Washer Suspension Spring — What Fixes a Shaking or Off-Balance Washer
Need the replacement part? Search your model number at for guaranteed fit and fast free shipping.
Understanding the Problem
What the suspension spring is and why it matters: Suspension springs support the washer tub and keep it centered during fill and spin. When springs stretch, break or detach the tub will sag, hit the cabinet during spin, vibrate violently, or cause clothes to clump — often triggering off-balance behavior. Below are practical diagnostic steps and a full replacement procedure. Follow your model's service manual for specifics. Diagnostic & repair steps: 1) Safety first: Unplug the washer and shut off the water supply. Move the washer away from the wall so you can access panels. Have a friend help if you need to tip or move the machine. 2) Confirm the symptom: Run a spin-only cycle (no clothes) and watch/listen. Excessive banging, rubbing against the cabinet, loud clunks as speed increases, or the tub leaning to one side indicate suspension/spring issues. 3) Access the springs: On most top-load washers you remove the top panel or control console (some models use clips accessible from the front). On some front-load machines there are shock absorbers instead of springs—don’t confuse them. Consult your model’s parts diagram if unsure. 4) Inspect visually: Look for springs that are broken, stretched/sagging, rusted through, or disconnected from their hooks/retainers. Also inspect the plastic spring retainers or clips for cracks or missing pieces. 5) Manual check: Support the tub with a block or strap. Push down on the tub — a healthy spring setup should give controlled resistance and return the tub to center. If the tub drops, tilts, or bounces loosely, springs (or retainers) are bad. 6) Prepare for replacement: Buy OEM suspension springs and any retainer clips. It’s best to replace all springs (and retainers) together to maintain even suspension. 7) Support the tub: Before removing springs, support the tub so it can’t drop when springs are unhooked. Use a bungee cord, rope or a wooden block under the tub spinner hub. 8) Remove old springs: Unhook springs from their upper and lower anchors or remove spring retainers. Use pliers if needed. Keep note of orientation and which spring goes where (some kits have left/right/center springs). 9) Install new springs: Hook one end into the tub ring and the other into the cabinet bracket or retainer. Make sure the spring seats fully into the retainer notch and any plastic retainer snaps into place. If your model uses a retainer ring (W10145155-style), press it in firmly. 10) Test by hand: Release the support slowly and press the tub to verify even resistance and correct seating. Turn the tub by hand to ensure no rubbing. 11) Reassemble and test: Put panels back, reconnect power and water, run a test spin with a small load to confirm vibration is gone. Safety note: Springs hold the tub; if the tub isn’t supported when removing springs it can fall and cause injury or damage. Always unplug power and support the tub securely before disconnecting springs.
Common Symptoms
Washer vibrates or bangs during spin, tub rubs against cabinet, washer walks, frequent off-balance cycles or error codes, visible sagging or detached spring.
Common Causes
- Springs stretched, corroded, or broken from age and repeated loads
- Spring retainers/clips cracked or missing, allowing springs to disconnect
- One or more springs detached or installed incorrectly after a previous repair
Popular Parts That Fix This Problem
These are the most common replacement parts that fix this problem. When you're ready to order, click below to find the right part at ProsourceParts.com — just search by your appliance model number for a guaranteed fit.
Helpful Repair Tip
Press down on the empty tub with the lid open: if it drops easily, tilts, or doesn't spring back evenly, one or more suspension springs (or their retainers) are faulty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many suspension springs does a typical top-load washer have?
Most top-load washers use 3 or 4 suspension springs (often three around the tub and one center support on some models). Some newer models use dampers or shocks instead—front-load washers typically use shock absorbers, not springs.
Can I replace just one broken spring or do I need to replace them all?
You can technically replace a single broken spring, but because springs wear unevenly and change tension with age, it’s best practice to replace the entire set (and retainers) at once for even suspension and longer life.
Related How-To Videos
Real DIY Repair Stories
Be the first to share your repair story!
Share Your Repair Story
Your experience helps other homeowners fix their appliances. Tell us how it went!
Can't Fix It Yourself? Find a Local Technician
It's perfectly okay to call a professional. Some repairs require specialized tools, deep teardowns, or dealing with complex systems that are better left to the pros.
Find the Right Part for Your Appliance
Don't guess — search your exact appliance model number at ProsourceParts.com to find the correct OEM compatible replacement part. They offer fast free shipping, guaranteed fit, and thousands of parts in stock.
Your Free Parts Videos
Whether your dishwasher won't drain, your dryer stopped heating, or your fridge isn't cold, we've created simple repair guides for the most common appliance problems homeowners face. Each guide explains what's going wrong, the most likely causes, and which replacement parts fix the issue. When you're ready to order, we link directly to ProsourceParts.com where you can search by model number and get the right part shipped fast.