Step 1: Level the front legs
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Photo 1: Level the front
Lift the machine slightly with a pry bar
to take the weight off the front legs,
then turn the legs until the side of the
washer is plumb.
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Photo 2: Lock the legs
Tighten the locking nut up against the
frame of the washing machine to keep
the leg from turning.
If your washing machine
has been making loud
thumping noises and
moving across the floor when it's
in spin cycle, it probably needs to
be leveled. Fortunately, it's an easy
fix, though you may need a helper
to tilt up the machine.
Push the machine back into
position if it has moved across the
floor. Adjust the front legs to
make the machine level across the
front and from front to back
(Photo 1). The legs can usually
be turned by hand after the locking
nut at the top of the threads is
turned down, but if the threads
are rusted, use a wrench.
After leveling, lock the leg into
place with the locking nut
(Photo 2).
Step 2: Level the rear legs
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Photo 3: Loosen the rear legs
If the rear leveling mechanism is frozen
with rust, tap the legs a few times with a
pliers or hammer to break it free.
Most washing machines have
self-adjusting rear legs that level
from side to side, but dirt, lint and
rust may keep them from working
properly. If the back isn't level, tip
the washing machine up a few
inches and then set it back down
so the weight of the machine
loosens the legs. If the machine
still doesn't level out, the self-leveling
support may be rusted
against the washing machine
frame. Tip the machine off the
ground, then break the self-leveling
support loose by tapping the
legs (Photo 3).
