Maytag top loading washing machine shaking from side to side
December 29, 2018 11:51 AM Subscribe
Our washing machine is shaking from side to side while in use. I noticed it doing that today during the spin cycle but I'm not sure at what point the shaking began. My husband rearranged the clothes in the basket a couple of times but the machine still shook. Does anyone have any suggestions please?
It might be the balance feet on the bottom. If the machine was shoved or it shifted on an uneven floor, it may not be sitting perfectly balanced any more. Often there are screw feet you can adjust to be sure it's sitting flat and even. If one of the feet isn't sitting square on the floor, shaking can ensure.
posted by Miko at 11:57 AM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Miko at 11:57 AM on December 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks much, jonathanhuges and Milo!
posted by htm at 12:05 PM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by htm at 12:05 PM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
The drum (or the mechanism that spins it) is unbalanced. As it's not being caused by clothing being bunched up, your hope is that the machine has gotten itself off-kilter, and can be fixed by adjusting the feet or support (and using a spirit level to make sure).
It is also possible that something has become misaligned inside the machine, which would be a more annoying problem, and one that you're either going to need a professional or a new washing machine (depending on the age etc of the washer) to finally resolve. I personally wouldn't have a massive problem with carrying on using it for a while if the vibrations weren't too extreme/causing damage to other stuff, but an unbalanced washing machine will eventually give up the ghost, although it may well do it later, rather than sooner.
For now, I'd level up the feet and see how it runs. It may well resolve the shaking completely, and you can consider further options if it doesn't.
posted by howfar at 12:08 PM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
It is also possible that something has become misaligned inside the machine, which would be a more annoying problem, and one that you're either going to need a professional or a new washing machine (depending on the age etc of the washer) to finally resolve. I personally wouldn't have a massive problem with carrying on using it for a while if the vibrations weren't too extreme/causing damage to other stuff, but an unbalanced washing machine will eventually give up the ghost, although it may well do it later, rather than sooner.
For now, I'd level up the feet and see how it runs. It may well resolve the shaking completely, and you can consider further options if it doesn't.
posted by howfar at 12:08 PM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
IME, it makes a surprising difference if you level the machine with an actual level, rather than just eyeballing it. If you have (or can borrow) a 3' level, adjust the feet so that the top of the machine is level front, back, side-to-side and diagonally.
posted by spacewrench at 2:01 PM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by spacewrench at 2:01 PM on December 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Depending on the age of the machine, it may use several springs in addition to the bottom weight for stabilization. Sometimes the springs break or the attachment point rust through. If the machine is mostly level, dances with an even load, and not brand new please take that into consideration.
Haven't done appliance repair since the mid 00s, but this was a common issue then as well from the twenty years before. A technician should be able to check and evaluate the condition of the springs.
posted by iStranger at 7:12 AM on December 30, 2018
Haven't done appliance repair since the mid 00s, but this was a common issue then as well from the twenty years before. A technician should be able to check and evaluate the condition of the springs.
posted by iStranger at 7:12 AM on December 30, 2018
Response by poster: Hi All, my husband leveled the machine but it didn't fix the problem. It looks like we are going to need to place a service call. We have a Maytag Dependable Care Quiet Pack. We purchased it in 1997. We couldn't find the serial number. We belong to a website called Angie's List. I thought I would search their website to find a repair person. Does anyone have any other suggestions for finding the right person to fix the machine? I'm hoping we don't have to replace it.
posted by htm at 1:35 PM on January 8, 2019
posted by htm at 1:35 PM on January 8, 2019
Response by poster: P.S. I'm doing a load of laundry now. I'm hoping it doesn't explode in flames!
posted by htm at 1:47 PM on January 8, 2019
posted by htm at 1:47 PM on January 8, 2019
You shouldn't need any serial numbers - you can just call Maytag. Most likely for a 22-year-old washer, they will recommend replacement. If you'd rather see if it's repairable first before spending so much money on a new washer, then look for a repair person on Angie's List. It might not be a huge issue but you won't know until you get it looked at.
posted by Miko at 3:11 PM on January 11, 2019
posted by Miko at 3:11 PM on January 11, 2019
Response by poster: Thanks much, Miko! I sincerely appreciate your feedback. The last time I did a load of laundry the machine shook pretty violently; I'm afraid I can't put a service call off any longer.
posted by htm at 6:39 PM on January 11, 2019
posted by htm at 6:39 PM on January 11, 2019
Response by poster: Thank you again, ALL, for your help. A repair person came out and found and fixed the problem for 85.00! As it turns out, there was a problem with two of the legs. I am so glad we did not have to spend the money at this time to replace the machine!
posted by htm at 6:41 AM on January 27, 2019
posted by htm at 6:41 AM on January 27, 2019
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posted by jonathanhughes at 11:57 AM on December 29, 2018 [4 favorites]