Sharp knocking and displacement of the washing machine body LG or Bosch a few centimeters during the rotation of the drum at high revs indicate a critical imbalance of the internal nodes. This behavior of the equipment is not the norm even for older models, as it indicates the physical destruction of the suspension elements or a violation of the geometry of the tank. Ignoring strong shaking leads to rapid failure of the bearing unit and destruction of the cross, which makes further operation dangerous.
Primary diagnosis should begin with a visual inspection of the position of the device relative to the floor and checking the transport bolts, which are often forgotten to remove after purchase. If the machine is installed evenly, and the fasteners are removed, then the source of the problem lies deeper - in the wear of shock absorbers, the weakening of springs or the deformation of counterweights. Aggressive washing regimes should be stopped immediately until the exact cause of the instability is determined.
Installation rules and inspection of transport fixtures
The most common, but frequent cause of extreme shaking remain transport bolts, which fix the tank in a stationary state for protection during transportation. If they are not twisted before the first start, the drum will not be able to extinguish the inertia, and the body will walk with a walker at any, even minimal pressing. Check the back wall of the device: there should be four holes closed with plastic plugs, and the bolts themselves lie in the package with the instructions.
The second important aspect is the horizontality of the installation and the stability of the support surface. Even a slight tilt to one side leads to an uneven distribution of the load on the legs, which causes resonance. Use the building level to test the plane, adjusting the height of the legs with a key or manually if the design allows.
- 🔧 Make sure all four transport bolts are completely removed from the body.
- 📐 Check the horizontality of the installation bubble level in two planes.
- 🦶 Press on each corner of the body: the machine should not stagger or jump.
- 🧱 Evaluate the strength of the floor: wooden flooring or creaky linoleum can increase vibration.
⚠️ Attention: Operation of the washing machine with transport bolts installed is guaranteed to lead to the destruction of bearings and rupture of the tank within a few months.
If the floor is slippery, it is recommended to use special anti-vibration mats made of dense rubber, which extinguish the primary vibrations. However, it is worth remembering that they will not eliminate the cause of the breakdown, but only mask the symptom if the problem lies in the mechanics.
Diagnosis of shock absorbers and suspension springs
The main load when rotating wet linen is taken over by shock absorbers that connect the lower part of the tank with the bottom of the case. Over time, the lubricant dries in them, and the glands wear out, because of which the rods begin to walk too easily or, conversely, jam. To check, you need to remove the side or back cover and try to squeeze the shock absorber rod with your hand: if it does not resist or moves in jerks, the part requires replacement.
The upper suspension of the tank is implemented by means of powerful springs, which are also subject to metal fatigue. A stretched spring will not be able to hold the tank in the correct position, allowing it to beat against the walls of the body. Visually assess the integrity of the turns and compare the length of the springs on both sides - they should be identical.
Replacement of shock absorbers is a procedure of medium complexity requiring access to the bottom of the unit. New parts are usually sold in pairs or kits, and it is recommended to change them at the same time, even if one of them looks better than the other.
- 🛠️ Remove the side cover to access the lower mounts of shock absorbers.
- 👐 Check the compression force of the rod: it should move tightly and evenly.
- 👀 Check the mounting sites for cracks or traces of leaked lubrication.
- 🔄 Replace shock absorbers with pairs to ensure uniform damping of the oscillations.
☑️ Checklist for suspension checklist
Failures of the bearing unit and cross-section
If when the drum is rotated with the hand, a hum is heard turning into a howl, and when the machine is pressed, the bearings are most likely to have failed. The broken bearing creates a backlash shaft, which leads to the beating of the drum and the strongest vibration, which cannot be compensated by shock absorbers. Often, along with bearings, the odule is also destroyed, passing water to the electrical components.
A cross is a metal detail to which the back wall of the drum is attached. Due to the aggressive chemistry of detergents and high temperature, it is susceptible to corrosion. If the cross is rotten or cracked, the drum is swayed and the centering is broken, causing chaotic beats when gaining speed.
Bearings are diagnosed by swaying the drum up and down with the door open. If a backlash between the tank and the body is noticeable or a metal grinding is heard, a replacement of the bearing assembly is necessary. In modern models, the entire tank assembly is often changed, since the replacement of bearings requires disassembly and sealing of the old tank.
⚠️ Attention: Continued washing with the destroyed bearings will lead to jamming of the shaft and combustion of the engine or control module.
How do you extend the life of bearings?
Use special water softening tools to prevent the formation of scale on the TEN and corrosion of the node. Regularly start the cycle of cleaning the drum at 90 degrees without underwear.
Problems with balances and integrity of the tank
Concrete or cast iron counterweights are attached to the tank with bolts and serve to weight the structure to extinguish the inertia of the pressing linen. Vibration can occur if the mounting bolts are weakened and need to be tightened. A more serious problem is a crack in the concrete block itself, which can cause it to split right during operation.
The plastic tank can also get mechanical damage from a foreign object that has fallen into the drum (bones from the bagel, coins). A crack in the tank violates its tightness and geometry, which immediately affects the balancing. Visual inspection through the removed cover will help to identify chips or water stains in the lower part.
Sometimes the problem lies in a jumped or burst pulley, which transmits rotation from the engine. If the pulley dangles on the shaft, the centering is broken, causing a strong beat. Check the tightening of the pulley's central bolt and the absence of cracks on its body.
- 🔩 Check the tightening of all visible bolts on counterweights and pulley.
- 🔍 Inspect concrete blocks for the presence of through cracks or chips.
- 💧 Look for traces of rust or water under the machine indicating a cracked tank.
- ⚙️ Make sure that the engine pulley sits on the shaft tightly and without backlash.
Effects of overload and uneven distribution of laundry
A washing machine is a complex mechanism that is designed for a certain weight of dry linen. Exceeding the load specified in the instructions does not allow the system to automatically correct the imbalance, and the machine begins to “jump” through the bathroom. Especially critical is overload when washing heavy things, such as jeans or bed linen.
Clothing in one piece of clothing is another common reason. If all things are knocked down in one direction of the drum, the center of gravity will shift, and at a high speed of rotation a powerful centrifugal force will arise. Modern models are able to recognize this failure, spin the drum in the opposite direction and try to distribute things again, but with a strong skew the system may not cope.
It is recommended to observe the middle ground: do not load the machine “to the end”, leaving a palm of free space on top, but also do not wash one small thing that can also be thrown on one side.
Download different sizes together, such as a pair of jeans and a few T-shirts. This helps the linen to be better distributed around the drum and prevents the formation of a lump.
Comparative table of symptoms and causes
For accurate definition of malfunction it is convenient to compare the observed symptoms with possible causes. Below is a table that helps to localize the problem before the disassembly begins.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| The car jumps when you push it. | Transportation |