Maytag Washer Violently Shaking During Spin Cycle? (Fix It Now!)

Ossiana Tepfenhart
by Ossiana Tepfenhart
Maytag washers are durable and reliable, so it can be quite a surprise when it starts shaking violently during the spin cycle. Any brand washer can shake violently during the spin cycle for several reasons, such as overloading and damaged shock absorbers. Whether it be a worn shock dampener, uneven loading, or a damaged balance ring, let’s take a look at the key reasons your Maytag washer shakes during the spin cycle.

Maytag remains one of the biggest names in washing machines, which is why they are so remarkably popular throughout the world. Of course, even the most popular machines can still have issues.

Many Maytag machines tend to start shaking violently during their spin cycle. A little shaking is normal, but your machine shouldn’t look like a ticking time bomb. What’s going on here?

If your Maytag washer is violently shaking during the spin cycle, this could mean that you’ve put too much laundry in the washer. Try lightening the load, or re-distributing it. If that doesn’t work, you may have a bad shock absorber or dampener, and it will need to be replaced.

There are so many moments where a peaceful day of washing turn upside down from a washing machine that doesn’t sound right. This guide will ensure that you get to keep your Maytag nice and quiet.

Do You Need Appliance Repair Services?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

Before You Get Techy: Check Your Load

Maytag is a washing machine brand that you can trust, and it’s fairly famous for being reliable. That means that hearing your machine rattle and shake during a spin cycle doesn’t mean you need to panic. In most cases, it actually has something to do with your washer’s load. Hit the pause button and open your washer. Here’s what you should look for…

Uneven Loading

Did you recently jam all your clothing into one side of the washing machine? Maybe it was a blanket that was just too bulky? Well, you might not hear the washer shake when it’s filled with water. When the water drains and it’s spinning, the uneven load can end up banging against the tub walls, giving a violent shake to the washer.

This fix is easy. Stop the washing machine and even out your laundry load. You should notice an end to the shaking.

Excessive Weight In The Machine

Another major issue that can cause violent shaking in the spin cycle is a load of laundry that’s too heavy. For example, packing in a couple of weighted blankets may be more than a washing machine can handle. Extreme weight in the washing machine can cause the machine to undergo heavy stress. The end result? A violently shaky machine during the spin cycle, simply because the weight is throwing around the tub.

The easiest fix for this is to remove some of the load and to try to let the machine finish up the cycle. Once the cycle is done with fewer clothes, you can add the remaining clothes to the machine for their own spin cycle.

Time To Get Mechanical: Spin Cycle Exclusive Issues

Let’s say that you’ve been making an effort to put fewer clothes and space them out evenly, yet the machine is still shaking and rattling. This means that your Maytag washing machine has a mechanical issue. For the sake of this article, we’re going to focus on causes that are strictly for a violent shake during the spin cycle exclusively. Here’s what it could be.

A Faulty Balance Ring

Every washing machine has a balance ring that is meant to act as a counterweight for the spin cycle. It’s filled with fluid to help keep the machine’s use stable. When the balance ring is functioning properly, the machine will have less shaking. When the ring breaks or gets off-balance, the counterweight that kept the spin cycle in check is no longer able to work.

If your balance ring loses the fluid that helped keep it working, then you will need to replace the balance ring. Otherwise, the spin cycle will continue to make your machine shake violently.

A Bad Shock Dampener

Maytags have shock dampeners in almost all their models. This is a part of the machine that is specifically designed to help cushion the shakes during the spin cycle. It’s a major part of the washing machine’s ability to handle the centripetal force that makes the spin cycle so effective.

Like with many parts of your washing machine, you will have to open up the machine and refer to the owner’s manual to determine where your dampeners are. If you notice that your dampener looks bad, you will have to replace it.

A Bad Shock Absorber

Shock absorbers act a lot like a car’s shocks in the sense that they do similar stuff. In cars, shocks are what help cushion the car when it shakes or hits a pothole. A shock absorber is what helps cushion the shaking of the machine while it’s working.

A typical machine has more than one shock absorber, and if you’ve really run a lot of loads, you might have noticed a sudden increase in shaking. If your shock absorbers separated or if one broke, you will have to replace all of them in order to ensure that others won’t break down. Shock absorber failure is particularly noticeable in the spin cycle.

Want to learn about how to inspect and replace your shock absorber? Check out the video below.

What If My Maytag Washing Machine Also Shakes During Other Phases Of The Washing Session?

We made a point to focus on things that can make a machine shake that are specifically related to the spin cycle of a typical wash. However, there are a bunch of other causes. In an ideal situation, you would call a repairman to make a diagnostic here since there are far more parts that can go awry than just one or two. The most common culprits include:

  • Suspension Rods. The suspension rods of your machine help dampen the shaking from the twists and turns that the tubs make. Wear and tear can make them snap, which in turn, can cause the machine to shake wildly throughout the entire washing process. Replacement is usually the only option.
  • Counterbalance and Suspension Springs. Both of these types of springs are used to help cushion and balance out the washing machine’s tubs. If any of these springs snap, you will have a very shaky, off-balance washing machine. Replace them, and add a little WD-40 to make sure they stay stretchy.
  • Rear Drum with Bearing. This can be a pretty bad repair. If the bearings break on your rear drum, you will get a very violently shaking machine before you get a machine that no longer spins. Replacing the rear drum and bearings is what you need to do. Unfortunately, this is exceedingly pricey and it often doesn’t make financial sense to do so.

Will My Warranty Help Fix My Washing Machine?

If nothing else, Maytag is a brand that is remarkably reliable when it comes to their warranties. The brand has a reputation for offering up a great warranty that covers a wide variety of parts. How much coverage you get, though, depends on the model you choose to buy and how long the warranty is good for.

Most Maytag warranties will cover your washing machine parts on a limited basis, so you actually have to call the company to figure out what will be covered. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to get the motor and drum covered for at least 10 years. The first five years of most Maytag models will have both labor and parts covered fully. That’s why Maytag is one of the washing machine brands people love, rather than avoid.

Do You Need Appliance Repair Services?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.


Related Questions

How much does it cost to repair a Maytag washing machine?

Believe it or not, Maytag is one of the most affordable luxury washing machine brands when it comes to repairs. On average, you will only need to spend between $175 to $350 to get your machine repaired. This does not take the warranty offered by Maytag, either.The first five years of using a Maytag will involve a warranty that covers both labor and parts for virtually all repairs. After that, you get to enjoy a limited 10-year warranty on the machine’s main parts. That makes most repairs fairly affordable, even if it’s something major like a drum.


When should you repair a washing machine, rather than replace it?

The general rule of thumb is that repairing a washing machine always makes sense when you have a warranty that can be used to help foot the bills. Once the warranty stops covering it, the rule of thumb is that you should repair the machine if the price to repair it is less than 50 percent of the cost of the machine.Of course, age also tends to make an impact in the decision to repair or replace an item. If your machine is older than 10 years of age, replace it. It’s on its way out.


Is Maytag owned by Whirlpool?

Whirlpool is one of the largest corporations in the world when it comes to home appliances both large and small. Maytag is one of Whirlpool’s main subsidiaries, which means, yes, it’s owned by the juggernaut. Other Whirlpool brands include KitchenAid, Amana, JennAir, Garageworks, and Consul.Believe it or not, Whirlpool doesn’t just work with appliances. The megacorporation also has a stake in Yummly food brands, which sense customized recipes directly to your inbox. As a result, many speculate that Whirlpool is expanding its reach.

Related Guides

Ossiana Tepfenhart
Ossiana Tepfenhart

Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.

More by Ossiana Tepfenhart

Next