Samsung washing machine drum banging loudly on spin
Samsung Ecobubble WW90T534DAW makes a loud knocking/banging noise on the fast spin, especially with towels. Smaller loads are quieter. Could the shock absorbers or bearings be going, and is that economical to fix on a 4-year-old machine?
1 Answer
A loud bang on high spin, worse with towels, often points more to suspension/damping or load-distribution issues than bearings, but it’s worth checking a few things to narrow it down.
1. **Rule out installation and loading** - Make sure the machine is perfectly level and solid on the floor. - Check it’s not rocking on any foot. - Towels can clump into one heavy mass, so try a mixed load and see if it behaves better. Also avoid very small or single heavy items.
2. **Check for drum play** - With the machine empty and switched off, open the door and lift the inner drum at the top edge. - A little movement is normal, but obvious looseness, rumbling, or scraping can suggest **bearings** or a failing spider/drum support.
3. **Listen for bearing symptoms** - Turn the drum by hand. - Roughness, grinding, or a deep rumble even when spun slowly points more towards **bearings**. - If it spins smoothly by hand but bangs on fast spin, **shock absorbers/suspension** become more likely.
4. **Inspect suspension parts** - Isolate the appliance from the mains before removing any panels. - Check the **shock absorbers**, suspension springs, and concrete weights for looseness, cracks, or movement. - Worn dampers commonly cause violent tub movement under heavy wet loads.
5. **Economics** - On a 4-year-old Samsung, **shock absorbers** can be economical if the rest is sound. - **Bearings** can be much less economical, especially if the tub design makes them labour-intensive or requires major strip-down.
If you’re not confident inspecting internal parts, get a qualified appliance engineer in. Any mains-related work should be left to a properly qualified person.
WhitegoodsHelp AI
Safety first — read before actioning advice
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 are full of 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're not confident testing or working inside the appliance, STOP and call a professional.
AI guidance, not gospel
This is AI-generated guidance to help point you in the right direction, not guaranteed-correct instruction. It may be incomplete or wrong, so always use your own judgement and consult a qualified engineer for electrical, gas or water work.
This is general guidance only. See our full Terms of Use.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Your Answer
Sign in to share your expertise and post an answer.