GE Energy Star WCVH6260F Front Load Washer Logo
Posted on Oct 18, 2007

Violent Shaking/Pounding/Dancing During Spin-Cycle

I just purchased a brand new General Electric Front Loading Washer (model # WBVH6240FWW) from Sam's Club a few days ago. I installed it, attached the hoses, drainage, and everything then put a very light load of white towels in to test it out. It ran for the first 15-20-ish minutes just fine with no abnormal noise or movement, but then it all went downhill at the spin cycle.

After draining, it hit the spin cycle and began violently shaking and banging back and forth resulting in steady movement across the floor doing damage to the linoleum. I shut it off to check the balance and found it was leaning because the front right leg was a little shorter than the other three. I tipped it up and adjusted that leg to the same height of the others three, and "shook" it back and forth to check for movement. Nothing. I sat on top of it and yanked it with my full weight a little just to be certain it was solidly on the floor. Still nothing. Satisfied, I turned it back to the "Drain & Spin" setting and waited for the spin cycle to kick back on, and the violent shaking/banging continued like before.

I'm at a loss as to what is wrong. I can't tell that it is unleveled in any way, and it literally just came out of the box from the store with a matching dryer (which works perfectly btw). The trip inside the house was very soft and uneventful, so I'm sure no damage was done in transit.

Can anyone please help me out?

  • 3 more comments 
  • Anonymous Nov 07, 2007

    I'm having this problem and read that a thick rubber mat placed under the machine will absorb much of the vibration. Also, the problem may lie in a sagging or weak floor joist. If you own an older home you may want to shim up the floor and brace between floor joists to make the floor more rigid. I am currently in the process of inspecting and correcting weaknesses in a 60 year old home floor structure and hope this cures the shaking machine problem.

  • ckatz Nov 26, 2007

    We have a new similar model (6600). It also shakes violently (you can see the drum pounding the side and forcing it out),. It sits on a pedestal, which may magnify the prob, but it is the GE pedastal made for this machine. The wood floor is somewhat unlevel, but solid. The machine is sitting perfectly level in all directions. It replaces a Maytag Neptune which sat in the same spot for years and NEVER shook.



    To date, the GE authorized repairman has replaced every moving part, including the drum amd flywheel, but not the shocks. He ordered new shocks today. Fingers crossed.



    I have to believe that the problem is systemic, possibly a design problem, since replacing the drum, etc. helped somewhat. It seems that my only remaining option, if new shocks don't help, will be to go to war with GE. I fear that it may require me filing a claim in small claims court.

  • Frank M Jan 07, 2008

    I have had the same problem since I got the machine. I had a repairman look at it and he told me that the machine was fine and I should put something under the legs to prevent it from shifting and shaking. Any suggestions?

  • Kfish05 Apr 06, 2008

    My husband and I had the same problem with our GE Front Load Wash Machine. We had the violent shaking/pounding/moving problems and our clothes were still saturated with water when the cycle was complete. The spin cycle is when the problems take place.
    Four service calls later our machine was replaced.
    The first machine was serviced the balancing bricks were replaced and the spin cycle speed was adjusted to a higher speed. The feet of the machine were adjusted. This problem still continued. One of the repairman knew of the problem and stated the balancing bricks were the problem. He told us GE had problems with defective bricks.
    Now our second GE Front Loader is doing the exact same thing with one more added problem-the fabric softener location has water in it when the machine cycle is over.
    My floor and dryer are taking a beating due to the wash machine hitting the dryer and rubbing the linoleum floor.
    We have an appointment with GE next week.
    Hopeful that GE will come through for all of us!

  • jmwright Dec 14, 2008

    Same basic problem, since the machine was new. Machine [installed on level concrete] sometimes works fine, but often can't seem to balance a load, running for hours and ending with wet clothes. Had 3 repairmen out. The first one replaced the control board, but that didn't help. Others checked the pump, etc, and report the machine to be OK. They all have said that running with a large load helps, but that's an absurd solution.
    This seems to be a design problem, since other makes don;t seem to have the load distribution problem.
    My next step is to demand GE replace it, or small claims court.

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4 Answers

A

Anonymous

Problem solved
Remember that GE had replaced every thing including drum, balance wheel. pulleys, etc over 4 service calls totaling probably 2 hours. No help what so ever.

I asked the repairman if they had replaced the shocks. He said that they had removed them and all were working properly. After I insisted that the shocks also be replaced, the repairman, with rolled eyes, very reluctantly agreed to order 4 new shocks. (these are cheap plastic friction shocks).

When he came to install them, I watched and grabbed the old ones. I noticed that one was slightly less resistant to pressure than the others. He laughed and said that couldn't possibly make a difference.

After reassembly with new shocks, the violent shaking stopped and has never returned.

A

Anonymous

I had the same problem and the repairman told me that the shipping brace on the drum was not remove and it has been working fine

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A

Anonymous

Your problem is the same as mine -- the washer drum shaft was bent by mishandling in shipping (between the manufacturer and the distributer.  This is a warranty issue.  Call GE service.

  • Anonymous Aug 15, 2011

    i had the same problem, i took the top off and let it run to see what it was.. It was the rear counter balance, ( looks like a piece of cement) the bolts had loosen up or were never really tight.. ps. dont over tighten just make the snug.

    it fixed my problem

    charles

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A

Anonymous

Take the shipping bolts out from the back

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