Is your Kenmore washing machine shaking violently? If so, you’ve come to the right place. This detailed guide lists the causes of this issue and provides steps to fix them…
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Kenmore Washing Machine Is Shaking Violently — Solution
If your Kenmore washing machine is shaking violently, the following are issues to look for…
1. Legs Aren’t Balanced
If your Kenmore washing machine is shaking violently, it is most likely the result of unbalanced legs. To fix this issue, tip the machine backwards a bit, then adjust the legs as needed using a wrench. Ensure that the machine is properly balanced by using a spirit level.
2. Drum Weights Are Damaged
If your machine’s drum weights are damaged, it will cause the appliance to shake violently. Follow the steps below to do this…
Step 1. Ensure that you disconnect your washing machine from the power outlet before starting this procedure in order to avoid any chances of electrocution.
Step 2. Go to the back of the cabinet, then take out the bolts securing the top pane;l using a Philips screwdriver. Pull the panel backwards a few inches, then lift it off the machine.
Step 3. Slide the soap tray out of the dispenser. Press the little tab inside the tray to completely release it from the housing.
Step 4. Using your Philips screwdriver, loosen the two bolts next to the dispenser opening on the control panel.
Step 5. Take out the screws at the back of the control panel. Pry the panel off the mounting bracket, then set it on the cabinet.
Step 6. Open the door of your washing machine. Using a Philips screwdriver, take out the bolts securing the door lock to the front panel.
Step 7. Using a flat-blade screwdriver or needle-nosed pliers, carefully pry the retaining wire off the door boot seal (take care not to damage the seal).
Step 8. Peel the door seal off the front panel. Pry the pump filter access panel open, then pull the emergency drain tube out of the retainers.
Step 9. Use your Philips screwdriver to take out the bolts securing the pump filter housing. Pull the housing out of the cabinet, then set it aside.
Step 10. Take out the single screw at the bottom of the front panel. Loosen the bolts at the top of the front panel. Lift the panel off the cabinet carefully, then set it aside.
Step 11. Using a 13mm socket wrench, take out the bolts securing the upper and lower weights to the front of the drum. Carefully lift each weight off the machine and set it aside.
Step 12. Prepare the new weights for installation by unpacking them. Carefully mount the two weights onto the front of the drum, then secure them by tightening the bolts.
Step 13. Lift the front panel and carefully mount it onto the cabinet. Use Philips screwdriver to tighten the bolts at the top of panel.
Step 14. Tighten the single screw at the bottom of the front panel. Push the pump filter housing into the cabinet, then tighten the two bolts.
Step 15. Open your washing machine’s door. Reach in behind the front panel, then reconnect the wire harness to the door lock assembly.
Step 16. Carefully fit the door boot seal around the front panel. Use needle-nosed pliers or a flat-blade screwdriver to fit the retaining wire around the seal.
Step 17. Lift the front panel and snap it onto the front panel. Apply the screws at the back of the control panel.
Step 18. Use your screwdriver to apply the two nuts next to the dispenser opening. Push the soap tray into the dispenser.
Step 19. Remount the top panel on the cabinet, then push it forwards. Secure the panel by applying the Philips screws at the back.
Step 20. Reconnect your appliance to the electrical outlet. To ensure that the issue has been fixed, try running a spin cycle.
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3. Shock Absorbers Are Faulty
If the shock absorbers in your front loader washing machine are damaged, it will cause the appliance to shake violently. Before rushing to replace the shocks, you should test them. Here’s how to do this…
Front Shock Absorbers
Take the following steps to test the front shock absorbers in your front loader Kenmore washing machine…
Step 1. Disconnect your appliance from the power outlet before starting this repair in order to prevent electrocution.
Step 2. Open the door of your machine. With your Philips screwdriver, loosen the bolts securing the door lock assembly to the front panel.
Step 3. Wedge a flat-blade screwdriver underneath the retaining band around the door gasket. Work the screwdriver around until the wire pops off.
Step 4. Pry the door gasket off the front panel. Pry the pump filter access panel open, then pull the emergency drain tube out of the retainers.
Step 5. Take out the screws securing the pump filter housing to the cabinet. Pull the housing out, then set it aside.
Step 6. Use your Philips screwdriver to take out the single bolt at the bottom of the front panel.
Step 7. Go to the back of the machine, then loosen the screws securing the top panel. Slide the top panel backwards a few inches, then lift it off the cabinet.
Step 8. Pull the detergent tray out of the dispenser, then press the tab inside to release it from the housing.
Step 9. Take out the two screws next to the dispenser opening. Loosen the bolts at the back of the control panel. Pry the control panel off, then set it on top of the cabinet.
Step 10. Take out the screws at the top of the front panel. Lift the front panel off the cabinet carefully, then set it aside.
Step 11. Push a 12mm socket onto the pointed end of the upper shock absorber mounting pin. Pull the pin out using pliers. Repeat this process with the lower pin.
Step 12. Pull the shock absorber out of the cabinet. Try pulling it apart and pushing it inwards. If you feel little or no resistance in the shock, it is damaged and needs to be replaced. Test the second front shock absorber in the same way.
Step 13. Once you are sure that both shock absorbers are in good condition, push them back into the mounts on the tub and cabinet. Push the upper and lower pins into the shock absorbers.
Step 14. Lift the front panel and mount it on the cabinet. Use your Philips screwdriver to tighten the bolts at the top of the front panel.
Step 15. Apply the single screw at the bottom of the front panel. Push the pump filter housing into the cabinet, then apply the twp screws. Close the access panel.
Step 16. Open your machine’s door. Reach into the cabinet, then reconnect the wire harness to the door switch assembly.
Step 17. Fit the door gasket around the front panel. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to fit the retaining wire around the door boot seal.
Step 18. Snap the control panel onto the front of the cabinet, then tighten the bolts at the back using a Philips screwdriver.
Step 19. Apply the two screws next to the dispenser opening. Push the soap tray into the dispenser.
Step 20. Mount the top panel on the cabinet, then push it forwards. Reconnect your appliance to the power outlet, then try running a cycle to ensure that the issue has been fixed.
Rear Shock Absorbers
Test the rear shock absorbers in your Kenmore washing machine with the following steps…
Step 1. Prevent any chances of electrocution by disconnecting your appliance from the power outlet.
Step 2. Loosen the bolts holding the rear access panel to the machine. Lift the panel off the cabinet and set it aside.
Step 3. Push a 12mm socket onto the pointed end of the upper shock absorber mounting pin. Pull the pin out using pliers, then take out the lower pin in the same way.
Step 4. Pull the shock absorber out of the cabinet. Try pulling the shock absorber apart and pushing it inwards. If you feel little or no resistance in the shock absorber, it is damaged and needs to be replaced.
Step 5. Once you are sure that the shock absorber is in good condition, push it back into the mounts in the cabinet, then push the pins in.
Step 6. Snap the rear access panel back onto the cabinet, then secure it by applying the Philips screws.
Step 7. Plug your appliance into the electrical outlet. Ensure that the issue has been fixed by running a spin cycle.
4. Damaged Suspension Rods (Top Loaders)
A damaged suspension rod may be the cause of the violent shaking in your top loader Kenmore washing machine. It’s advised to replace all the rods at once in order to prevent future damage. For detailed steps on how to replace this part, read this article: Kenmore Washing Machine Is Making Noise.
