Washing machine loud, jumping or walking across the floor? Bearings, shock absorbers and levelling
Some noises can be fixed in minutes: uneven feet, transport bolts that were never removed, a coin in the drum. Others, like roaring bearings, need a repair shop, and the cost depends on how the machine is built.
- Most common cause
- levelling, transport bolts, worn bearings
- Time
- 10–20 minutes
- Repair shop
- 150–320 zł (shock absorbers), 350–750 zł (bearings)
Unplug the machine before you look behind it or into the drum. Don't put your hands in the drum while it's still spinning.
Step by step
On a new machine, remove the transport bolts
At the back of the machine there are 3–4 bolts that lock the drum during transport. If they haven't been removed, the machine jumps and makes noise as if it were broken. Put the plastic caps from the accessory kit into the holes.
Level the machine
Put a spirit level on top. Adjust the feet so the machine is level in both directions, then tighten the lock nuts. The machine must not rock when you press down on a corner.
Check the load
A single heavy blanket or jacket spreads unevenly and the drum hits the casing. Add a few towels or spin at a lower speed.
Look for a foreign object
Turn the empty drum by hand and listen. A metallic rattle is often a coin or underwire between the drum and the tub. Sometimes you can get it out through the heating element opening or the pump filter.
Recognise bearing problems
Do you hear a growing roar like a jet engine when spinning? Does the empty drum have up-and-down play and scrape when you turn it? Those are worn bearings.
Check the shock absorbers
If the machine still jumps a lot after levelling, and the drum keeps bouncing for a long time when you push it down, the shock absorbers or springs are worn.
- The drum has clear play or scrapes when turned by hand.
- Water with rusty residue leaks from under the machine. This is often a sign of a worn bearing seal.
- The machine bangs into furniture despite being levelled.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Replacing the shock absorbers | 150–320 zł |
| Replacing the bearings (tub can be taken apart) | 350–550 zł |
| Replacing the bearings together with the tub (welded tub) | 500–900 zł |
| Anti-vibration pads | 30–80 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
Shock absorbers are always worth replacing. Bearings are a mixed bag. On machines with a welded tub you have to replace the whole tub, and on cheaper, older models the repair stops being worth it. Check your machine's value in the calculator.
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Open the calculator →FAQ
Can I keep washing with noisy bearings?
For a while, yes, but the wear speeds up. A broken bearing can damage the drum and tub, and then the repair gets much more expensive.
My washing machine is only noisy when spinning at 1400 rpm. Is that normal?
A slight hum is, but roaring and banging are not. Check the levelling and the load. If it's quiet at lower speeds, keep an eye on the bearings.
Do anti-vibration pads help?
They dampen vibrations passed to the floor, especially in apartment blocks. They won't fix bearings or shock absorbers, though.