A broken washing machine drum is typically indicated by loud metallic banging, scraping or grinding noises, a drum that wiggles loosely when pushed, clothes snagging on the interior, or the drum failing to spin entirely.
Replacing or repairing a washing machine drum is rarely worth it. Drum replacements typically cost between $400 and $900 for parts and labor. If your machine is older than 5 years, or if the repair cost exceeds half the price of a new unit, you are almost always better off buying a new appliance.
Checking the Washing Machine Drum for Damage
You can test this by carefully rubbing a soft cloth or an old pair of tights all the way around the inside of the drum, feeling for where the fabric is catching as you do so. As shown in the picture below, one of the perforations is damaged and has become a little jagged.
On average, a top-load washer lasts around 14 years, while their front-load cousins average about 11 years. That three-year gap often comes down to the extra complexity of front-load models, which have intricate door seals and drum bearings that see more wear and tear.
Conclusion. The average cost of £150 to £250 for replacing a washing machine drum may not seem too high considering that it is a major component of the appliance.
At 7 years old, a washing machine is roughly halfway through its typical 10 to 13-year lifespan. Fixing it is generally worth it if the repair cost is less than half the price of a new machine and the washer hasn't had a history of frequent breakdowns.
You can tell your washing machine drum is broken by loud banging or grinding noises, excessive shaking, a wobbly drum when pushed, clothes staying soaking wet after spinning, or the drum not spinning at all.
For maximum longevity, Speed Queen is the undisputed gold standard, engineered to last up to 25 years (or over 10,400 wash cycles). For a more mainstream, feature-heavy option, LG consistently ranks highest in brand reliability and owner satisfaction according to consumer testing agencies.
As a general rule, you should repair your washing machine if it is less than 5 to 8 years old and the repair cost is less than 50% of the cost of a new machine. If your machine is older than 10 years or requires back-to-back, costly repairs, replacing it is usually the better investment.
You should run a "drum clean" (or tub hygiene) cycle on your washing machine once a month or every 30 to 40 wash loads. This prevents the buildup of mold, mildew, detergent residue, and hard water scale that can cause unpleasant odors and transfer onto your clothes.
Drum movement
You can test this by placing your hand inside the machine and pushing against the top of the drum. If there is excessive movement and the drum is noticeably moving away from the door seal, this is also an indicator that the bearings need replacing.
Clothes typically stay wet after a spin cycle because the machine cannot drain properly, the load is unbalanced, or a mechanical part is failing.
The most common fault on a washing machine is a clogged drain pump or filter. This prevents the machine from draining water properly, often leaving clothes soaked at the end of a cycle or triggering an error code.
The drum and tub assembly (along with its bearings) is typically the most expensive part of a washing machine to replace, often costing $400 to $800+ including labor. Other major expenses include the motor and the electronic control board.
Why is my washing machine shaking? If you've noticed your washer shaking a lot, the problem could be an overloaded tub, improper installation or leveling issues. During spin cycles, shaking can usually be attributed to an unbalanced washer.
A 7-year-old washing machine is generally worth fixing if the repair costs less than 50% of the price of a new machine and the appliance has been reliable until now. Because the average lifespan of a washer is 10 to 13 years, a reasonably priced repair can often buy you several more years of use.
The 50% rule is a widely used guideline in the appliance industry to help you decide whether to repair a broken appliance or replace it entirely.
The top three washing machines consistently praised by consumer testing labs and appliance technicians for 2026 feature excellent cleaning power, reliability, and smart features.
Choosing between GE and LG washers largely depends on your laundry style and setup. LG generally holds the edge in front-load technology and reliability, while GE shines in simplified smart features and top-load value.
Whether LG or Bosch is better depends on what you value most. Generally, Bosch wins for durability and quiet operation, while LG is superior for smart features, tech innovation, and value.
A broken washing machine drum is typically indicated by loud metallic banging, scraping or grinding noises, a drum that wiggles loosely when pushed, clothes snagging on the interior, or the drum failing to spin entirely.
From scratching your washing machine's basket (which can cause damage to every load), to getting wedged into moving parts and causing mechanical failure, coins can cause a lot of trouble. This goes for most anything that you might find its way in your pocket – bobby pins, pens, screws, loose rocks and gravel, etc.
Overloading the drum
Overloading your washing machine puts extra strain on the drum. Over time this can cause it to break down. If your drum is moving too much or making loud noises, it might be because it's been overloaded. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines on load size to avoid damaging it.