How to Fix a Shock Absorber for a Washer That is Noisy and Leave Marks on Clothes

Is your front-load washer making a loud banging noise while running? The shock absorbers may have given out. These pieces are used to dampen the movement of the tub so when they fail things will become quite noisy. The information provided below will help you determine if your shock absorbers have failed, and show you how to replace them, if necessary.

What are Shock Absorbers and Where are they Located?

All front-load washing machines have shock absorbers that are used to dampen the tub movement in the spin cycle. The shock absorbers or struts are attached to the base frame and to the outer tub and you will need to remove the front panel or the rear panel to access them.

General Location of the Shock Absorbers in a Washer

What Type of Noise Can You Expect?

When shock absorbers weaken or become damaged, the machine will often make a loud banging sound during the spin cycle. If the symptom is not corrected, it can lead to damage of other components.

How to Access, Remove, and Inspect the Shock Absorbers in a Washing Machine

1. Disconnect your appliance from the power source.
2. Remove the front or the rear panel, depending on your model, in order to locate the shock absorbers.
3. Inspect the shock absorbers for signs of broken attachments, leaked fluids, or a weakened dampening action.
4. If either shock absorber shows any of the above signs, you will need replacement shock absorbers. You should replace both shock absorbers at the same time, even if only one shows signs of damage, as they wear at approximately the same rate.

How to Install New Shock Absorbers

1. Take the new shock absorber and set the bottom of it into the base of the washer. Make note of the chamfered edge on the fastener, as that’s the direction to turn the shock absorber to fasten it in place.
2. Then you can install the top portion of the shock absorber by lining it up with the bracket and rotating it into place. Some shock absorbers attach to their mounts by a pin with a locking finger, so they do not vibrate out of the holder. The locking finger needs to be pressed down to allow the pin to slide out. You can use pliers or an appropriate sized socket wrench to push it onto the pin.

Next: Troubleshooting the Tub Dampening Straps

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