The short answer
Check the transit bolts are out and the machine is level on all four feet. Then check the load balance. A grinding or rumbling that grows with spin speed, with all of that correct, points at the drum bearings.
What you hear and feel
- The machine walks across the floor — Levelling, or transit bolts still fitted.
- Banging during the spin only — An unbalanced load.
- A grinding rumble rising with spin speed — Drum bearings.
- A rattle or clink at low speed — An object in the drum or the filter.
- A squeal that comes and goes — A belt or a pulley on belt-driven machines.
- Not this fault: a normal pumping noise at drain — Ordinary operation.
Ranked by what is found
- Transit bolts never removed — First on a recently installed machine.
- Machine not level, or a foot not in contact — Second.
- Unbalanced load — Third, and it shows only at spin.
- Coins or wire in the drum or the filter — Fourth.
- Suspension or damper worn — Fifth.
- Drum bearings failed — Last, and the expensive one.
Diagnose in this order
- Look at the back panel for transit bolts — A new installation makes this first.
- Check all four feet with a spirit level — Every foot must carry weight.
- Run a spin with a balanced load — It removes the load as a variable.
- Listen for whether the noise tracks the spin speed — That is the bearing signature.
Owner checks
- Check the rear panel for transit bolts and remove them if present — Keep them in case the machine moves again.
Tools: spannerAbout 25 min
- Level the machine on all four feet and lock them — A foot that does not touch is a rocking machine.
Tools: spirit level, spannerAbout 30 min
- Redistribute the load and repeat the spin — Single heavy items cannot be balanced.
About 20 min
- Clean the pump filter and check for coins or wire — Hard objects rattle and damage the drum.
Tools: shallow trayAbout 25 min
- Check the floor beneath is solid and not flexing — A springy floor amplifies every movement.
About 15 min
- Stop before opening the cabinet for bearings, dampers or the belt — Water and mains wiring share that space.
Heavy machines that move
Safety
Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before removing any panel. A capacitor can hold a charge after the power is off. A washer that walks can pull its hoses tight or tip - stop the cycle before it reaches a wall or a doorway. Never run a machine with a panel removed, and never try to hold or restrain a spinning machine by hand.
When to call
Call when the transit bolts are out, the machine is level, the load is balanced and a grinding noise still rises with the spin - that is the bearing conversation, and it is better had early. Ask for the total including labour before agreeing: on a value-tier machine a bearing repair can approach the price of a replacement.
Other faults on this washer
Scope of this page
Generalized across washer families under this badge; where a family-specific or model-specific page exists it is the narrower answer. Not here: spin speeds, bearing part numbers, damper specifications and floor loadings.
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
