I just moved to a new house, and after setting up my washing machine it now shakes a lot while running, like it moves itself 3 or 4 inches sometimes. It seems to really shake for a 5-15 seconds then runs normal for a while. No real discernible pattern.
I’ve already tried leveling it and making sure the feet all hold some weight, but it’s still happening. It’s an older style top loader with an agitator.
Any ideas on how to stop the shaking?
If it is a new washing machine there are breaks screwed into the back of the machine.
They are put there so the drum does not move during shipping from the factory to the customer, maybe they were also put in when you moved. If they remain in the washing machine motor is fighting against the break pads and the machine will shake violently. Please look at the manual or search on the internet how to take them out.
Thanks, I’ll take a look. It’s not new and I doubt the movers put them in but could be
Sounds to me like the drum might be floating really loosely inside the machine. It not spinning dead center is gonna cause the weight to be thrown around and move everything.
Thanks for the idea! Is that something I can go in, recenter, and tighten?
Are the feet set properly? They usually screw in and out. Try rocking it and see if you can adjust the feet lengths so it doesn’t rock when shaking it.
Yeah I’ve adjusted all the feet and made sure the top is level as best as I can with a 48” bubble level with all feet carrying some weight
Is it a side loader? The drum has springs that connect the drum to a weight in the back. Check if all of the springs are connected. If one is loose, the machine will vibrate like crazy.
Nope, it’s a top loader. Someone else mentioned springs though so I’ll look into that
Top-loaders can be suspended with springs too. The springs connect to metal anchors on the base, and the anchors may each have a plastic insert with multiple notches allowing for different levels of spring tightness. A plastic insert could actually have broken and need to be replaced.
I have a top loaded Samsung washer, and just replaced its four spring rods, which really helped with the shaking and bouncing issues.
I’ll look into that, this is an Amana machine. Not particularly fancy but about 7 years old at this point and has worked great until now
I had the same issue with the same solution after I moved my washer.
I didn’t previously know that it’s important to clamp the springs when moving a washer, otherwise the springs experience years of wear during one truck ride.
I replaced the springs and had a like-new washer again.