If the drum of the washing machine begins to wobble during the spin process or from rocking when it is turned off, then there is no reason for premature worry. The machine tank, together with the drum, is suspended on springs at the top, and at the bottom has supports in the form of shock absorbers.
This allows the entire structure to move in three possible directions. And if the drum dangles during the spinning process, you should not compare this with a catastrophic problem. You probably overloaded your SMA, and it had to respond with chatter.
Additional signs of concern
A breakdown should be suspected if the drum play during spinning begins to be accompanied by certain symptoms:
- the unit rattles, and most of all - when spinning clothes,
- during the spin process, the drum begins to knock on the body part or on the glass loading hatch,
- the washing machine starts jumping or vibrating,
- The drive belt keeps falling off,
- the drum begins to rub against the cuff of the loading door,
- At first glance, the machine works fine, but the rotating drum makes squeaks and other noises,
- oily traces are visible under the unit,
- the machine begins to leak, there are traces of rust on the tank behind the rear panel,
- laundry is stained with oil or rust,
- the drum dangles a lot, then flies off and falls to the bottom,
- the washing machine chews the laundry,
- the drum jams and turns with difficulty, producing a metallic grinding sound,
- During operation, plugs are knocked out, smoke appears from the machine,
- The drum of the device is skewed.
Such a loose element, along with any symptoms, begins to signal a significant breakdown. And even in the case when the machine executes all programs, its operation is not recommended. When the drum of a washing machine dangles, more serious problems can be expected in the near future, including complete disposal of the device.
Noise Level Standards
The noise level of a washing machine of a certain model is specified in its instructions. It depends on what the drive is:
- in the belt version, its variations are from 60 to 72 dB (decibels);
- with the direct drive option, the threshold is reduced - from 52 to 70 dB.
What do these numbers say? The fact is that the user will still hear the operation of such a device, and absolutely silent washing machines do not exist. The technique works, but such audibility should not create discomfort. If such a feeling occurs, the device is clearly not working. And it’s good if the reasons turn out to be not very serious.
Causes of breakdowns and the procedure for determining them
A certain percentage of play is built into the washing machine by the manufacturer; this is considered normal. And there is no extraneous noise. But when the conversation turns to a breakdown, you need to act as follows:
- The loading hatch of the washing machine opens, then you should grab the drum with your hands, moving it to the sides without much effort. After this, it must be twisted clockwise and in the opposite direction. If you notice a grinding sound, these are the initial signs of a problem.
- Turn on the washing machine and set the “spin” program to the highest limits. When chatter occurs during rapid rotation, it feels as if the drum has been thrown off its own axis, and loud noises are heard again. Why does this happen? Look for a problem in the bearing or shock absorbers.
- To reliably clarify the failure, it is necessary to inspect the bottom of the machine. In most cases, failure of bearing devices is accompanied by water leakage through moving parts located on an invisible part of the tank. There is a high probability that at the end of the wash a large puddle will appear under the machine. This means that it is high time to replace the seals and bearings.
- When significant knocking noises are heard, but there is no water leakage, the bearings should not be changed - check the shock-absorbing devices. And getting to them is much easier.
The initial stage, which does not involve disassembling the unit, will not help determine anything else. It is possible to finally understand where the problem lies only after penetrating under the body part.
Failure of springs and shock absorbers is usually recognized quickly. They are simply examined thoroughly, shaking them a little. If at least one failed spring is detected, or a broken shock absorber is found, we can assume that the breakdown has been identified and disassembling the tank itself will not be required. And if everything is in order with such elements, then you will have to disassemble the machine further to remove the tank.
What to do to troubleshoot
Some breakdowns can be fixed with your own hands. But if repairs cause you difficulties or the equipment is under warranty, it is better to contact a service center. How to make your own repairs, read below.
Transport bolts
In models of any brand (Indesit, Ariston, Samsung), the mounting bolts are located at the rear. Simply turn the washer over to the back panel and unscrew the screws as shown in the picture.
Correct installation
It is important to position and install the machine correctly to avoid unnecessary vibrations. To do this, follow these basic recommendations:
- Prepare a stable base. The floor under the equipment must be level and durable. If this is not the case, then you can prepare a concrete base or podium yourself.
- Align the housing strictly level. The feet will help you adjust the installation. Tighten them to adjust the height of the MCA.
If, after fulfilling the requirements, the machine continues to hum and vibrate, use special pads. Read about the right choice in the article “Anti-vibration stands for a washing machine. We choose and compare.”
How to replace a bearing in a machine
To carry out such repair work, it is necessary to remove the rear housing cover, disconnect the drum from the motor shaft, and sometimes remove the electric motor. Due to the fact that during assembly the bearing is firmly pressed into the mount, it must be knocked out. In a number of models, it is possible to dismantle the crosspiece, and sometimes you have to remove the tank itself.
Particularly difficult are cases where the washing machine has a solid tank made of plastic or composite material. To access the drum, you have to cut it. Instead of the dismantled broken bearing, a new analogue is installed, then the machine is checked for rotation and the rigidity of the drum fastening, and assembly is performed in the reverse order. You can organize a trial run to test the device.
How to replace a shock absorber
This element, like spring hangers, cannot be restored. A specialist will install new ones for you. Temporary measures will not help in such situations. You will have to remove the housing cover, loosen and remove the springs one by one to inspect the fastening points for integrity.
When the tank is freed, you can remove and change the shock absorbers, and hang the tank in its original place. If the old springs have lost their elasticity, they are replaced with new analogues. By the way, when performing work, the master must check the condition of the tank and the supporting bearing cross.
The repair is completed with assembly and testing.
There is a foreign object in the drum
During the washing process you can hear knocking and rumbling noises. Sometimes the cause of this is an object that accidentally ends up in the drum. Often this phenomenon is caused by a break in the shock absorber or spring from the main frame.
During vibration and rocking, the broken element begins to knock on the body and tank quite rhythmically. It may appear that there is an object in the drum. If the element has completely fallen off, the roar will not be very rhythmic, and the drum will sway in a certain direction.
A distinctive sign of suspension problems is the drum swaying at low speeds during washing. Deviation from the axial will immediately catch the eye, and a strong knock will be heard on the body part. It is possible to identify problems with such negative manifestations only through a serious inspection of the device.
Unevenly distributed laundry
This problem is typical for older models. Modern devices practically do not rattle, of course, if they are in good working order and installed correctly. Good alignment is facilitated by the presence of electronics, which allows you to distribute things more evenly and prevent imbalance in the drum. Old devices cannot assess how well the drum is centered, and whether there are crumpled laundry in it. Spinning occurs in any case, and then the drum may knock on the walls or other elements of the washing machine.
We suggest you familiarize yourself with: The washing machine does not take in water
Tools needed for repair work
It all depends on the type of damage. If you need to change shock-absorbing elements or springs, then all you need are flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers, an awl, some keys and a repair kit suitable for this model. And if bearings need to be changed, then a wider range of items will be needed:
- hammer with striker made of copper,
- rod or pin made of steel material,
- sealant (cold welding),
- set of screwdrivers and awl,
- open-end wrenches and a set of sockets,
- pliers,
- special lubricant for washing machine parts,
- bearings and seals included.
The shaft is removed from the drum pin with a copper hammer, because this type of striker will not damage the part. A steel rod or other suitable device is needed to knock the bearings out of their seats. The main thing is that such a device must be long and suitable in thickness.
Welding or sealant will be needed when in some model of washing machine the tank turns out to be one-piece. It will have to be sawed along the seam, then the connection will be made. Using an awl, the stuffing box elements are pryed up, pulled out, all fasteners are unscrewed with screwdrivers; keys are needed for the same purpose. Lubricant is applied to shock-absorbing elements and seals.
How causes are identified in machines from various companies
Minor drum chatter in Ariston, Kandy, Bosch, LG or Samsung washing machines is provided for by the manufacturer from the very beginning. Backlash is necessary for the normal functioning of the device. But such rocking of the drum does not cause the formation of extraneous knocks during the washing process. But when they are heard during the spin cycle, it is recommended to take a number of actions:
- open the loading door, grab the drum with your hands, and twist it. If you hear a grinding noise, look for the problem.
- Indesit starts with an empty drum at maximum. If during rotation there is a feeling of large vibrations accompanied by noise, then it is necessary to inspect the bearings or shock-absorbing devices,
- pay attention to water that may leak from the machine,
- If you hear a grinding noise but cannot find a leak, replace the shock absorbers.
Advice from the experts
If there is a problem with a bearing or shock-absorbing device, then all elements should be replaced, because a failed part will soon lead to a chain of problems from its analogues. And when you have disassembled the washing device, immediately change the seals, which also have operating limitations and wear out quite quickly.
Remember that machines from different manufacturers differ in their design and are disassembled in different ways. This feature should also be taken into account when undertaking repair work on your own.
Disassembling the unit tank and removing the bearings must be done correctly. There are washing machines in which it is possible to get to the shock absorber through the top of the machine or through its bottom. This convenient feature helps save time during repairs - you don’t have to remove the panels.
conclusions
A broken washing machine can almost always be quickly and efficiently repaired. The main thing is to correctly determine the cause of the breakdown. You can try to deal with some malfunctions yourself, but if you lack knowledge and experience, it is better to immediately contact a specialist . This way you will be able to save your money and time, which may need to be spent on correcting the consequences of your own repairs.
Sources
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