hi am john (uk) on a washing machine you have 2 dampers / as you call them suspension rods but i know what you mean but they are only there to assist the springs that attach to the drum if the springs have gone weak they need replaced really should do them all together dampers & spring’s see the the springs take the full load of whatever you have in the machine its the same as a car / motor vehicle the springs hold the car off the road the shock absorbers help take the thud out of a heavy bump in the road! hope that helps you out the springs will be attached to the drum and the top of the washing machine casing normally just under the top cover

NONE ? why do you want to bypass it for it is there for a reason if i am think right I COULD BE WRONG IT IS THERE TO STOP ACCESS TO THE MACHINE WHEN IN OPERATION for the likes of kids / children messing around

hi am john from the uk ? does your dryer it must have two elements in it ? when its on low only one will be switched one on high both will be on you can verify this with a clamp on amp meter only put the meter around the main live connection it will show the 2 readings of low and high you may be able to borrow a clamp on amp / current meter from a friend or local electrician you should get 2 different readings one higher than the other other than that it sorry to say sounds like your thermostat again or element but if it was the element it would not heat up at all it have a safety cut out switch normally on the back of the machine you press it in to reset it its incase it ever got blogged up or no airflow through the machine ?