attached both ends to the top of spin basket balance ring so that it can easily be retrieved. It now seems to run fine. I'll probably redo this using wire. That solved the possible snubber ring, "unbalanced load" issue but doing so apparently created yet a different problem. (Thanks to www.partselect.ca for diagrams shown).

So sorry. We bought my Mom and matching Right Height dryer over a year ago, to match the Right Height washer that GE replaced under warranty. Knock on wood, it is still working great and she loves them. Her first GE washer gave her a lot of problems for over a year, and when GE finally agreed to replace it, they no longer made her model. They gave her a Right Height one, but then it did not match her GE dryer....so we bought her the matching dryer as a surprise gift :) She is very happy. I however find the build quality and materials very questionable!