Kenmore 110.28002011 purchased in October 2011 suddenly sounds like an airplane is about to land during the spin cycle. Agitate seems normal volume. Based on internet searches, replaced splutch and belt, no noticeable improvement. While I was down there replacing them, I noticed some black specks on the floor and inside the old splutch that look like black plastic. A few seem to be curved. (Almost like rodent feces, but not quite, also we've not noticed any indication of rodents in the house.) Maybe related? Based on where they were, seems easiest to have fallen out of the thing the splutch mounts to (bearing? basin bottom? maybe the gearcase?) but I suppose they could have come from the motor area and ridden the belt there. Belt had no abnormal wear, but it was replaced anyway.

I'd really appreciate any guidance on what to do before my wife goes to the appliance store with the credit card.