If your washer sways back and forth like it’s walking, it may be time for a new one. If an unbalanced load is not the culprit, a damaged snubber could be the cause of the noise.
Remove the agitator cap and look for a pad-like device that sometimes has a suspension spring in it.
- Clogged Drain Hose
A clogged drain is one of the most common washing machine problems. Small fabric fibers routinely get flushed down the drain hose, and these clogs can cause water to back up into the stand pipe and overflow on the floor.
The first step to take is to disconnect the hose from the machine and inspect it for any visible blockages. Look inside the hose and remove any obvious clogs using gloves and pliers. Then, use a drain snake or auger to break apart and dislodge the remaining clog material.
Shut off the water supply before you do this to prevent flooding your home. Once the clog is gone, reconnect the hose and test it by pouring several litres of hot water down it. If the water doesn’t drain, it’s time to call a professional.
- Damaged Snubber
If your washer makes a banging sound during the spin cycle, you likely have a damaged or worn snubber. This is a plastic ring or lubricated felt pad that sits under the leg and dome assembly to absorb vibration during the spin cycle. It can wear out, become brittle or dislodged from the leg and dome assembly over time, and this causes your washer to shake excessively during the spin cycle.
To repair this, unplug your washer, remove the front panel and inspect the snubber. It’s best to do this with a pair of pliers or a strong pry bar. Be careful not to touch the suspension springs while removing the panel as they’re under tension and will snap back quickly. If the snubber is worn or brittle, it should be replaced.
- Damaged Suspension Unit
If you’re not loading your washer properly or the machine is unbalanced on the floor, a banging noise during the spin cycle may indicate that a suspension part needs repair. You can examine the suspension components (on front- and top-load machines) if you remove the washer cabinet. Look for cracks, loose screws, and other signs of wear that could prevent the tub from moving smoothly during the spin cycle.
Also check for a broken rear suspension spring, which lets the tub tip too far forward. You can replace this at an average cost of around $100.
Annual preventive maintenance can reduce repair costs over the lifetime of your appliance. That includes checking the water fill hose for cracks, blisters, or discoloration and replacing it when you notice a leak.
- Damaged Basket Support Nut
Occasionally, the basket support nut can break off inside of the washer tub. This can cause a banging or rubbing noise during the spin cycle. It can also damage the laundry, so replace it.
Easily repair this problem by applying red loctite to the bolt and “peening” it. This is a process that involves hitting the nut with a mallet to ding the threads and surrounding metal. This makes the nut so hard that it can’t back itself out.
Another option is to weld a new nut in place of the old one. This is a bigger project and requires welding skills, but it might be worth it if you want a permanent solution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, you might be able to find a fab shop that would do it for you.
- Faulty Main Control Board
A faulty control board can prevent the washer from progressing through a cycle. If you suspect this is the case, first try a master reset. This involves turning off the washer, waiting for one minute, and then switching it back on.
If the washing machine is shaking and vibrating during the spin cycle, the problem may be a damaged set of bearings. It’s best to leave this type of repair to a professional.
It’s also possible that the water pump filter is clogged. This can cause the washer to leak. It’s important to clean the filter regularly to keep it working properly. The water pump is expensive, so it’s typically more cost-effective to replace the entire pump than to repair it. The main control board and UI board may also need to be replaced.washing machine repair
