Mike was on the phone with store when I read Liveoak's post and found the rod.  The store owner had already agreed to bring out an equivilant washing machine (the first was a GE) in a Kenmore.  When Mike told him about the rod he said "the installer sure should've pulled it out...try it and see if it work's".  So Mike said ok and hung up...then he called right back and said no we want the new one.  We were afaid it would've damaged something.  So the same installer brought the new one out right away and said "it's a good thing you didn't keep it cause it probably would've caused problems down the line".

Immediately did a load of laundry and it worked great