Why is my washing machine making a noise?

Whether it’s a grinding noise, a knocking noise, or an intermittent noise you will want to investigate and repair the problem sooner rather than later.  Leaving it can lead to a much bigger problem to fix.

Noise from your washing machine pump

Noise coming from the pump area of your washing machine will typically mean that a foreign object, such as a coin, will have passed through the system and be caught in the filter.  Most pumps fitted to washing machines in recent years are an integral part of the filter housing (note: some washing machines don’t have filters at all).  Small foreign objects can pass into the filter by slipping through the gap between the outer tub and the rotating drum. Items such as pebbles, coins and small screws or nails - to name a few.

These items can then pass from the filter into the pump chamber where the pump’s impeller will ‘whiz’ the object around the chamber making a loud rattling noise - think blender, putting a screw in the blender’s container would give a similar effect.

The pump’s impeller rotates at a tremendous speed to expel the water from your washing machine. Consequently, there is strain put on this small part. The impeller will also have to cope with pushing small pieces of debris out along with the water. Mostly, the impeller will deal with what it is expected to do, but on occasions, it may come loose and begin to make a noise and is likely to break away all together eventually.

Check out our video on how to replace a washing machine pump.

Noise from the drum area of the washing machine

Grinding noise from the drum during the wash and spin cycles usually suggest that the drum bearings have worn.  To check, turn the drum back and forth; movement should be smooth and easy with very little resistance or noise.  If you can hear or feel grinding then this is confirmation that your washing machine bearings have indeed worn.

If you suspect the drum bearings to be a problem, another quick way to indicate this is to look at the floor below your washing machine. If you find a black or brown patch, then remove the back cover of your washing machine and inspect the area just below the centre of your drum pulley. If the same coloured marks are streaking down the rear of the outer tub, this indicates that the drum bearing seal has worn or perished letting water enter and destroy the bearings.

Drum Shaft

The rotating drum is held in its position by a component called a drum support shaft or drum support spider consisting of three metal alloy arms and a steel shaft which protrudes through the drum bearings enabling the drum to rotate.
The arms attach to the rear of the drum at the points where the baffles are in place. Looking through the door to the back of the drum, you will observe three pressed shapes radiating from the centre to each baffle point - that’s where you will find the drum support shaft.

These shafts do shear, and the impact is immediate, the consequent noise is quite alarming for the simple fact that it is so sudden.  Just inside the door opening, hold the tub down with your fingers at the 6 o’clock, rotate the drum, so a baffle is at 12 o’clock, then push up the drum to see if you can detect a spongy movement of the drum.

This movement may be evident for one or maybe two arms. Another indication is when the drum rotates you might observe an apparent misalignment between the rotating drum and the static outer tub.

Foreign body caught between drum and tub

Another noise that is not uncommon is a coin or some other foreign object that has found it’s way between the outer tub and the drum. The unusual sound will likely be heard during the spin cycle when water is being forced out of the clothes and whipping up the foreign object/s. Bra wires are a favourite! Over time they work their way out of the garment and fit comfortably through the holes in the drum. They will make a distinct tinny rattle as they scrape against the rotating drum.

Noise from the motor

Worn motor bearings while less likely are possible; they are more difficult to isolate for the untrained ear as the sound is distinct.

If there is noticeable wear of the motor bearings, then one can attempt to distinguish between these or drum bearing noise by removing the back panel and taking the belt off the motor/drum pulleys. Rotate the drum to see if any sound indicating worn bearings is detected, if not, now rotate motor pulley for any signs of noticeable wear and noise.

Loose tub weight

If you hear your washing machine begin to knock and you also find grey dust appearing under or around your washing machine, stop using it immediately.
There are usually two counterweights inside your washing machine designed to help balance the tub/drum during use.  You will find one on top of the tub, and one on the lower front of the tub.
Damage to either counterweight can cause severe damage, the tub weights are hefty and if they become loose or cracked they will rip away from the tub during spin cycle usually destroying their brackets and rendering your machine beyond economic repair.

Transit bolts or packaging not removed

If your machine is new and it begins to vibrate excessively to the point of moving, then consider checking that you, or the person that installed the washing machine, have removed the transit bolts and any internal packaging.
Check underneath your machine as often large pieces of polystyrene are placed there as part of the packaging to protect the motor and can easily be overlooked during installation.