A shaking washing machine is worrying. It probably felt like the floor was about to crumble underneath and the sound could make the building feel like it was about to crumble. Do not be afraid! Most likely your clothes are not evenly distributed in the drum. Another common cause is uneven machine legs. This problem is very easy to solve. If the engine still vibrates after you level the legs, you may need to replace the shock absorber. This repair is quite difficult for ordinary people to do. If you have a problem that you can't handle on your own, ask a repair service provider for help to solve it.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Leveling the Washing Machine
Step 1. Place the spirit level or better known as the spirit level on the washing machine near the front
Check which side is tilted by looking at the bubbles on the spirit level. The inclination of the bubble indicates that one side is higher than the other.
- New washing machines usually don't have adjustable rear legs.
- It is better to raise the leg than lower the leg. So, fix the legs that are too high.
Step 2. Lift the washer and place the wooden block on the underside of the front of the machine
Disconnect water and electricity by unplugging the machine. Pull the machine approximately 0.6 to 1 meter from the surrounding wall. Lift the machine with the support of the rear legs and place a block of wood on the underside of the front of the machine. Lower the machine slowly so that the front of the machine is on top of the block.
- If the machine is still unstable, add one more block next to the first block so that the machine's weight is evenly distributed.
- You can use a brick or other hard object if you don't have a block of wood.
Step 3. Turn the bolts on the engine legs using a wrench to adjust the engine front legs
Start adjusting the higher leg. Turn the bolt at the top of the machine leg counterclockwise using a wrench or bird pliers until it loosens. Rotate the base of the foot clockwise.
Step 4. Tighten the bolt over the base of the leg to lock it in place
Use bird pliers or a wrench to turn the bolt clockwise. Twist until tight. The feet of the machine will be locked and will not move when you put the machine down.
You can experiment with lowering your feet and checking the slope again or you can measure each leg using a tape measure. You may not be able to just rely on your eyes to see the difference in the height of the legs of the machine
Tip:
Some new engines do not use lock bolts. You can adjust the foot of the machine by turning it and you don't have to worry about locking it.
Step 5. Lower the washer and check the spirit level
Remove the block of wood and lower the washer. Place the spirit level on the washing machine and check for air bubbles to see if the washing machine is level. If so, try shaking the machine. If the engine does not move, you have successfully leveled it. If the engine wobbles, but the front is level, you will need to adjust the rear legs.
Step 6. Place the spirit level on the control panel on the back of the machine to check the rear legs
Most modern washing machines have rear legs that adjust the height automatically. Machines older than 10 years may not have adjustable rear legs. If the air bubble is in the middle, the rear leg of the machine does not need to be readjusted.
- When the hind legs are balanced, tap each leg 2-3 times with a wrench or bird pliers. There may be some rust or dirt stuck to the auto foot adjuster joint.
- If the control panel is rounded at the top or at an angle, place a spirit level in front of it.
Step 7. Use the same process with the front leg to adjust the back leg
Use a spirit level to determine which leg is higher. Lift the machine slightly and insert a block of wood under it. Adjust the higher leg on the back to lower it using the same bolts and tools you used for the front leg.
Step 8. Tap the foot adjustment joints if the rear legs of the machine cannot be adjusted
If you lift the machine and find that the rear legs of the machine adjust automatically, lint and rust may accumulate on the rear legs so that the legs do not move. Gently tap the legs of the machine using the back of a wrench or bird pliers to remove rust and dirt.
You can also spray the engine legs with engine lubricant or hinges. Wipe off excess grease after you've applied it to the foot area near the engine frame
Step 9. Lower the machine and try turning the cycle without filling
Remove the block of wood and lower the machine back down. Push the engine back into place and start it empty. If the engine does not shake, you have successfully leveled it. If it still vibrates, you may need to replace the shock absorber.
Method 2 of 3: Performing a Simple Repair
Step 1. Move the clothes around in the middle of the drying cycle
If the machine starts vibrating during the drying cycle, pause it. Open the door to check the distribution of clothes. If there is an unbalanced pile, the drum may bundle your clothes into an unbalanced ball. Spread your clothes and continue the drying cycle.
- If the washing machine keeps shaking, remove some of the clothes. It is possible that the load you put in is too heavy.
- If the washing machine is constantly making unbalanced bundles of clothes, the drum may be absorbing uneven weight because even the machine is in an uneven state.
Step 2. Cut down on the clothes you put in the washing machine
It could be that the machine holds too many clothes even though you think it doesn't seem so. You should only load the garment until the drum is half full so that the garment has room to move when the drum rotates. For front loading washing machines, stack clothes higher in the back of the drum and do not place them near the door.
Too many clothes can also make clothes less clean
Tip:
Front load washing machines have a harder time flattening clothes when the drum is spinning. Top load washing machines can generally handle more clothes. If you want to buy a new washing machine, choose a top load washing machine if possible.
Step 3. Try shaking the machine when it is not in use to see if it lifts and shifts
To see if the machine is balanced, place your hands on the top of the machine. Try pushing from one side to the other. If the machine wobbles or moves just a little, your machine is uneven and the drum vibrations make the machine feet hit the floor again and again. Find a flatter part of the floor and move it to that location. See if the problem is resolved.
If even your tumble dryer isn't level, it's likely your floor is the problem. Try finding a flatter area in your home to place the machine or place a wooden plank under the machine
Step 4. Locate the bolts used to secure the machine during shipping on the back and bottom of the new washer
Open the front loading washing machine and try pressing the drum down. If it does not move at all, the delivery or installation crew may forget to remove the bolt used to secure the drum during shipping. Tilt the machine. Look at the bottom and back. Look for plastic clamps inserted into openings or bolts.
- These bolts ensure the drum does not move during shipping and installation. If left behind, the bolts can make the engine shake.
- Depending on the engine type and model, these bolts can be hidden behind the back panel. If the back panel is retractable, lift it up to see if there is any plastic stuck to the drum.
Step 5. Remove the bolts used to secure the machine during shipping by hand or wrench
Remove the bolt by squeezing the handle and pulling it. If the bolts are attached to the panel, use a wrench. Turn the bolt counterclockwise to loosen and remove it. Sometimes, you can remove it without tools.
The bolts used to secure the machine during shipping are usually brightly colored so they are easily visible. These bolts are usually made of cheap plastic. These bolts will look odd on the engine
Method 3 of 3: Replacing the Shock Absorber
Step 1. Order a shock absorber from the engine manufacturer
Use the model and brand number printed on the machine to determine the type of machine you are using. Contact the manufacturer and order the shock absorber.
- Shock absorbers are small coils or pistons that absorb vibrations when the drum rotates. This tool also connects the drum to the engine frame. There are 2, 4, or 5 depending on the engine model.
- The make and model are usually printed on the front of the machine, but this information can also be printed on a metal plate on the back of the machine or on the inside of the machine door.
- Shock absorbers on new models must be installed by a professional. Read the engine manual to see if the front panel can be removed to access the shock absorbers.
Step 2. Cut off water and electricity
Locate the cold and warm water hoses at the back of the engine. Turn the drain faucet until it is completely closed. Disconnect the power by unplugging it.
Water hoses are usually thin and made of rubber. Sometimes these hoses have blue and red taps on top close to the joints in the engine frame
Step 3. Remove the front panel of the front load washer
Ask the manufacturer or read the engine manual to find out how to remove the front panel. To lift the panel, remove the rubber bulkhead around the drum and remove a few screws under the panel.
Remove the bottom panel of the top load washer. You have to tilt the machine to do this. Prevent scratches on the surface of the machine by placing the machine on a carpet or towel
Tip:
If you remove the bottom panel on the top load washer and you see the spring rolling, the suspension stick has fallen off. Put it back in the center of the drum and reassemble the machine. This is the source of the washing machine shock and noise.
Step 4. Remove the shock absorber using a wrench or bird pliers
Locate the shock absorber by looking at the sticks that connect the drum to the engine frame. Remove the bolts that attach each stick to the drum and frame. Remove the stick and set aside. Maybe they don't look damaged, but the coil inside one of them may be damaged.
- Some shock absorbers have pins that lock them to the drum and frame. If any of the pins fall off, reattach them. This is likely the cause of the engine shaking.
- If you have 5 shock absorbers, one of them is likely on the back. You may not be able to access it without the help of a professional.
Step 5. Insert the new shock absorber and tighten it
Insert the shock absorbers into their respective places. Install by tightening the bolts after you insert them into the holder. Tighten the bolts using a wrench or bird pliers by turning them clockwise until they stick.
Step 6. Reinstall the panel and try your machine
Replace the panel and screws in place. Replace the rubber bulkhead and open the drain. Plug the machine back in and start the regular wash cycle. If you hear the engine rattling, it's possible that the bolts haven't been attached to the shock absorber. If the engine is still rocking, but not rattling, you may need to replace the drum.
Replacing an engine drum is usually not worth the price and you should ask an engine repair company to determine the cost of replacing a drum. Generally, this is not a problem that ordinary people can solve
Tips
- Place wooden planks under the washer and dryer if the tumble dryer also shakes as the possible source of the problem is an uneven floor. Purchase a piece of flat wood plank from a building store. Use a spirit level on each surface to make sure the wood is level. Unplug the washer and dryer and turn off the water by closing the faucet. Insert the wood into the bottom of the washer and dryer so that they both stand on a more even surface. This job is very difficult to do alone. Ask a friend to help lift.
- If your house is very old and the washing machine is not in the basement, the problem may be serious. Go down to the floor under the location of the washer and dryer. Pay attention to whether the floor bends when the machine vibrates. If so, contact the contractor; the floorboards may need to be replaced.
