Washing Machine Drum Loose? (Easy Fix for All Brands)
Over time, you may notice an issue where your washing machine drum drops below the frame or door. This is a common problem that can occur after years of use and makes your washing machine drum loose.
If your washing machine drum is loose banging, there certainly is a problem that needs to be fixed as soon as possible.
Here is why your washing machine drum is loose:
The reason why your washing machine drum is loose is that certain components in your washer that support the drum have undergone wear and tear causing the drum to fall. These include broken suspension rods, worn-out bearings, and damaged shock absorbers.
If your washing machine drum has dropped, do you fix it, replace it, change the drum, or simply get a new washer?
In this article, we will discuss all the possible causes of a loose washing machine drum and how to fix it effectively.
Table of Contents
Why has my washing machine drum dropped?
Washing machines’ parts or components develop wear and tear as you use them for a long time.
When they start developing this wear and tear, you realize it by the way your washing machine begins to function.
A dropped washing machine tub or drum is one of such consequences of wear and tear of some components of your washing machine.
It could be that your top load washing machine drum has dropped, or your front loader’s drum has dropped.
What causes drum on washer to drop?
- Broken Suspension springs
- Drum bearings have worn out
- Weak shock absorbers
- Loose bolts and nuts
- Constant Overloading of the drum
- Inner spider drum support may be broken
Here are the common reasons why your washing machine drum has dropped and how to fix the problems:
1. Broken Suspension springs
Suspension springs are the components of a washing machine that hold the tub to the base of the washer.
They also ensure the suspension of the tub from the top.
Inevitably, these suspension springs undergo wear and tear and can get broken or lose their elasticity.
Broken suspension springs may be displaced out of position, causing the drum to shift from its original position.
A broken suspension spring will also cause your washer to shake and not spin properly.
Depending on the type, brand, and model of your washer, the number of suspension springs providing support to the drum may differ.
But usually, most washers have 4 suspension rods.
We advise that when replacing the springs, you replace all of them together because they would usually wear out at the same rate.
We found this video below that will take you through the process of replacing broken suspension rods.
2. Drum bearings have worn out
Washing machine bearings are small metallic balls that are held together in a round track and are located at the base of the washer and support the tub.
Like suspension springs, bearings undergo wear and tear and may even collapse at a point.
When that happens, it may cause your drum to drop a few millimeters or inches down.
In that case, you will need to inspect and replace the bearings.
However, not all modern washing machines have bearings you can replace.
Some washers have their drums welded together. As such when the bearings go bad, you need to replace the whole drum
If you have to replace your bearings, we found this video below helpful and concise.
3. Weak shock absorbers
Shock absorbers on a washing machine dampen the movement of the tub during a spin cycle.
Weak or broken shock absorbers can cause your washer to vibrate excessively to the extent of shifting from its position.
Using a washer when the shock absorbers have gone bad is only a recipe for disaster. It can cause damage and failure of other crucial components.
If your washing machine drum has dropped, then it may not be a surprise if your bad shock absorbers caused it.
Replacing washing machine shock absorbers isn’t a daunting task and you can check out this article to replace your shock absorbers.
4. Loose bolts and nuts
Excessive vibrations during your wash cycle can cause certain bolts and nuts to loosen.
The outer tub of your washer is bolted to your washer to hold it firmly in place but these bolts can become loose over a long period due to intense vibrations that are not resolved.
Using your washer on unleveled floors and broken shock absorbers are some of the causes of excessive vibrations in washing machines.
Loosed bolts and nuts on the washing machine drum or tub can result in them moving and dropping from their fixed positions anytime there’s an external impact.
Open the back panel and ensure that all bolts are tight.
Also open the panel at the top, for a front load and ensure bolts and nuts from loose weights are well secured.
Related Article: Why does my washing machine shake like crazy?
5. Constant Overloading the drum
This is more of a cause than a reason.
There is a limited about of clothes your washer can take.
It is always important that you load your washer according to its capacity.
When you overload your washer, you tend to exert so much additional stress on the drum, and that rapidly weakens the suspensions, bearings, and other components.
Washing your clothes in bits is a sure way of ensuring that you are not overloading your washer.
You also need to sort out your clothes by fabric types and weights by grouping like fabrics together.
This will ensure that there isn’t an uneven distribution of clothes while you run a wash cycle.
You can also check out why washer always has water in them.
6. Inner spider drum support may be broken
A cracked inner spider drum support assembly can be a significant cause of a dropped washing machine drum. This component provides support to the drum. Corrosion, rust, or cracks in the drum support or other washing machine parts can contribute to this issue.
If you’ve already disassembled the washing machine during a bearing inspection, it’s important to examine the three-arm inner spider drum support.
To resolve this problem, check for corrosion or damage in the spider arm and consider finding a suitable replacement if needed.
Can I use my washer when the drum drops?
It depends. If your washing machine drum has dropped by only a few inches but can still run without making noises, then you probably can use it, at least to complete that particular cycle. However, you need to inspect it further and fix it as soon as possible since that’s usually a sign that there is something wrong.
Aside from completing the cycle, we don’t advise you to use your washer when you realised that the drum has dropped.
This is also because water can seep through and go on to affect other electrical parts and come into contact with metallic components causing corrosion.
Your clothes can also be ripped and damaged if they get caught in between the gap that is created after the drum has dropped.
Top load washing machine drum loose (How to fix)
If you’re dealing with a loose drum in your top load washing machine, there are several potential issues to investigate and address.
Inspect the suspension springs that support the drum; tighten or replace any that are loose or damaged. Likewise, examine shock absorbers designed to dampen vibrations, replacing them if they show signs of wear or damage. Perform a thorough check for loose bolts or screws in the drum assembly and tighten them securely.
If your washing machine uses a drive belt, inspect its condition and positioning, replacing it if it’s worn or damaged. Check for any unusual noises during operation, as this may indicate issues with drum bearings. Worn or damaged bearings may require replacement to resolve the problem.
Be sure to examine the inner spider drum support for cracks or damage, as this component can contribute to a loose drum. If you hear unusual noises or observe issues during operation, this could be a sign of inner spider drum support problems.
Front load washing machine drum dropped
Front load washing machine drum can also drop below the door and bring the cycle to an immediate halt in some cases.
When that happens you need to drain your washer and remove the clothes inside.
Your front load washing machine dropping below its fixed position is likely due to broken suspension rods, bearings, or shock absorbers.
You can usually check the state of these components by following the procedures we have outlined above in this article.
Samsung washing machine drum dropped
If your Samsung washing machine drum is loose, it is either you have bad suspension rods, collapsed bearings, or damaged shock absorbers.
You can fix this by inspecting these 3 components for any damages as we have explained above in this article and either fix or replace them.
Amana washing machine drum has dropped
If your Amana washing machine drum is loose, the most common causes are bad suspension rods, collapsed bearings, or damaged shock absorbers.
You can fix this by inspecting these 3 components for any damages as we have explained above in this article.
Whether you need to fix, replace, or get a new Amana washer will depend on the extent of the damage.
GE washing machine drum dropped
The most common causes for your GE washing machine drum being loose are bad suspension rods, collapsed bearings, or damaged shock absorbers.
You can fix this by inspecting these components for any damages as we have explained above in this article.
Whether you need to fix, replace, or get a new GE washing machine will depend on the extent of damage, and likely your budget.
Kenmore washing machine drum dropped
Is your Kenmore washing machine drum loose? The most possible causes are bad suspension rods, collapsed bearings, or damaged shock absorbers.
You can fix this by inspecting these components for any damages as we have explained above in this article.
From there, you can fix, replace or get a new Kenmore washing machine depending on the extent of damage, and likely your preferences.
Check our related article about Kenmore washers out of balance.
LG top load washing machine drum has dropped
Have you observed a drop in your LG washing machine drum? Whether a top load or front load, the most possible causes are bad suspension rods, collapsed bearings, or damaged shock absorbers.
You can fix this by inspecting these components for any wear and tear as we have explained above in this article.
From there, you can fix, replace, or get a new LG washing machine depending on the extent of damage, and likely your preferences.
Whirlpool washing machine drum has dropped
Have you observed that the drum of your whirlpool washing machine has dropped some inches below? Whether a top load or front load, the most possible causes are bad suspension rods, collapsed bearings, or damaged shock absorbers.
Well, that’s not a good thing for your washer.
You can fix this by inspecting these components for any wear and tear as we have explained above in this article.
From there, you can fix, replace or get a new Whirlpool washer depending on the extent of damage, and likely your preferences.
Hotpoint washing machine drum has dropped
Have you observed that the drum of your Hotpoint washing machine has dropped some inches below? Whether a top load or front load, the most possible causes are bad suspension rods, collapsed bearings, or damaged shock absorbers.
This situation needs to be investigated and fixed as soon as possible.
You can fix this by inspecting these components for any wear and tear as we have explained above in this article.
After the inspections, you can either fix, replace, or get a new Hotpoint washing machine depending on the extent of damage and likely your preferences.
Roper washing machine drum loose banging
If your Roper washing machine drum is loose and causing banging noises, it may be due to various issues. Inspect and address any damage or wear in suspension springs and shock absorbers. Tighten loose bolts in the drum assembly and examine the drive belt for damage.
Inspect inner drum components for issues, including drum bearings and the inner spider assembly. Lastly, check the motor mounts for problems.
Can washing machine drum be fixed?
A washing machine drum can often be repaired, depending on the nature and extent of the issue. The specific repairs needed will depend on the cause of the problem.
Here are some common issues and potential solutions:
Suspension Springs and Shock Absorbers: If suspension springs or shock absorbers are damaged or worn, they can usually be replaced to restore proper drum support and minimize movement.
Bolts and Screws: Tightening loose bolts or screws in the drum assembly can prevent unnecessary movement and reduce banging noises.
Inner Drum Components: Components like drum bearings or the inner spider assembly can sometimes be replaced if they are damaged, restoring stability to the drum.
