Washing machine shaking violently during spin
easy 20–60 min
Tools: spirit level, adjustable wrench or pliers, flashlight, torque or socket set (for transit bolts) · Materials: anti-vibration pads, replacement shock absorbers or suspension rods if worn
Steps
- Wash a normal mixed load: a single heavy item like a bath mat or a duvet unbalances any machine, and that is not a fault.
- Put a level on top front-to-back and side-to-side; screw the feet in or out until it is level and every foot touches the floor, then tighten the lock nuts.
- On a machine less than a year old, check the back for shipping bolts — they must be removed, and forgetting them is the most common cause of violent shaking.
- Push each top corner: the machine should not rock. A rocking machine is on an uneven or soft floor; anti-vibration pads under the feet help on suspended floors.
- Look underneath a front-loader with a flashlight: the two dampers should be tight and dry; oily streaks or a loose damper mean they are worn.
- Reduce the spin speed for heavy loads and split big items across two loads.
Stop and call a pro if
- the drum knocks against the cabinet or moves side-to-side when pushed by hand — bearings or the spider are worn
- the machine walks even when level and correctly loaded
- there is a grinding or rumbling noise on spin
What a pro does that you can't
An appliance technician replaces the dampers or suspension springs, checks the concrete counterweights for cracks, and tests the bearings — a bearing job on a front-loader is often where a repair-or-replace decision is made.
DIY cost: $10–30 for pads; $30–80 for dampers