A walking machine

We have the same machine and the solution to the problem is definately solution nuber 1 - that the transit packages ( the two bolts that secure the drum) are intact and when the machine goes on spin the vibration moves the machine with it. - remove the two rods that are at the back of the machine - on page 7 of instruction manual. it really does walk across the kitchen otherwise and if it could it would walk out the door and down the street.

The washing machine also has 2 hydraulic dampers which also control vibration these are situated underneath the drum at either side. If one of these units fail your washer will exhibit severe vibration and walking. if your washing machine normally worked ok in its usual position and then became erratic it will be either one or both of these dampers that have failed. These hydraulic dampers are similar in appearence to those on a car or motorcycle minus the spring. or better still similar to those found on a hatchback car that holds up the tail gate If you unplug the machine and turn it on its back after disconnecting all hoses and mains supply as stated in the solution #1. You will see these dampers at either side. Give each one a rattle. Also check for oil leaks around the seal of where the plunger rod (Shiny rod) goes into the damper body.

Ours did this and was quite violent so we read the instruction manual and there are screws at the back of the machine that have to be taken out. These hold the drum in place during transit.

ADDITIONALLY,CHECK AND MAKE SURE TRANSPORT BARS ARE CORRECTLY REMOVED.NOTICED ON MANY OCCASIONS TO THAT IF WASHER IS IS USED ON TYLED FLOOR, IT WILL SLIP AND SLIDE REGARDLESS. ON A MORE SERIOUS NOTE, CHECK IF STABALISER BLOCK HASNT POSSIBLY WORKED ITSELF LOOSE.

Thanks all ! For us it was an LG machine with the the transit bolts.
It was walking all over the basement, wife jumped on top to stop it. She looked like a scene from "I Love Lucy". Works like a charm now. Feel like an idiot!

I have had the same problem with this machine. Had 4 different factory technicians look at it. Replaced it once completly. Installation was not the issue.
Unfortunately, the machine does not do a good job of balancing the load, thus high vibration and shaking occurs more often than it should. I cannot let this machine operate unattended, must monitor it all times, especially during spin. Eight out of 10 spins are bad (walking due to imbalance), 2 will be perfect (next to no vibration)). This machine is supposed to auto level load but that is not working well.

I was told by 3 technicians that my washer had shot bearings and this is a common problem for the Kenmore Elite Front loader.

Sears knows it and it costs $800 to replace the unit with the bearings. They will not do anything about it except try to sell you a new washer.

I will not buy this washer again (especially from Sears).

I have came across to a similar problem last week when a friend of mine phone me to say that his machine was walking across the room. I went to his home to see how his machine walks across the room. when i asked my friend who fitted the new machine he said a friend fitted it for him and was free of charge.
i have noticed that the transit packages ( the two bolts secure the drum) was intact
and when the machine goes on spin the vibration moves the machine with it. could this be yours the same problem?

Eureka!!!! Is your machine new? Did you forget to remove the transport bolts from the back of the machine? If so, then taht may be your problem. At least it was my problem.

The transport bolts put a tight squeeze on the internal machinery of a front loading washing machine in order to restrict movement during transport. The machine still works with them in. But it loses the flexibility and the elasticity required in order to function properly - i.e., think a mountain bike without shock absorbers. After I removed those bolts, my front loading washing machine worked without a hitch.

So if you are frantically adjusting the legs that support your washing machine to obtain a perfect horizontal plane, you are probably wasting your time. The machine does not need to be perfectly flat. It only needs to be sufficiently stable to withstand a rotating basin.

I had the same problem, my washer shook violently in spin mode and it turned out to be four transport bolts that had to be removed. My washer is a GE and they put those instructions way in the back of the manual and it's not even highlighted or anything. So it's easy to overlook. Whoever writes those manuals probably has a masters degree.

With front load washers I have found if people put the washers in a wash room th at is on the first or second floor in a house that has wooden floors that will cause the washer to walk shake and vibrate. It will also happen if the washer is on a tile or anykind of smooth surface floor. Most all installation guides that come with the washers will tell you that the washer musr be installed on a solid surface floor. Cement is the best.

Some washing machines come with a ridgid piece of steel mounted on the cage at the rear of the machine. This is purley for transport. It must be removed in order for the machine to balance the cage during spin.

Transit bolts from rear

We had the same problem. After many attempts to make sure the machine was balanced, we called a repairman to come out. To make a long story short, it was some kind of a plastic ring around the tub that broke. When this was replaced, the balance was just fine. Hope this helps. docrock

A washer usually shakes or vibrates when it isn't sitting firmly and level on the floor or because it has an out-of-balance wash load. First eliminate the possibility of the latter--adjust the load if it has scrunched up on one side of the tub. Then check the machine for solid, level support. To work properly, the floor must be flat, level, and strong enough to support the heavy, water-filled washer without deflecting under the load. 1) Unplug the washer. 2) Look under the front of the washer and make sure all feet are resting firmly on the floor. 3) Make sure the front legs have locking nuts to keep them tight and the legs have rubber caps. If they don't pick up these parts and install them. 4) Make the front feet as short as possible by screwing them up into the machine. Place a level on top of the washing machine and adjust the front feet slightly to level the washer, but do not fully extend them. Keep them as short as possible. 5) If necessary, tilt the washing machine forward. This will let the back feet self adjust (most recent models do this automatically). Recheck with the level and adjust the front feet again. 6) Plug in the machine and run it empty through the spin cycle to see if it still vibrates. 7) If it does, call a repairperson or the manufacturer to ask about possible solutions.