Bothered by this annoying knocking sound from your washing machine while agitating? Unfortunately, it is frustrating and can be a noise of bad news as well. Seems like your washing machine is in trouble and calling for help.
There are several possible reasons behind these unwanted bangs. The issue might be with the shock absorbers, suspension springs, drum bearings, agitator directional cogs, drive pulley, or the drive belt. You need to replace it if any of them is causing trouble. Otherwise, it could be unevenly distributed clothes or an overloaded tub that requires your attention.
Well, if it’s just a matter of overloading or uneven distribution of clothes, you can handle it smartly. Alas, otherwise, it’s more likely technical and you might need some resourceful tips to tap the root cause.
How to Resolve the Knocking Noise Issue
First of all, you need to find the problem and then the best possible solution.
1: Check Shock Absorbers
Between the base and outer tub of the washer, there is a place for shock absorbers. They make the movement of the inner tub smooth and vibration-free. If the issue is lying here, you will experience weird knocking or loud banging sounds, depending on the condition of the part (loosened or damaged). You must replace this part as soon as possible to avoid damaging the other parts of the washer. Usually, there are two shock absorbers, and it is recommended to replace both at the same time even if one of them seems fine.
To replace it, you need to access the base either by removing the front panel or the back one depending on the model of your washing machine. Don’t try to repair them, simply replace them.
2: Inspect Suspension Springs
Springs also play a part in absorbing unwanted vibrations and shocks enabling the washer to work properly. Obviously, if they are worn out, there will be a lot of vibrations and noises. It might cause an imbalanced drum as well as it plays a part in stabilizing the base of the washer drum. If you suspect these issues, you have to replace them.
To replace it, you have to locate them under the front or top of the washer panel, depending upon the model.
3: Evaluate the Performance of Drum Bearings
The purpose of drum bearings is to support the inner drum while washing clothes. It assures the effortless motion and speed of the inner drum by reducing friction. If you are tolerating rumbling noises during the cycle along with excessive play in the inner drum/tub, you need to check drum bearings. Try spinning the empty tub by hand to check if it creates noise or spinning unevenly, bearings could be the culprit behind.
Unfortunately, replacing the bearings is a challenging task. You have to disassemble the washing machine to locate the sealed location under the drum. If you are confident that you can replace it, it’s perfect otherwise, you should hire a technician to do it for you.
4: Look into Drive Pulley and Drive Belt
Drive pulley helps with tub rotation functions and regulates shifting from washing to spinning, and other shifting functions in your washer. It is a wheel connected to the motor via a strong belt known as a drive belt. The problem could be with the wheel (drive pulley) or with the belt (drive belt).
If the drive pulley is loose or worn out, it is surely going to scream out loud. Plus, there might be a burning smell because of friction. If you feel smell along with screeching sounds especially while spinning, you must check for pulleys and the belt. One of the damaged parts can also damage the other part.
The location of these parts varies in front-load and top-load machines. In the case of front-load, you are going to find it at the backside of the machine whereas top-load machines have these parts at the bottom. Still, technology is evolving so, you must check the user manual to locate the exact place.
5: Examine Agitator Directional Cogs
As the name suggests, the agitator cogs help in directional movements of the agitator which results in tumbling of the clothes while washing. Any issue in this part will also cause noise. Usually, there are crunching noises as it is made up of plastic.
This part is located under the agitator. Simply remove the top half of the agitator to examine the cogs. Replace it, if required.
Do you know that these agitator cogs are also known as agitator dogs as they resemble a dog’s face?
Bonus: Check the level of legs of the washer. There might be no issue inside the machine, but outside. If the washer is somehow out of balance, it will be creating more vibrations and you will experience knocking sounds.
Helpful Tips For Safe Diagnostic Testing:
- Always unplug the machine first.
- Put gloves on, mechanic gloves are preferred.
- Keep your tools handy.
- Keep the user manual with you if you are not an expert.
- Buy quality parts for long-lasting performance.
If you feel that your technical skills are not enough to resolve this issue, you must seek professional help to avoid any disaster.
