Whirlpool Washer Making Loud Noises During The Wash Cycle?

When it comes to washers, dryers, and kitchen appliances, Whirlpool is one of the most recognizable brands on the market. They have been around for years, becoming a favorite of customers everywhere for their line of products.

Whirlpool washers can make a loud noise during the wash cycle due to a bad transmission, drive pulley, or belt. Worn bearings, damaged motor coupling, and clutch issues can also cause a Whirlpool washer to be loud during a cycle. Inspect the drain pump and replace bad parts to reduce the noise during operation.

Part of being a do-it-yourself is learning on the fly. You know that your washing machine is making some kind of weird noise but you’re not certain what it is. You think that the bearing could be bad, so you take the washer apart to inspect the issue. But what are you looking for? How do you know if the bearings are bad?

Outer drum. When the washing machine is noisy during the spin cycle, that is indicative of a drum bearing issue. You can check this by seeing if the inner drum moves relative to the outer drum, which is fixed. There should only be a small amount of movement. If it is more than that, you can safely assume the bearings are bad.

Drum holes. When that noise is persistent during the wash cycle, you may hear a high-pitched whine. Check to see fi there are any objects trapped in the drum holes. If those are free and clear, check out the motor bearings.

Bearing kits. When you do need to replace an existing bearing, make sure that any of the seals are replaced as well. Bearing failures are commonly the result of a failed seal that lets water get down into the bearings. Be safe and replace the existing seals.

For the most part, bearing issues are the result of simple wear and tear. Time will eventually get the best of any machine component no matter what it is. Bearings will degrade with each use and water will eventually get down into the bearings through worn seals. When water gets onto the bearings, they can and will rust.

There are two signs that you have a defective bearing on your hands: loud noises and inner drum movement. You can perform a quick troubleshooting to see if either of those are abnormal, telling you if the bearings are bad.

Before answering, it should be noted that swapping out the bearings should be done as soon as possible when you notice that they have gone bad. That said, yes, you can use the washer for a little longer if need be.

Faulty bearings may not play a role in the competence of the washer, but they certainly can damage other components within the appliance. The outer drum, shaft, basket, and even some electrical components can become damaged due to faulty bearings.

If you let faulty bearings go for too long, it can even result in your washing machine breaking down entirely. When you notice that you have a bearing issue, get to it as soon as you can. Doing so means avoiding more damage than is necessary, saving you on major repair costs later on.

The purpose of the clutch is to make a connection between the inner tub and the transmission. The clutch is meant to help the tub get up to the proper spinning speed gradually, keeping the tub from spinning out of control.

When the clutch wears down over time, it may create a loud noise, particularly during the spin cycle. The unfortunate thing is that the clutch cannot be replaced. When it wears down enough, it will have to be replaced entirely. Clutch issues tend to be more of an issue during the spin cycle rather than the rinse cycle.

Much like the clutch, the motor coupling is meant to connect the motor and the washer transmission. The motor coupling can fail over time and sometimes purposefully so. When the washer has been overloaded, the motor coupling fails in order to protect both the transmission and the motor.

Over time, the motor coupling can wear down, eventually failing due to normal wear and tear. Give the motor coupling a once over to determine if there is excessive wear and tear, damage, or if it has been broken. When the motor coupling has been broken, you will need to replace it entirely.

The clutch and motor coupling work in tandem with the transmission. The goal is to ensure that the inner tub can get up to speed exponentially and that it doesn’t spin at excessively high speeds at any point.

The transmission, like the other components, can become worn down or it may be defective entirely. There are gears in the transmission that can each fail, leading to the washer to sound louder than normal even if it still works. Check the other components first before eventually moving on to the transmission, replacing it if is damaged or defective.

When the wash cycle finishes, the water within the inner tub needs to be able to drain out. If the water can’t drain properly, the washer may not be able to perform the other cycles. Should you notice a loud noise while the washer is draining, the most likely reason is the drain pump.

The good news is that it doesn’t automatically mean that the drain pump is bad. It could be as simple as something like a small article of clothing getting stuck in the drain pump. Take out the drain pump and check for any possible blockages or obstructions. Should there be none, and the noise persists, then you may need to replace the drain pump entirely.