How to Troubleshoot a Shaking Samsung Front-Load Washing Machine

SamsungSamsung Washing MachineModerate⏱ 1 - 3 hours

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If a Samsung front-load washing machine shakes violently, makes loud knocking noises, or won't spin out and shows errors like UR, UB, or DC, the washer is usually going out of balance. This guide starts with leveling and shipping-bolt checks, then moves into the suspension, shocks, rotor, stator, and tub-support failures that can make the repair uneconomical.

🧰 Tools

Drill driver
Phillips Screwdriver
Bubble Level
10 mm Socket Wrench
19mm Socket (3/8in Drive)
Impact gun
Trampoline spring tool

⚙️ Parts

Anti vibration pad
Suspension Spring
Shock absorber
Spider bracket assembly
Samsung Washer Motor Stator - DC31-00074D
Rotor

ШагиSteps

Gather tools and plan your troubleshooting

Gather a drill or screwdriver with a Phillips bit for the covers and panels.
Have a 10 mm socket wrench ready for shipping bolts and some shock absorber hardware.
Have a 19 mm socket or impact gun ready if you plan to remove the rotor.
WARNING: The source video does not cover unplugging the washer or shutting off water, so follow your owner manual’s safety steps before opening panels.

Level the washer and check the floor

Place a level on the washer to check for sagging to any one side.
Check level at the front and at the rear of the washer.
Adjust the feet at each corner by screwing them in or out until the washer is level.
Make sure the floor is firm and hard, because a weak floor can cause shaking even if the washer is level.
Install anti-vibration pads or a mat if the floor is imperfect and you still have movement after leveling.
Reminder: If leveling fixes the shaking, stop here and run a spin to confirm the repair.

Remove the top cover

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws at the rear of the top cover.
Slide the top cover backward, and lift it off the washer.

Inspect the suspension springs

Inspect the two springs that hold the tub up from the top of the washer.
Look for springs that are warped, damaged, or off their mounting brackets on the tub or the chassis.
Caution: Support the tub with a box or another support before removing any spring, because the tub can fall down.
Use a trampoline spring tool to remove and install a spring if you need to replace one.

Inspect the counterbalance weights

Inspect the counterbalance weights on the front of the tub for cracks or damage.
Check the counterbalance under the front of the washer by tilting the washer on its side and looking for concrete dust or debris.
The source video says a closer inspection may require removing the front of the washer, but it does not show that procedure.

Test the spider bracket and inner tub

Open the washer door and try to wiggle the inner metal tub independently of the outer plastic tub.
Treat any independent play or shifting as a strong sign the internal spider bracket has broken.
Spin the drum by hand and watch for a non-circular, warped, or wobbling pattern.
Check the drain trap, if your model has one, for small metal chunks that suggest internal metal parts are disintegrating.
A failed spider bracket is often a washer-killing failure, and repairs are commonly quoted around $400 to $600.
Reminder: Consider professional repair or replacement if this test fails, because the job can be costly and labor-intensive.

Remove any shipping bolts

Inspect the four shipping-bolt locations on the rear of the washer for bolts that were never removed after installation.
Remove any shipping bolt using a 10 mm socket wrench.
Shipping bolts lock the tub for transport, and leaving them installed transfers vibration into the chassis and can cause severe bouncing and knocking.

Remove the rear panel

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the rear metal panel.
Slide the rear panel down, and pull it away from the washer.

Inspect and test the shock absorbers

Inspect the rear shock absorbers for separation, because some can come apart and sometimes pop back together.
Remove a shock absorber to test it if it looks damaged or if the washer still goes out of balance.
Use a 10 mm socket to remove the top and bottom hardware on this style of Samsung shock absorber.
Press the shock in by hand and confirm it is extremely difficult to compress.
Test each shock absorber individually, because a washer may have two, three, or four shocks depending on the model.
Reminder: Replace all the shocks as a set if any single shock absorber is weak or failed.

Remove the rotor carefully if you suspect a drive issue

Use a 19 mm socket or impact gun to remove the rotor bolt.
Caution: The bolt may be sealed with threadlocker, so hold the rotor or drum still while breaking the bolt loose.
Pull the rotor plate off evenly by pulling from both sides with equal spacing.
Caution: The magnets behind the rotor plate are delicate, and the rotor can be difficult to dislodge.

Inspect the rotor and stator and check for rubbing and play

Inspect the rotor magnets for cracks, missing pieces, or other damage that could cause improper rotation during spin.
Inspect the stator on the tub for similar damage.
Check for excessive play in the spider bracket and bearing area, because too much movement can let the tub assembly rub the front of the washer.
The source video identifies excessive play and rubbing as a root cause on the example washer and says the bracket and bearing system must be replaced.
The source video does not show a detailed bearing test procedure or any bearing replacement steps.

Consider control board and expected spin behavior

Expect brief movement and some noise during early spin, because these washers may intentionally shift to rebalance clothes before full-speed spin.
Treat violent shaking, failure to spin out, or the wash time increasing as signs of an out-of-balance failure that still needs a mechanical cause found.
Consider a control board or PCB malfunction only after mechanical checks, because the source video describes it as difficult to diagnose.
Reminder: Seek a professional estimate if the spider bracket, bearings, or control board appears to be the cause, because these repairs can be expensive.

Level the washer and complete a test cycle after the repair before returning it to regular use. Repair didn't go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.

«How to Troubleshoot a Shaking Samsung Front-Load Washing Machine» — автор Ben Schlichter, iFixit, лицензия CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. Показано без изменений. Открыть оригинал и комментарии →