Why Does My Washing Machine Sound Like a Jet Engine?  

Unless you’re watching an action movie with fighter jets, you really shouldn’t feel like you’re at the airport within the walls of your own home. So, when your washing machine starts getting loud enough that you can’t even hear yourself think and it sounds like your washer might take flight, there’s likely a problem. 

The most likely contributor is going to be the ball bearings. These small objects may not seem mighty, but they’re an integral component of how your laundry room functions. The metal rings are what support the drum rotation and they’re usually found at the back of the appliance. We’ll look at the common symptoms and what you can do about them.

How to Tell If Your Ball Bearings Are Malfunctioning

If your ball bearings are starting to falter, you may notice the following:

• Your washing machine will sound like an actual jet or you’ll hear a tell-tale metal-on-metal clunking.
• Water or oil will start to leak from under the unit.
• You’ll get an overloaded error message from the washer dashboard.
• You find rust in or around the motor.
• There’s damage to other parts of the washing machine.
• The inner drum is moving more than a couple of millimeters when compared to the fixed outer drum.

It’s worth noting that LG, Kenmore, and Whirlpool washing machines are particularly prone to having problems with their ball bearings. Wear and tear cause these items to degrade, which will mean water seepage between them.

What You Can Do About Your Ball Bearings

When a washer begins to have issues with the degradation of ball bearings, we recommend replacing the outer tub, which will have new ball bearings in it. This is no simple DIY job. It is quite complex and we highly recommend hiring a professional to do the job. At Sarah’s Appliance Repair, we are here to help. We can both diagnose the problem, give recommendations so you can make the best decision for your situation, and perform the necessary repairs.

Having issues with your washer or another home appliance? Call Sarah’s Appliance Repair today at 208-534-7222 or visit our website here to fill out our service request form. We look forward to working with you!