Is Your Kenmore Washer Unbalanced? (All You need to Know)
Kenmore washing machines are one of the most efficient washers in the system.
It works smoothly and enjoyably till you are faced with an unbalanced load that causes your Kenmore washer to violently move and shake.
If your Kenmore washer is unbalanced, you need not panic especially if it doesn’t happen always or this is the first time.
However, if your Kenmore washer goes out of balance anytime you run a spin cycle, then there may be a problem.
So you’re wondering why your Kenmore washer is unbalanced right?
Here is why your Kenmore washer is unbalanced:
Improper loading of clothes and an unleveled floor can temporarily make your Kenmore washer unbalanced. However, if your washer is well loaded and on leveled ground and is still unbalanced, chances are your suspension rods, shock absorbers, driver bearings or snubber ring has worn out.
Whatever the case, you need to fix this unbalanced Kenmore washing machine problem before you end up damaging your appliance.
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Why is my Kenmore washer unbalanced (And How to fix it)
There are several reasons why your Kenmore washer goes unbalanced when you run a wash or spin cycle.
Generally, your Kenmore washer will run unbalanced if your clothes aren’t properly distributed in the drum or if you have your washer on an irregular/unleveled surface.
These two causes are usually temporal and easy to fix.
However, if you sort clothes distribution and leveled surface problem and your Kenmore washer is still unbalanced, then some components have probably gone bad.
Here are 10 possible reasons why your Kenmore washer is unbalanced and how to easily fix them.
1. Uneven distribution of clothes in the drum
For your Kenmore washer’s drum to work smoothly during the spin cycle, the clothes in it should be evenly distributed.
If your Kenmore top load washer starts banging against the sides of your washer immediately after the spin cycle begins, before the speed increases, then it’s likely that the load is not balanced.
Overloading your washer beyond its capacity or loading oversized materials can also cause unbalance during spin cycles.
But not just overloading, a very small load can create an unbalanced load.
When you have an unbalanced load, your Kenmore washer will display a UE error code.
To fix an unbalanced load in a Kenmore washing machine, pause the cycle, rearrange the clothes in the drum, reduce some clothes if it’s overloaded, and start the cycle again.
Tips for loading Kenmore washer drum:
- Always check your Kenmore user manual for the right amount of load suitable
- If your Kenmore washer has an unbalanced load, simply pause the cycle and reduce or add more clothes.
- Use a washbag for small items or items that may contain foreign objects
- Always confirm that you are using the correct wash and spin settings
2. Washer is on an Unleveled surface
When your front load Kenmore washing machine is on an uneven surface, that can cause it to go out of balance.
Your Kenmore washer needs an even and leveled ground to operate.
Otherwise, your washer will not spin properly but rather shake violently and go out of balance.
To fix a washing machine on an unleveled surface, adjust all the legs of your washer such that your washer is leveled and firm. You can also use rubber anti-vibration pads to control the surface on which your Kenmore washer sits.
As for Kenmore top load washers, you can usually relevel them by tipping forward and resting them back on the floor.
Tips
- Ensure that you check the level on all its sides using a spirit level.
- Take off the front access panel to untighten the loc nuts that hold and control the four legs of the washer.
3. There is clothes or object caught in the tub
During wash or spin cycles, fabrics can be stuck below the tub or between the main agitator and the inner tub and causing your Kenmore washer to go off balance.
Foreign objects such as a bra wire, a coin, or buttons can also get stuck which will make your washer unbalanced.
To address this issue, you need to inspect under and around the center agitator to ensure there isn’t any fabric or object stuck there.
If you find that there’s any material stuck then try pulling it out gently.
You may have to remove the agitator and inspect if no coin or wire has found its way underneath.
4. Shipping bolts may still be present
If your Kenmore frontload washing machine is new and it’s getting unbalanced, it’s likely the shipping bolts are still in place.
Shipping bolts are usually located in the back of your Kenmore washer to keep the tub secure.
If they are not removed before use, your washer will be unbalanced.
You can refer to your user manual to get the location of the shipping bolts in your Kenmore washer model and use a wrench to remove them.
5. Suspension rods are damaged
Suspension rods in your Kenmore washer are responsible for dampening the movement of the wash tub.
With time, they can get worn out, weak, and even broken such that they can’t perform their role.
When the suspension rods get weak or damaged your washer will shake and move anytime you run a spin cycle and go out of balance.
You need to open the top panel and inspect to see if there are any times of wear or damage to the suspension rods.
If they appear damaged or weak, you will need to replace them.
6. Shock absorbers have worn out
Kenmore front load washers have shock absorbers that are usually connected to the outer tub and the base of the washer.
Just like suspensions, the shock absorbers don’t last forever but can wear out from the continuous of your Kenmore washer.
You can inspect the shock absorbers by opening the back panel and looking below the washer to see if they have become weak or damaged.
Also, check for signs of leaking fluid in the shock absorbers that can be a sign that they have gone bad.
Washing machine shock absorbers can be easily replaced without external assistance.
But if you can’t replace them by yourself, then get help from an appliance technician.
7. Bearings are worn out
The bearings on a Kenmore front load washer are usually located between the tub spindle and the motor shaft and they support the smooth movement of the drum.
With time they can get worn out and even drop out on their own.
If your Kenmore washer is out of balance, it could be that your drum bearings have reached their limit, and it’s time for a replacement.
8. Worn out or damaged snubber ring
Your Top load Kenmore washer has a rubber ring that lies between the base of the outer tub and the washer’s base.
It serves as a cushion and prevents the tub from direct contact with the base.
If the ring is damaged or worn out, it can be the reason why your Kenmore washer is unbalanced, and you will need to replace it.
9. Failed dampening strap
Most Kenmore top load washers have four rubber straps that hold the tub firmly to the 4 corners of the washer frame.
Again, these rubber dampening straps undergo wear and tear and once they get damaged, your Kenmore washer will be unbalanced during spinning.
We advise that you replace all four straps even if you find out that only one of them is damaged.
10. Corroded Shaft
The inner tub on your Kenmore washing machine sits on a metallic shaft.
This shaft needs to be in a good condition at all times but with time, it can get corroded by water and detergent fins way to them.
To check if the shaft is in good condition, open the lid of your Top load Kenmore washer, and lift the tub up and down.
The inner tub should move about ¾ inches.
If it doesn’t move at all, then the shaft is probably corroded and gummed up.
A corroded shaft can be fixed but it involves some technical handiness.
If you can’t carry out this repair by yourself, then get an appliance technician to do that for you.
Conclusion
So this is how to fix an unbalanced Kenmore washing machine
Hopefully, the guidance we have provided in this article will help you avoid unbalanced movements of your Kenmore washer.
Always ensure to check the temporal reasons first and if you get no results, then you can go ahead and explore the mechanical reasons we provided.
And if you have to, contact a repair technician for assistance.
