Kenmore 417 Front load washer

Hi. Great site!
I have a 2003 Kenmore model 417 front-load washer. Works great except for one very annoying thing -- lots of shake, rattle and roll. When we first got it, during spin cycles, the machine literally moved around the room. Of course, when installed (by the Sears guys), they ran the spin cycle with nothing in the machine and, under those conditions, it's very, very quiet -- exactly what I expected when I bought it (and after the sales pitch and research, etc.). Put a load of clothes in there, though, and you get a very loud machine-gun noise during any spin cycle. The machine shakes all the time when spinning. Don't even try the high-speed (super-efficient) spin cycle.

The installation book (who reads that, anyway?) does say that the floor may need reinforcing (of course, the sales staff and installers never said a word about that). Yeesh, they aren't kidding there. The washer is on the main level of the house, but there's a room below, so it's not sitting on a concrete floor. I've placed the washer on a 3/4-inch piece of plywood (with cut-outs for the feet); that has stopped the moving around the room. But, we're living with the noise and vibration. I figure one of these days, the dang thing will shake itself apart.

Is it really the "un-reinforced" floor that's causing this? Or, could something be wrong with the machine? Thanks.

[Jake]

Hi,

Yes, i see that alot in my day to day service calls i run.

Just make sure all the shipping brackets are out of it.

But all floors that are not concrete or cement based will vibrate/shake the washer. If on a wood floor base, the stronger the wood and beams the better.

But i wouldnt worry about the machine falling apart because of vibration.:)

I have seen machines vibrate alot and last the same amount of time as ones that dont.:cool:

Jake

Grumpy wrote:
I've placed the washer on a 3/4-inch piece of plywood (with cut-outs for the feet)
You mean with the washer's legs still resting on the original floor??

If so, I think you're defeating the purpose of putting down the plywood in the first place. It should be to help distribute the washer's weight over a larger area of the floor. The way I see it is, you've ony accomplished stopping the washer from moving out of place but done nothing to solve the problem of a possibly weak floor.

JMO

BTW. Do make sure ALL the shipping braces have been removed from the washer as Jake suggested.

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com (http://bob.appliance411.com/?ref411=Kenmore+washer)
The Appliance Information Site
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Dan O. wrote:
The way I see it is, you've ony accomplished stopping the washer from moving out of place but done nothing to solve the problem of a possibly weak floor.

You're right. I hadn't thought of that. The washer still rests on its feet, even though they are recessed into the wood. I'll try dropping it down onto the wood and see if that helps. (With my luck, the dang thing will probably skate right out the door!) And, I'll check the shipping brackets. It was installed by the Sears guys, but they might have left something in. Thanks for the suggestions.

Also, make sure the leveling legs are screwed into the cabinet as much as possible and their locking nuts are tightened up against the cabinet. The further the legs are out, the more they'll be able to flex and the more movement the washer is likely to have.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com (http://www.appliance411.com/?ref411=Kenmore+washer)
The Appliance Information Site

=D~~~~~~

There are three pins for shipping purposes installed in the back of the washer. Make sure those are pulled out. Their purpose is to hold the basket securely during shipping. If not removed then the basket can't move freely on the suspension springs. It could end up damaging itself. Good luck.

[Dan O.]

sblack wrote:
There are three pins for shipping purposes installed in the back of the washer. Make sure those are pulled out.
There are also 2 "J" or "Z" shaped braces behind the lower front access panel which need to be removed. All shipping braces should be coloured yellow to make them more easily identifiable and should be mentioned in the installation instructions or owner's manual.

BTW. Keep them around and together in a safe place in case the machine ever has to be moved afterward by other than an appliance company familiar with handling such an appliance.

If needed, a new 'shipping brace kit' (see the following link) can be purchased.

LINK > Frigidaire built Front-Load Washer Shipping Brace Kit (http://www.appliance411.com/data.php?rc=638305)

JFYI

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com (http://a1.appliance411.com/?ref411=Frigidaire+washer)
The Appliance Information Site
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I need to move a front loading washer and I have lost the directions to reinstall the shipping brackets, can you help me?

[Dan O.]

jamming 3287 wrote:
I have lost the directions to reinstall the shipping brackets, can you help me?
I've never seen the instructions for reinstalling them as I've never had to order the shipping brace kit linked to above. You can read instructions for removing them at the following link. Maybe you can follow the directions in reverse??

LINK > Frigidaire Front Load Washer Installation Instructions (ftp://ftp.electrolux-na.com/ProdInfo_PDF/Webster/131803200.pdf)

JFYI

Dan O.
Appliance411.com (http://www.appliance411.com/?ref411=Frigidaire+Washer)
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

hi,

I apologize ifthis postsounds stupid - I'm a bit (a lot) naiive about this stuff.

We have a Frigidaire front load washer, and we recently moved. We're in a second floor apartment, and have installed it in the closet in the bathroom. It was set up for a washer, but I have no idea if the floor was reinforced when it was set up. When the washer is going, it seems to vibrate the entire house (if we are on the roof - terrace everything sitting on the table vibrates a little bit), and it does seem noiser than it was before, but that may just because in the last place it was in a back storage room rather than in the middle of the apartment.

So, first, is it 'normal' for the washer to vibrate the entire building? Is it bad for the building?

I've checked with a level, and it is slightly off level side to side, so I've been trying to figure out how to level it (explanation: my boyfriend did it when we installed it the first time, and he doesn't remember how, but I found the instructions on the web). I think I'm going to have to buy a couple of new wrenches, since none of what we have fits the lock nuts (are they 9/16?) or the legs themselves (I tried 1/4 inch ratchet as is listed in the installation manual, but it doesnt fit and 9/32 slips).It's only slightly off level though, its not like I can rock it back and forth as they say on the Frigidaire website. But would this slight bit be enough to cause the vibration?

The only other thing I can think of worries me much more. I just read on this site that we were supposed to reinstall all the bolts etc before having it moved. We didn't (wince) - could that have caused some damage that is causing the extra vibration?

Sorry for being so long-winded. I'd really appreciate any help anyone can offer!

CH

[Dan O.]

worried wrote: is it 'normal' for the washer to vibrate the entire building?
No.

Is it bad for the building?
Most likely.

It's only slightly off level though, its not like I can rock it back and forth as they say on the Frigidaire website. But would this slight bit be enough to cause the vibration?
Probably not but should be leveled as much as possible anyway.

we were supposed to reinstall all the bolts etc before having it moved. We didn't - could that have caused some damage that is causing the extra vibration?
It may be possible some part of the machine was damage in the move but I'd say it is far more likely the space it is located in now does not have adequate flooring support for such an appliance. :?

JMO

Dan O.
Appliance411.com (http://www.appliance411.com/?ref411=Frigidaire+Washer)
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

Thanks a lot for your reply. Wow. As a first time home owner, that sounds a bit intimidating.

On the short term, I'm still trying to level the machine and havinga heck of a time. I bought a 9/16 wrench, that fits the lock nuts, but I'm still not having much luck. Thewebsite says "For tumble action washers, remove the front access panel, loosen the lock nuts, turn legs in or out slightly until the washer sets solidly on the floor, then tighten the lock nuts". Which way should loosen the lock nuts? If I'm kneeling in front of the machine, twist it to my left or right?At themoment, when I twist it, the whole leg turns.And if I do manage to loosen them, then am I supposed to turn the bolt/leg from the inside of that access pannel, or turn the leg beneath? ie. I should be able to fit a wrench or ratchet set to the top of the bolt? because nothing fits and the guy at the hardware store just say it 'should' be either 1/4 (too small) or 5/16 (too big, as is the 9/32 in between).

On the long term,what exactly does reinforcing the floor entail? Is there anything we can do that does not involve major construction?

And do front loaders require more support?(i.e. did everyone that lived her previously just ignore this... or was it not an issue)

Thanks so much for your time...

CH

[jldeenik]

I have the exact same problem. They keep telling me I need to rebuild my floor and it is nice to see that it won't stop the shaking of the machine. I want to let you know that if you have repair out 4 times you are supposed to be able to lemon it. Maybe since you did make changes to your floor and it still shakes you can lemon it. If it is new make sure you do it within the first year. Otherwise if you have the extended service agreement get them back out and let them see that it is still doing it. I am in a big fight with Sears right now trying to get my money back.

As for reinstalling the bolts, the service people told us too when they delivered the machine that we needed to reinstall those bolts if we ever moved the machine, however, the manual says the exact opposite. READ YOUR MANUAL!!!!! When we had them out they pulled our washer apart to see if it ruined anything by us moving it without them and it didn't. Always go my your user manual, that comes from the manufacturer. They really should get their stories straight. The reason it can break something is because it is concrete around the tub and if there is too much jolt it can break something. That is at least what the repair tech that came out told me.

Sorry for this reply being so long, just trying to help.