You may have noticed that your washing machine is making a very loud banging noise while it’s on the spin cycle. If so, you’re not alone. It’s an extremely common problem with modern washing machines. Washing machines are highly complex pieces of equipment that contain hundreds of working parts.
So Why does Washing Machine Making Loud Banging Noise On Spin Cycle? If your washing machine stops working well, it could be because the parts are wearing out. It’s a good time to do a DIY check and see if you can fix it yourself.
If you keep hearing these sounds every time the spin cycle is on, you need to check it. Fortunately, the issues behind such banging sounds are easy to diagnose and fix. This article intends to point out some of the most common reasons why these sounds occur. Read on to know how to handle the issue when you experience it next.
Washing Machine is Overloaded
The washer drum is the center of all wash cycles. If it’s not functioning properly, clothes can’t get clean. The way you load your laundry in the drum will influence the way the clothes spin in the washer’s drum. It’s important to make sure that when you load your load in the washer, you leave enough room for the water and soap to do its job. For optimal agitation, clothes should be loosely packed, with most clothes facing outwards in the same direction to ensure they do not catch each other in the drum.
After you pack your clothes in the washer, don’t try to cram them in so tightly that they can’t move. This will prevent agitation and proper washing of clothes, and might even prevent spinning altogether.
You can reduce your laundry load size! With top-loading machines, only load up to 80% of the drum. With front-loaders, load up to 60%. Front-loaders need more room to agitate properly against gravity.
Uneven Load
When loading clothes in the washer, make sure to distribute them evenly. If one side of the drum is heavier than another, it can cause the drum to bounce and spin off-track. This happens because one side of the drum is pushing harder, causing it to tilt and rock. It’s also a common reason for a banging sound when a washer is in use.
Cleaning your clothes is a lot like doing chores: You can plan ahead and make it easier. When you’ve got a washer load of clothes, make sure to distribute them evenly in the drum. Make sure light and heavy clothing is put in the right place so they don’t outweigh one another. It’s often smart to wash towels and sturdy jeans separately, as well as bedding in its own load.
Washer is Not Level
What if your washer is making loud banging sounds? You know it’s not just the drum, but also the entire washer. To determine the cause, check the floor the machine is on for an uneven surface, or that one of the feet is too short. If your washer is vibrating during the spin cycle, it’s possible that one of the feet isn’t touching the ground.
Cracked Drum Spyder Arm (For Front Loading Washer)
These days, more and more people are choosing to buy front loading washing machines. This is largely because the design of these washers mean that they can fit more inside than top loaders. Front-loaders can be hard to use in homes because their drums are not usually in an upright position, which means they may be difficult to fill.
A load of laundry can be a lot of work. Luckily, there are so many different ways to do the job. One common design for a washing machine is a horizontal drum that spins freely. The drum is held in place by a basket or a “spyder,” which is essentially a hook that goes on the top of the machine and wraps around the edge of the drum.
The spyder is a removable pad that is positioned against the inside of the drum to cushion clothes as they tumble. Most brands of washing machines come with a removable spyder. However, some brands have the spyder built on permanently, and this can cause serious problems. The most common reason for a spyder to fail is corrosion. This is because aluminum or pot-metal corrode, and when they deteriorate too far, they can break and make loud banging noises during spinning.
Luckily, it is not difficult to determine if the spyder is broken. Simply open the washer’s door and move the stainless drum up and down by hand. If the movement of the drum is significant, then there is a high probability that the spyder is broken or not working.
If you’re convinced your washing machine is in need of a new spyder, here’s how to replace it.
- Unplug the power cord.
- Take off the top panel on the back side of the machine.
- Look for a broken or removable spyder.
- If it’s replaceable, unscrew it and take it out.
- Take out the new spyder and put all panels back in place.
In short, Replace the old spyder with the new one, close everything back up, plug in the power cord, and test to see if it works.
Worn Out Shock Absorbers
Sometimes we need to pay attention to our large household appliances. A washing machine is a big investment and we can’t just replace it if there is a problem. Every time something goes wrong, you’re likely to hear a strange noise. It’s expensive to keep replacing the same item and you should note these noises so they can be diagnosed. One of the common causes of a loud banging noise during spin cycles is broken shock absorbers.
The shock absorbers help keep the drum balanced while it’s spinning. Sometimes, the balance is off and it starts to spin faster. This makes an issue even larger because the drum is spinning faster. If it becomes serious enough, the drum will slam into the inside of the washer and make a loud banging noise.
If this happens, you need to investigate further by checking the washing machine’s internal parts. Here is what you need to do:
- Unplug it from the power.
- Open the back panel.
- Look for worn-out shocks.
- If they need to be replaced, contact the manufacturer for the right ones.
- Remove the defective shock absorbers by unbolting them from the frame and end of the washer drum.
- Install the new shock absorbers and secure everything back to its former position.
- Plug in the washer.
- Confirm that the banging sounds are gone now by running a spin cycle.
Worn Out Suspension Rods (For Top-Loading Machine)
You may have heard a loud banging noise coming from your top-loader washer. This could be because the suspension rods are worn out. The most likely cause for this is an imbalance in the machine. Machines should be balanced during spins, and for top loaders, a bad suspension rod is usually the cause.
Top-loaders don’t have a balance bar to offer stability. But there are four suspension rods attached to the frame to offer support. But every time you hear a loud banging sound, it may be because one or more of those rods has been damaged.
You need to make sure the suspension rods inside the machine are in good condition. To inspect them, you will need to access the inside of the machine. If any of them are damaged, replace them. Once you’ve fixed up the rods, close up the machine and see if the sound has stopped.
Worn Out Rear Bearing (For Front Loader Washer)
The most important part of a washing machine is the main bearing. It helps keep the drum spinning freely so clothes can move around. Front-loaders have theirs located at the back and protected by a seal to ensure it doesn’t get wet and wear out more quickly.
If you are hearing odd noises during the spin cycle, it is possible that your washer’s rear bearing is the cause. This could damage the drum’s mounting hardware, so it should be repaired as soon as possible. The manufacturer may be able to provide the part and install it for you, or you could purchase the part and repair it yourself.
To replace a bearing inside your front-load washer, you’ll need access to the drum of the washer. Make sure it’s unplugged and you have removed the access panels. Use a screwdriver to pry off the front panel and remove the old bearing. You should inspect it for any damage, and then put in a new one. Replace the drum back into the washer and plug it back in to test.
Worn Out Main Tub Bearing (For Top-Loading Washer)
When it comes to a top-loading washing machine, the main bearing does a lot of work. It is designed to keep the drum from binding and interfering with the spin cycles. The bearing is especially important during the high-speed spin cycles because it keeps the drum from binding.
Bearings are crucial to the operation of anything that rotates. The main bearing is a sealed bearing that has tiny steel balls inside which are protected by an enclosure with a superior lubricant that reduces friction.
Top-loading washing machines can make some pretty loud noises. One possible cause of the problem is the bearing on the main tub – this bearing supports and balances out the drum and can be damaged by a misaligned or damaged drum. If the bearings are damaged, it will make a loud noise that you probably don’t want to hear.
If you need to change out a top-load washer bearing, you’ll need a few tools. First, find the part from the manufacturer of your machine. Once you have the part, make sure you have all of the tools needed for removing and replacing it.
Be sure to disconnect the machine and move it out of the way. You’ll find the bearing underneath the agitator tower, if your machine has one. If not, you will find it under the center cover.
First, you’ll want to remove the old bearing. Once you have the new one in your hand, you can put it in place. Seems pretty straightforward, right? Next, you’ll want to put everything back together and plug it back into the outlet. After a few test runs, check the noise level again.
Drive Pulley is Damaged
When your washer is making a loud noise, the first thing that you should look at is the drive pulley. A belt wraps around the motor and the pulley to spin the tub. It can be hard to see into the washer tub, so it’s important to remove it before inspecting the belt on the drive motor and pulley. You want to make sure the belt is not damaged, has collected dirt, or is worn out.
If your washing machine spins with a loud noise, most likely the belt is the problem. If the drive pulley belt has any defects, replace it.
Failed Motor Coupling
Your drive motor’s coupling is the connection between your transmission and motor. This connection has two plastic drive forks, each with a rubber band between them. These forks are designed to absorb the torque coming from the shaft so that it doesn’t damage the plastic.
Over time, coupling assemblies wear out and start to vibrate. A washer can become loud when the coupling assembly’s vibration starts to cause a thudding sound. Inspect the motor coupling when this happens and replace it if there is any visible signs of damage.
Worn Out Clutch Assembly
A noisy washer is a big pain. The loud banging noise comes from a faulty clutch assembly, which engages the transmission with the tub during the spin cycle.
If you notice symptoms of a worn-out clutch assembly, you should replace it immediately because it will wear out over time and cause the tub to spin slower and louder as a result.
Hi there! I’m Sam Hendricks, and I’m a repair technician and expert. I created this website to help people like you save money and time by fixing your own appliances.
Over the years, I’ve seen people spend a lot of money on unnecessary repairs or replacements. That’s why I decided to share my expertise and create easy-to-follow guides for fixing appliances on your own.