Strong vibration and displacement of the body of the LG washing machine during the spin cycle often indicate a critical imbalance of the drum or wear of the fastening units. If your LG begins to “jump” along the floor, rumbles and hits the walls, this is a direct sign that the centrifugal force that occurs when the drum rotates at high speeds has ceased to be compensated by the suspension elements. Ignoring this symptom can lead to tank destruction or engine failure, since excessive load is transferred to all components of the unit.
Initial diagnosis requires immediately stopping aggressive operation and checking basic settings, such as adjusting the legs and removing shipping bolts. However, if external factors are excluded, the problem lies deeper: the shock absorber, the counterweight has burst or the plain bearings have worn out. In this article, we will analyze in detail the technical reasons why the LG washing machine jumps during the spin cycle, and will provide an action algorithm for troubleshooting the problem yourself or preparing for professional repairs.
Primary diagnosis and external factorsBefore disassembling the case, it is necessary to eliminate simple installation errors, which often cause the LG washing machine to vibrate excessively. An unstable position on the floor creates resonance, which intensifies at high speeds. Make sure that the floor under the device is level and solid; soft carpeting or a creaky wooden floor can cause even a working unit to move.
Checking horizontality is carried out with a building level, which is placed on the top cover of the machine in two directions. The height of the legs is adjusted by rotating their lower part, after which it must be tightened locknut to fix the position. If the machine wobbles when you press on the diagonal corners from above, then one of the supports is not touching the floor or is not secured.
⚠️ Attention: Operating the washing machine with loose locknuts on the legs leads to a gradual unwinding of the supports and distortion of the entire body, which causes increased vibration.
☑️ Checklist for initial inspection
Shipping bolts and their effect on vibrationOne of the most common reasons why a new or recently moved LG washing machine jumps during the spin cycle is because shipping fasteners have been forgotten. These bolts rigidly fix the tank to the body to protect it from damage during transportation, but completely block the operation of the vibration damping system during washing. If you don't unscrew them, the car will not just vibrate, but literally jump and make a terrible grinding noise.
There are usually four of these bolts, and they are located on the rear wall of the case. To dismantle them, you need to loosen the fasteners with a wrench and completely unscrew them, and then close the holes with the plastic plugs included in the kit. The bolts should be stored in their original packaging in case of repeated transportation, as their absence during transportation may lead to the tank breaking.
What happens if you forget the bolts?
If you continue washing with the shipping bolts installed, the vibration will be transmitted directly to the housing and motor. This can lead to the counterweights being torn off, the tank being destroyed, and even the engine being torn from its seats. In the worst case, the machine may start dancing and damage communications or furniture around it.
Depreciation system malfunctionsIf external factors are excluded, then the reason why the LG washing machine shakes during the spin cycle most likely lies in worn shock absorbers. These elements dampen the vibrations of the tank while the drum rotates. Over time, the lubricant inside them dries out, or depressurization occurs, which is why the shock absorbers cease to resist movement and begin to transmit jerks to the body.
To check the shock absorbers, you need to remove the top cover and the side wall (usually the right one when viewed from the front). Press the tank from top to bottom: if it moves too easily, as if on springs, and does not return smoothly to its original position, or, on the contrary, is tightly clamped, then the shock absorbers require replacement. Also visually inspect the lower mount of the shock absorbers to the bottom of the car for cracks or detached lugs.
- 🔧 Symptom: The machine hits hard in one direction when spinning.
- 🔧 Reason: One of the shock absorbers has lost resistance or is torn off.
- 🔧 Solution: Replacing a pair of shock absorbers with new original or high-quality analogues.
Problems with counterweights and tank integrityConcrete or cast iron counterweights installed on top and sometimes in front of the tank serve to weigh down the structure and dampen inertia. If your LG washing machine hums and jumps, the concrete block itself may be cracked or loose. A crack in the counterweight disrupts the balance, causing the center of gravity to shift and the car to start jerking erratically.
In addition, it is worth checking the tightness of the bolts holding the counterweights. Due to constant vibration, they can spontaneously unscrew. If you find that the concrete has crumbled or has deep chips, the element needs to be replaced. In rare cases, the cause is a crack in the plastic tank, which leads to its deformation and disruption of the rotation geometry.
⚠️ Attention: When replacing the counterweight, be sure to use a thread locker, as vibration during spinning causes the fastening bolts to quickly unwind.
Bearing and shaft wearWhen your LG washing machine makes noise during the spin cycle and vibrates a lot, this may indicate critical wear on the bearings. A broken bearing allows the drum shaft to play, which creates strong vibration that is transmitted to the entire unit. A characteristic sign of this malfunction is an increasing hum, similar to the sound of an airplane taking off, which intensifies as the rotation speed increases.
You can check the condition of the bearings by opening the hatch and trying to rock the drum up and down. If play is noticeable or a metallic knock is heard, it means that the bearing assembly requires replacement. In modern LG models, the entire tank assembly with bearings is often replaced, since pressing them in at home requires special equipment and skills.
The main sign of bearing wear is a metallic hum, which increases when the drum accelerates, and play when the drum is rocked by hand.
Heating element defects and laundry imbalanceSurprisingly, the reason why the LG washing machine jumps during the spin cycle may be the heating element (heater). If a thick layer of scale has formed on the heating element, during vibration, pieces of lime may break off and fall between the tank and the drum. This creates a mechanical obstacle that disrupts the balance and causes strong impacts.
It is also worth mentioning the banal imbalance of linen. If you wash one heavy item (such as a jacket or rug) without other items to distribute the weight, the machine will not be able to distribute the spin load evenly. Modern LG models have an automatic imbalance detection function and can slow down, but old equipment or electronic failure may not cope with the task.
- 🧺 Skew: Washing one heavy item shifts the center of gravity.
- 🧺 Scale: Scale fragments between the tank and the drum cause knocking.
- 🧺 Foreign objects: Bra bones or coins can get stuck and upset the balance.
Fault comparison tableTo quickly navigate the problem, use the table below, which systematizes the symptoms and probable causes.
| Symptom | Probable Cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| The car jumps, a loud knock | Transport bolts | Low (on your own) |
| Vibration, “walking” on the floor | Shock absorbers are faulty | Medium (tool needed) |
| Rumble, vibration, drum play | Bearing wear | High (tank replacement) |
| Rattling, body distortion | Counterweight crack | Medium (part replacement) |
| Knocking, uneven spin | Lime/object ingress | Low/Medium |
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
Why does my LG washing machine only jump during the spin cycle?
During spinning, the drum develops maximum speed (800-1200 rpm). Any imbalance, loose fasteners or wear of shock absorbers is manifested precisely under the influence of high centrifugal force. At low speeds these defects may not be noticeable.
Can I use the washing machine if it vibrates a little?
It is strictly not recommended to operate equipment with strong vibration. This leads to accelerated wear of all components, including the motor, bearings and electronic board. In addition, vibration can damage flooring and communications.
How to check the shock absorbers of an LG washing machine without disassembling?
It is difficult to check completely without disassembling, but you can open the hatch, press the top edge of the drum down and release. If the tank bounces several times (like a ball), the shock absorbers do not hold up. In good condition, the tank should return to its original position in one movement without inertial oscillations.
What to do if the car is level, but still jumps?
If adjusting the legs doesn't help, the problem is internal. Most often this is wear on the shock absorbers, a broken counterweight, or a problem with the bearings. Removal of the side cover is required to visually inspect the internal components.
Helpful Hint: To further stabilize the machine on a smooth floor, you can use a special anti-vibration mat or footrests. This will not solve the problem of breakage, but it will reduce the noise level and prevent scratches on the floor.