Maytag Washer Shaking Violently On Spin Cycle – Why & How To Deal?

If you notice your Maytag washer is suddenly shaking violently on spin cycle, it can put you in a panic. This shaking can become quite serious leading you to wonder whether or not your washer became damaged.

Unlevel washing machines are one of the main reasons for this violent shaking. When this happens your machine cannot become balanced and as a result, it vibrates or shakes. Also, damaged shock absorbers and dampeners can cause this.

Whatever the reason might be, you cannot clean your clothes properly with a shaking washer, so you must fix it before the issue becomes more serious.

Is It Normal For Maytag Washer Shaking Violently On Spin Cycle

Any washing machine, including a Maytag, should not shake violently when in the spin cycle. It is common to see some vibration in a washer during spin cycle but when this becomes excessive it is no longer normal.

Maytag washers are designed to work smoothly without any vibration or unusual noise, you may hear some noise of the motor running. But this noise will be ignorable.

So, when you notice any violent spin you must find the root of the problem and fix it asap.

Troubleshoot And Fix for Maytag Washer Shaking Violently On Spin Cycle

When your Maytag washer shakes violently it can be a cause for tension but luckily this issue is fixable by checking up on a few things.

1. Unlevel Washer –

When your Maytag washer becomes unstable, it cannot balance the pressure of drum spinning properly which can cause erratic vibrations. So, the first thing you should do is check whether or not your washer is level with the ground.

Use a bubble level to check that your washer is positioned levelly on the floor. Make sure the bubble within the tube is inside both middle lines as you place the mark width-wise on top of the washer. In a similar manner, repeat this procedure with the level facing front to rear.

If modifications are required, increase or decrease the leveling legs using a wrench or pliers. If necessary, tighten the screws onto the washer’s base. By doing this, excessive vibration during spin will be reduced.

2. Damaged shock absorbers and dampeners –

Almost all Maytag models have shock absorbers and dampeners, they work in a similar way as shock absorbers work in cars. During the spin cycle, they assist in absorbing the shocks.

A typical machine contains many dampeners and shock absorbers. As a result, whenever the load increases, these components combine to stabilize the machine and lower the excessive vibration.

So if somehow, shock absorbers and dampeners gets broken or damaged they no longer can prevent the vibration. Thus, you will need to open your washer and replace them.

Replacing the shock absorbers and dampeners can cost between $150-$300,. This cost includes price for cost as well as labor cost.

3. Broken Counterbalance Spring –

The suspension mechanism of the washer includes counterbalance springs, which aid in stabilizing the drum and reducing vibrations.

So, when this gets broken your machine will start to vibrate during the spin cycle and the tub will become unbalanced.

To check if the counterbalance spring is broken, you will need to find them on your washer which is usually located at the top of the drum near the cabinet.

However, the exact position may vary depending on your washer model; refer to the user manual for this.

So, check the springs for any kind of rust or corrosion or any breaks. In case of a damaged spring you will need to replace it which you can do yourself. Each replacement spring will cost you around $5.49-$7.49.

4. Overloading –

Another key reason for Maytag washer shaking is overloading, we often end up loading the wash basket with more clothes than required which makes the load uneven.

As a result, stress falls into the motor which causes it to work harder leading to excess vibration.

Every washer comes with its own load requirements which you can find on the user manual. Never put more load than stated capacity, also try to disperse the load evenly into the wash basket.

Additionally, the balance of the washer may be disturbed when washing just one large, heavy fabric or a product that is particularly absorbent, such a comforter.

So, Include more objects in the load to equally distribute the weight in order to avoid shaking and maintain equilibrium.

Maintenance Tips To Prevent Maytag Washer Shaking Violently On Spin Cycle

Every electrical appliance needs regular maintenance to prevent any serious problems and the same goes for Maytag washers. Follow our tips below to prevent your washer from shaking violently in future.

• Alway balance the load when washing something heavy.
• Place the washer in an even and level ground so it can stay balanced when running.
• Check the drum on a regular basis for any debris or foreign items that may have gotten stuck and disrupted the balance.
• You can consider adding stabilization matts under the washer to absorb vibration and keep the washer balanced.
• Make sure to clean the washer and detergent dispenser regularly to prevent any residue buildup.

You can watch this video guide for maintenance Tips:

FAQs

By now you should have a proper idea about what causes your washer to shake and how to fix it. However, if you still have some questions read our FAQs below to find the answer.

Final Words

If you notice your Maytag washer shaking violently on spin cycle then this is an issue not to avoid and you should fix it asap. Luckily, this is a easy problem to fix.

But, in case you need to replace any internal parts its better to consult a professional mechanic if you do not have a proper idea about the internals. You can also use the warranty in case if you have one for free servicing.