If your old or new washing machine makes noise during the spin cycle we have some useful DIY repair tips here to fix your machine. A washing machine making a loud noise when spinning means a part has become worn out or loose.
The issue that is causing the loud noise could be a number of different parts inside your washer. If the loud noise only happens when the washer is in spin mode, this can be a sign that the main tub bearing is worn out. To fix your washer yourself, you may need to find your Washing Machine Service Repair manual.
Washing Machine Making Noise During The Spin Cycle
Reasons a washer will make noise during spin mode:
1. Main tub bearing faulty
2. Main drive pulley
3. Motor coupling worn
4. Bad clutch
5. Worn out drive belt
6. Clogged or damaged drain pump
7. Transmission is worn out
8. Shock absorber (front loader washers)
9. Springs or dampening straps (top load washers)
10. Agitator directional cogs aka “agitator dogs” (top load washers)
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When the washer spins, it rides on a bearing that allows the tub to move freely with zero resistance. If this bearing is worn out, a loud noise will be heard when the washer spins. A good way to tell if your washer problem is the main tub bearing will be that the washer noise will get worse or louder as time goes on. This means the bearing is becoming more worn out and close to complete failure.
The bearing in your washing machine is a circular metal object that has many small little metal balls inside. These small metal balls inside the bearing sit in a track and move when the washer is spinning. If the tub bearing begins to wear out, usually the small metal balls inside can fall out one by one causing the noise you hear.
(If your washing machine is a front load washer, open the door and turn the drum by hand. If you hear a rubbing sound or the drum spins uneven, then the main tub bearing is most likely bad and needs replaced.)
Washing machine tub bearing
Washer has noise during spin cycle
The bearing may also be without lubrication. If the sound you hear is more of a squeaking noise than a grinding noise, it may mean the bearing needs to be lubricated with a mechanical grease. If the sound is more of a grinding noise, then this usually means the bearing is falling apart and will need to be replaced ASAP.
If you suspect your washers main tub bearing is worn out, the repair process is one of the most difficult to perform yourself. A worn bearing can also damage the tub of the washer. This means the tub (inner or outer) may need to be replaced also.
A washer making a loud noise during spin cycle can also be caused by a faulty drive pulley. The pulley is what the belt (if applicable to your washer) rides on to spin your washers tub.
The pulley can be made of plastic or metal. It could be simply worn out or just loose. To find out if the drive pulley is causing the noise, you will need to take the washer apart and inspect the pulley for signs of damage.
WASHER MOTOR PULLEY
The motor coupling could also be the cause of the loud noise. The motor coupling in your washer connects the washers transmission to the motor.
It is made of plastic and built to break if the washer gets overloaded. This is so the motor and the transmission do not become damaged. The motor coupling is an easier repair and can be done by most people.
Washer Washing Machine Motor Drive Coupling Coupler
The clutch in a washing machine connects the inner wash tub to the transmission. The clutch lets the washer get to the proper spin RPM in a gradual way.
If the clutch is worn it can make noise when the washer is spinning. A bad clutch needs to be removed and replaced to stop the noise.
Washing Machine Clutch
The belt in your washer can become worn and cause noise while spinning. If worn out, replace the belt. Replacing the drive belt on a washing machine is an easy task and can be ordered online for less.
Washing machine belt
The drain pump in your washer that drains the water out could be clogged or damaged. While in spin mode, your washer may drain out the water by using the drain pump.
If the loud noise only happens at certain intervals during the spin cycle, it may be the drain pump. Usually this can be fixed by simply removing the drain pump and removing any debris that may be clogging it up causing the noise.
Drain Pump for Washing Machine
The next part of your washer that can be causing a loud noise is the transmission. If the transmission is bad, usually the cost to fix this outweighs the cost of a new washer.
If you have a front loading washing machine, they all have shock absorbers. The shock absorbers are used to center the tub movement while in the spin cycle.
These shock absorbers are connected from the washer frame to the outer tub. If the shock absorbers in your front loader become weak the washer will make a loud banging sound during the spinning cycle.
Shock Absorber for washing machine
Top load washers usually have springs or dampening straps holding the tub centered. If a spring or strap falls off or becomes weak, a loud noise will be heard in spin mode. Simply replace the strap, spring, or springs to remedy this issue.
Washing machine suspension springs
Agitator directional cogs are used to operate the upper part of dual action agitators (Top load washers). They engage the cogs on the inner area of the agitator as it turns in one direction. They release when the agitator reverses its direction. This lets the top part of the agitator to ratchet in only one direction.
The bottom part will agitate in both directions. The cogs are made of plastic and wear out with regular use. They will start slipping and make a grinding noise. Another way to be sure that this part is bad is if you notice the top portion of the agitator does not move in a smooth motion. Removing the top half of the agitator to see if the cogs are worn out.
Washer Agitator Cogs or Dogs
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Do you know of other common or uncommon reasons a washing machine will make noise during the spinning cycle? please help out all of our other readers and leave a comment below.
Hi,
What would cause a washer to make a noise? Noise is something between squealing car brake or rubber shoe on floor, like basketball players make. Certainly not grinding. Noise lasts less than a second and only happens drum begins to spin, happens all parts of cycle.
I thought something rubber stuck between inner and outer tubs, but squeaks only beginning to start.
Bearing? Lack of lubrication? Noise indiscernible between metal and rubber makes this hard for me to diagnose.
Any ideas? Thanks.
I have a leak in the right back corner of my Whirlpool Duet washer, 4 years old, and it only happens during the sustained spin. The water covers about a square foot that I can see and probably more underneath both washer and dryer.
I checked all the hoses and they are okay, and it’s level, too.
This may or may not be related: While watching an entire load yesterday I would hear a sound like a small metal object rolling outside the drum. I’ve been hearing this on and off for quite awhile but assumed it was just a dime as it was once before when a technician came out. Only this time nothing seems to happening as everything worked just fine. It was going long before the leak which is about 2-3 months old (took awhile to see the water which was only at the back).
On my Kenmore Elite HE3 I took the lower front panel off and taped down the safety switch on the right. When I ran the machine and got the knocking sound during the spin cycle, I pushed (with a stick of wood) on the outer tub (which does not spin), and the knock went away completely. I didn’t have to push hard. So I put a small spring from the top of the left front damper to an existing hole in the cabinet front, and that solved the problem. I presume that there is backlash (looseness) in one of the tub support somewhere, and the spring keeps the backlash from banging. Been working fine now for a month.
My washing machine is becoming very loud when on spin cycle so much so that I have to turn it off befpre finished. Who can i ask to repair my washing machine?
My washer makes loud grinding noise when spinning I dont know if it’s the drum has dropped or it might need new brushes. It’s a hot point
Bearings are bad. Just fixed mine and would advise against trying this. Should have bought a new machine.
Hello, did you fixed the aircraft sound and how? I have the same problem. Thanks.
Ge top load washer.
Making loud noise during spin cycle.
Stone is not broken or worn.
If it sounds like loud squealing or grinding during high speed, and if the tub has a lot of up/down movement when you try to move it manually then it is likely the bearings have worn out. If that’s the case, you can buy bearing and seal repair kit that fit your washer model to repair.
I had the same issue with my front load Whirlpool. At first I thought I had to buy and replace the whole rear tub which was about $400. Then someone said I could just buy a repair kit for my model to replace the bad bearings and seal. I got a good quality kit on ebay about $75 and put into work, following the videos found on youtube that really helped. It took me a few hours of hard work, but I am glad I did it. Was thinking i had to buy a new washer. But mine runs really nice and quiet now.