Door drop too low
Indesit machine , door wobbly and needs a slight lift to engage to lock , too much play on door, is it the hinge or the door trim ?
Solution Summary
AI-generated from this discussion
This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
Indesit washing machine door drops and needs lifting to lock
- The problem
- The washing machine door is wobbly, has too much play and has to be lifted slightly for the lock to engage.
- Likely cause
- The accepted reply says the fault is most likely in the door hinge area. A worn or bent hinge is suggested as the main probable cause, with cracked or worn plastic door trim/frame around the hinge fixings also possible. Loose or damaged hinge fixings or cabinet mounting points were also mentioned as possibilities.
- What fixed it
- Recommended action was to isolate the machine from the mains, then inspect the door movement, hinge, hinge screws, plastic door frame/trim and cabinet mounting points. Tighten any loose hinge screws if possible. If the hinge is worn or bent, or the plastic mounting points are cracked, the affected part would need repair or replacement. The exact repair carried out was not confirmed in the discussion.
- Checks to try
- Lift the open door gently to see whether the whole door moves up and down at the hinge side
- Check whether the hinge feels firm while the plastic door halves flex or separate slightly
- Check the screws securing the hinge to the cabinet and to the door
- Inspect the inner and outer door frame around the hinge for cracks
- Check the cabinet side mounting area for movement
- Parts or tools mentioned
- door hinge
- door trim/frame
- hinge screws
Safety: Isolate the washing machine from the mains before inspection. Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
1 Answer
If the door has developed noticeable play and you have to lift it slightly for the lock to catch, the fault is usually in the door hinge area rather than the lock itself. On Indesit machines it can be the hinge, the hinge mounting points, or occasionally the plastic door frame/trim where the hinge fixes through.
1. Isolate the washing machine from the mains first before inspecting anything closely.
2. Open the door and lift it gently by hand. - If the whole door moves up and down at the hinge side, the hinge is likely worn or bent. - If the hinge seems firm but the plastic door halves flex or separate slightly, the door trim/frame may be cracked or worn around the fixing points.
3. Check the hinge screws. - Look at the screws securing the hinge to the cabinet and to the door. - If any are loose, tighten them carefully. If they will not tighten, the threads or plastic mountings may be damaged.
4. Inspect for cracks. - Look closely around the inner and outer door frame where the hinge passes through. - Cracked plastic around the hinge area is very common and will let the door drop.
5. Check the cabinet side mounting. - If the hinge itself is solid but the front panel fixing area has movement, the cabinet mounting may be worn or distorted.
If there is a lot of wobble, I would suspect a worn/bent hinge first, but cracked door trim is also very possible. If you can remove the door and inspect the hinge and plastic mounting points, that will usually confirm it. If any repair involves internal electrical parts, use a qualified engineer.
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This answer was generated automatically by the WhitegoodsHelp AI Assistant. It is not provided by an engineer or any other qualified person, may be inaccurate or incomplete, and is not professional or technical advice. Do not rely on it. Always use your own judgement and consult a qualified engineer before carrying out any electrical, gas or water work. Use is entirely at your own risk. See our full Terms of Use.
SAFETY FIRST: READ BEFORE ACTING ON THIS GUIDANCE
Never work on a live appliance
Always unplug it at the mains before going near it with any tools.
Never attempt gas work
By law, gas appliances must only be worked on by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If your fault involves gas, stop and call a professional. Do not attempt it yourself.
Watch for sharp edges
Outer panels are smooth, but internal parts have sharp machined edges. Wear protective gloves and arm sleeves.
Water appliances can leak
Turn off the water supply before disconnecting any hoses.
Know your limits
If you are not confident testing or working inside the appliance, stop and call a professional.
AI guidance, not guaranteed
This response is generated automatically by the WhitegoodsHelp AI Assistant. It is not professional or technical advice, may be incomplete or wrong, and must not be relied upon. Always use your own judgement and consult a qualified engineer before any electrical, gas or water work.
This is general information only and is not professional advice. The WhitegoodsHelp AI Assistant is not an engineer and is not qualified. See our full Terms of Use.
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