Loud Banging When Spinning
I have had my Meile washing machine for around 10 years without problems, the machine has started banging loudly when spinning. The drum runs freely and there is no play in the bearings, I have replaced the dampers and can see nothing broken. Can anyone help?
Solution Summary
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Miele washing machine bangs loudly on spin with load
- The problem
- A around 10-year-old Miele washing machine started banging loudly only when spinning with a load. It was quiet when empty and at low speed. The drum was reported to run freely, with no detectable bearing play, and the drum did not drop noticeably when loaded.
- Likely cause
- The strongest diagnosis discussed was a suspension problem despite the dampers having been replaced, or possibly a loose tub weight or cracked drum spider. However, no single cause was confirmed. Bearing failure was considered less likely because there was said to be no play in the inner drum.
- What fixed it
- The advice was to continue fault-finding by process of elimination, particularly checking suspension behaviour under load, confirming both sides of the tub move evenly, and inspecting for loose weights or a cracked drum spider. It was also suggested to observe the drum from the top during a cycle to see what movement was causing the banging. The exact repair was not confirmed, and the original poster said they were considering replacement.
- Checks to try
- Drum runs freely
- No play in the bearings / no play when lifting the inner drum
- Noise only occurs with a load and as spin speed increases
- Machine is fine when empty and at low speed
- Dampers were replaced
- Accessible nuts and bolts were checked for tightness
- Drum does not drop when loaded
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Dampers
Safety: Keep hands out of the machine when observing it during operation. Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
10 Answers
"Banging" could be various things so it's hard to get an idea without a more specific description. Washing machine noise problems are covered in depth here - http://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/washing-machine-is-noisy/
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
The loud banging noise only occurs when the drum is loaded, and only as the spin speed increases, it is fine when it is empty and at low speed.
Everything I can think of to help with a noisy washing machine went into my article Derek
http://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/washing-machine-is-noisy/
It's a long article but I tried to cover everything, make sure you read all the right column too. I'd look at the possibility of a loose tub weight or cracked drum spider but check them all out. It's all about process of elimination.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Just out of interest, when you put a load into the machine and start a wash cycle, does the drum drop much when you watch through the door? When you changed the dampers did you have to remove the heavy weights? if so, did you ensure they were done up tight on re-assembly?
Hi, The drum doesn't drop when loaded, there is no play at all when you try to lift the inner drum. There was no need to remove any weights when changing the dampers, however, I have checked every nut and bolt I can get at to make sure they are all tight. I have run out of ideas now and am looking for a replacement.
This is why I changed my suspension units the first time. The drum wasn't dropped, but was banging the more it spun. The reason is that a spring inside a suspension unit was broken and not absorbing any shocks. The drum was basically banging up and down in the suspension.
My washer doesn't have suspension units as such, the drum hangs on four springs and has a damper on each side at the bottom to stabilise it.
those dampers should have springs in them. If you push on the top of the drum casing, you should see the dampers gradually allow the drum to sink. If only one side goes down, then a spring is broken inside or seized.
Neither the new dampers or the ones previously fitted had springs in them, they are just gas dampers similar to the ones on a car hatchback.
The point is, do they gently go down when you push the top of the drum? does one side drop quicker than the other? etc etc.
Gas, spring or oil, they are all prone to failure. Gas can leak out if the seal is no good.
Perhaps it would be a case of watching the drum with a cycle from the top. You should be able to see what is happening to cause the banging. Obviously keep your hands out of the machine during this test.
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