If your washer has a loose drum, the chances are that you are hearing loud banging or grinding noises. You may also see some error codes on your washer's display screen. Alternatively, you may feel that your washing machine is malfunctioning or that it has stopped working altogether.
Open the door and evenly distribute the load, avoiding heavy items on one side. If your machine has an adjustable weight balance, use it. If not, manually adjust the load. Start a spin cycle and observe for any wobbling or excessive vibration.
If you want to check to see if rods are bent - put the washer into a spin cycle with NO CLOTHING in basket. If the basket goes off balance during spin - that means the rods are bent and will need to be replaced.
You will be able to see the counterweight on top of the tub inside the machine, and you can check if it's loose by feeling the washers that hold it down. If the washers are loose, the counterweight will be loose as well.
Experiencing a loose washer drum that's making a racket during your wash cycle is certainly not ideal. This issue could be a result of several factors such as worn out suspension springs, a faulty shock absorber, or loose drum bearings.
Fix an unbalanced drum on a washing machine by redistributing the laundry evenly inside the drum. Check that the machine is on a level surface and adjust the feet if necessary. Look for any worn suspension springs or shock absorbers to replace them.
The most common reason your washer makes banging sounds during the spin cycle is that an unbalanced load has thrown it out of whack.
The quickest way you can diagnose this issue is to switch off your washing machine at its power source and then spin the drum gently by hand. If you hear a grinding noise during this operation, the chances are high that it's your bearings that need attention.
The washer isn't balanced correctly
Some front-loading washers can even sense if they're not balanced properly, and won't spin as a safety precaution—so if you have a front-loading washer that won't spin, this is one of the first things you should check for.
The shock absorbers or drum bearings of older or outdated washing machines can become worn out over time, leading to internal imbalance that can cause the washer to shake. Take a look inside the washer and make sure the basket or drum of your top- or front-loading washer is visibly centered in the opening.
Your washer has sensors that detect if it is out of balance. It will then undergo a "correction" process to try to help the washer return to balance. This process involves adding extra water and agitation to try correct the out-of-balance situation.
Uneven Distribution of Clothes
It's a common scenario: you load the washer, start the cycle, and suddenly, it won't stop thumping and shaking! Most often, this happens because items like heavy towels or sheets clump together during the spin cycle, which throws the drum off balance.
Do this by turning off the washing machine and placing a level on the top of the machine. If it isn't level, adjust the feet of the washing machine until it is. You can adjust the feet by turning them clockwise or counterclockwise to raise or lower the washing machine, respectively.
A small amount of washing machine shaking is normal, particularly during the spin cycle. However, your washer shouldn't “walk” across the floor and you shouldn't hear thumping, banging or loud vibration. If a washer is installed and used properly, excessive shaking is unusual and there may be a simple fix.
Check Suspension Springs or Damper Struts: Washing machines have suspension springs or damper struts that help stabilize the drum during the spin cycle. If any of these components are damaged or broken, it can lead to unbalanced loads. Inspect them visually for any signs of wear, damage, or detachment.
If you can move the washing machine drum around quite a bit with your hand, this is known as 'excessive play' and also indicates worn drum bearings, or a worn drum shaft. However, if it only moves at one particular point then it's more likely to be a broken or corroded drum spider – see image below.
While it might seem alright to use your washing machine with worn-out bearings for a short while, it's generally not advised due to several risks: More wear and tear: Faulty bearings can make the drum wobble excessively, putting extra strain on other parts like the basket, shaft, outer drum, and even the motor.
The most likely culprit is the suspension rods. These rods help to limit the amount of side to side and front to back movement that happens when a washer enters the spin cycle. As these rods age, they no longer work as intended and need to be replaced. Unfortunately, this is a very involved repair.
Washing machine drum replacement cost falls between $350 and $550. Replacing the inner drum of a washer is one of the more costly repairs. Drums only require replacement if the tub has become damaged or has a manufacturer defect.
Often, bearings can cost between £100 and £200. This is just the cost of the spare parts. You also need to consider the cost of labour to help make your decision. However, for older machines with multiple issues, exploring the option of upgrading to a new, energy-efficient model might be a more prudent choice.
Average washing machine lifespan
Well, this figure obviously varies depending on lots of different factors - including brand, model, how you use it, and how well you maintain it. But generally, if you look after your washing machine properly you should it expect it to last anywhere between 7 and 12 years.