If you own a top loading washing machine, you may have experienced vibrations or shaking during the spin cycle. This is often caused by an unbalanced drum. An unbalanced drum can damage your washing machine and cause excessive noise. Balancing your washing machine drum is easy and can be done in a few simple steps.
Gather Your Materials
Before you begin, you will need a few materials:
- A level
- A wrench
- A spirit level
- A screwdriver
Locate the Leveling Feet
Most top loading washing machines have adjustable leveling feet located at the bottom of the machine. These feet can be turned to adjust the height of the machine and help balance the drum.
Check the Level of Your Washing Machine
Place the level on top of your washing machine and check the level. If your washing machine is not level, adjust the leveling feet until it is. Use the spirit level to ensure that your washing machine is level both front-to-back and side-to-side.
Empty Your Washing Machine
Before you balance your washing machine drum, make sure it is empty. Remove any clothes or other items from the drum.
Remove the Top Cover
Some top loading washing machines have a removable top cover. Refer to your owner’s manual to see if your washing machine has a removable top cover. If it does, remove the top cover.
Locate the Suspension Rods
The suspension rods are located on each corner of the washing machine. They connect the drum to the frame of the machine and help absorb vibrations during the spin cycle.
Check the Suspension Rods
Inspect the suspension rods for any signs of damage or wear. If any of the suspension rods are damaged or worn, they will need to be replaced.
Adjust the Suspension Rods
If the suspension rods are in good condition, you can adjust them to help balance the drum. Use a wrench to loosen the nuts on each suspension rod. Adjust the suspension rods until they are all at the same height.
Test the Drum
Once you have adjusted the suspension rods, test the drum by running a spin cycle with a small load of laundry. If the drum is still unbalanced, you may need to adjust the suspension rods further.
Check the Level Again
After adjusting the suspension rods, check the level of your washing machine again. Make any necessary adjustments to the leveling feet to ensure that your washing machine is level.
Replace the Top Cover
If you removed the top cover, replace it now.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to keep your washing machine drum balanced:
- Make sure you are not overloading your washing machine. Overloading can cause the drum to become unbalanced.
- Use a spirit level to check the level of your washing machine periodically.
- Check the suspension rods for wear and tear regularly.
- If you continue to experience problems with an unbalanced drum, contact a professional washing machine repair service.
Conclusion
Balancing your top loading washing machine drum is easy and can help prevent damage to your washing machine. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your washing machine is level and the drum is properly balanced.