Front-load washers leave the factory with bolts that lock the drum in place for the trip. If the bolts are still in after delivery, the washer can shake, bang and move across the floor on the spin cycle. Whirlpool says leaving them in can cause extra vibration and noise, and can damage the machine.
The fix is usually a wrench and a few minutes. Top-load washers don't have these bolts.
Before you start
- Unplug the washer. If it is still being installed, leave it unplugged until the bolts are out.
- Slide the washer out slowly and just far enough to reach the back. Watch the hoses and the power cord.
- Washers are heavy. Ask someone to help if you need to move it.
Steps
- Check the drum. Open the door and push the drum. With the bolts out, it feels like it hangs on springs and has some give. If it feels solid, almost like it is fixed to a rock, the bolts are probably still in.
- Look at the back of the washer for the bolts. Many front-load washers have four, some have three, and Samsung says its FlexWash models have seven. Your manual shows how many yours has.
- Loosen each bolt with a wrench or the spanner that came with the washer. Whirlpool lists a 5/8 inch (16 mm) wrench.
- Slide each bolt and its plastic spacer to the center of the hole, then pull both out from the back.
- Fill the holes with the plastic covers that came with the washer, if you have them.
- Keep the bolts and spacers in a bag, in case you move the washer later.
- Level the washer. Rock it by hand. All four corners should feel solid. If one corner wobbles, adjust that leg, then tighten its locking nut. Samsung says to keep the legs as short as they can be while every foot touches the floor.
- Leave about 1 inch of space between the washer, the wall and the dryer, then plug the washer in.
- Run a small test load, or a rinse and spin. Samsung also suggests spreading bulky items out by hand, because an uneven load can make a washer shake.
When to stop
Stop and call a repair service if any of these happen.
- You can't find the bolts, or your manual says your model has none.
- A bolt won't loosen, or you would have to force the washer or its hoses to reach the back.
- The washer still shakes after the bolts are out, the washer is level and the load is small. Stop and call a repair service.
- You see a leak, a damaged cord, sparks or a burning smell. Unplug the washer and leave it off.
Sources
Steps based on manufacturer support pages; your model's manual comes first.