How To Level a Washing Machine
Clothes
washing machines must be level in order to perform properly.
Washing machines that are not level will have intense vibrations, and
literally dance in place. These intense vibrations can damage the
washing machines. All washing machines have adjustable feet in the
front of the unit, most have self adjusters in the rear. Some
machines require that all 4 feet be manually adjusted for level.
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Unplug
the washing machine.
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The
best starting position for leveling is with both of the
adjustable feet showing approximately a 1/2 inch of
thread below the locknut. If either of the pads of
the feet are tight to the locknut or extended to a point
where there is little thread left in the captive nut,
loosen both lock nuts and screw the feet in or out until
you have obtained about a 1/2 inch of thread. Tilt
the washing machine forward to allow the rear feet to
self adjust and then set the machine down.
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Figure 1 - Leveling Washing Machine
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Place
the level on the front of the washing machine, as shown in
Figure 1.
If the washing machine is level, left to right, go to step 5.
If the machine is not level continue with step 4.
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Turn the foot that is
needed to raise the low corner of the washing machine to a level
position. Tilt the washing machine forward to allow the
rear feet to self adjust. Lower the machine and verify
that it is level left to right.
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Place the level on the
machine back to front and confirm that the machine is level.
Do this procedure on both the left and right sides.
Note
1: In many cases the tops of washing machines are not flat and
have raised edges that act as drip guards. In order for the
level to read properly, it must rest on a flat area, inside the drip
edges.
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If the machine is not
level, front to back, tilt the machine forward again.
Lower the washing machine and recheck for level, front to back.
If the machine is still not level adjust the front feet in
equally in the amount of turns to bring the machine to level
front to back.
-
Check for level right to
left.
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Tighten the front locknuts
with a wrench.
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Plug the washing machine
back into its receptacle.
Note
2: It is not unusual to have to go back and forth a few times
between the front feet in order to get the washing machine to
completely level, left to right and front to back.
