Samsung WA44A3205AW washer drum makes a ratcheting clicking sound in one direction

I’m Mike, an appliance troubleshooting tech, and I can help you track this down.

When it’s actually running a wash or spin cycle, does the ratcheting noise change with load size or speed (for example, only during high-speed spin or even during slow tumbling)?

Can you tell if the sound seems to come from directly under the basket in the center, or more from the rear/bottom of the machine where the motor and pulley are?

Good detail; when you gently rock the basket straight up and down or side to side by hand (washer off), do you feel any excessive play, grinding, or roughness, or does it move smoothly and quietly?

Got it; have you ever had any error codes, unbalanced load issues, or recent repairs (like a replaced clutch, transmission, or motor) on this washer?

Based on everything you’ve described, this points to an internal mechanical issue in the drive system rather than something loose in the tub or a simple balance problem.

Most likely causes on a Samsung WA44A3205AW with these exact symptoms:

1. One‑way clutch / clutch assembly wear

   • These machines use a clutch/one‑way mechanism so the washer can agitate one way and spin the whole basket another way.
   • When the internal pawls/teeth in that clutch start to wear or chip, the basket will often “ratchet” or click in one direction only, even if you turn it by hand with the machine off.
   • The fact that:
     • It clicks only when the basket turns a certain direction,
     • The agitator/impeller itself turns quietly in both directions, and
     • There are no error codes or obvious balance issues,
       lines up very well with a worn or partially slipping clutch assembly.

2. Drive hub / basket spline wear (where the basket connects to the drive)

   • The basket is locked to the drive via a splined hub or coupling.
   • If the splines or mating teeth are worn or cracked, the basket can “jump” over the worn spots only in one direction, creating a ratchet‑like click while the agitator still feels normal.
   • This noise will seem to come from directly under the center of the basket—exactly what you’re hearing.

3. Internal gearcase (transmission) damage

   • Less common, but if gears inside the gearcase are chipped, you can also get a directional clicking when force is applied one way.
   • Because you can recreate the sound just by hand‑turning the basket, it suggests something in that gear/clutch area rather than a motor problem.
   • This is the more expensive scenario, and usually a tech call and cost comparison to replacement is recommended if confirmed.

4. Much less likely: foreign object between tubs

   • A coin or small object trapped between the inner and outer tubs can click, but it usually:
     • Scrapes or ticks in both directions or changes as it moves, and
     • Often sounds more like it’s around the edge of the tub, not right in the center.
   • Since your noise is consistent, always in one direction, and clearly under the center, this is possible but not the top suspect.

Because you’re not reporting vibration, grinding, or looseness when rocking the basket, the tub bearing itself is less likely; this situation fits better with a clutch/hub/gear engagement issue.

At this stage, the practical takeaway is:

• The washer may still run, but that ratcheting usually doesn’t resolve on its own; it tends to worsen and can eventually lead to poor spin, slipping, or no spin.
• Proper confirmation involves pulling the basket and inspecting the drive hub/splines and clutch area, and sometimes the gearcase—work best done by a technician unless you specifically want to tackle a deeper DIY teardown.