Transport bolts on the washing machine

Those who purchase washing machines are divided into two groups - some prefer to install the appliance themselves, while others entrust this task to professional craftsmen or knowledgeable acquaintances. Before you start the work, it is recommended to read the user manual very carefully and get acquainted with the recommendations of experts. If you are used to doing everything with your own hands, be prepared for the fact that such a simple, at first glance, task as installing and connecting the washing machine may conceal many pitfalls.

One of these nuances, to which novice masters are not ready, is the shipping screws. About what they are and what they are needed for, read below.

Shipping bolts are temporary fasteners that are installed on new appliances so that the shipping process will cause them less damage. In this case, we are talking about fasteners that fix the drum of the washing machine, protecting it from deformation and breakdowns that can occur as a result of a blow or fall of the unit during transportation.

We have already talked about the fact that the transport bolts are needed to ensure the safe transportation of the washing machine. When the machine stands in place, the drum inside it is positioned so that it does not touch the walls of the appliance. However, during transportation, shaking is inevitable, as a result of which the tank swings around and touches the internal parts of the machine. This can lead to extremely undesirable consequences, the most unpleasant of which is the loss of performance of the washing machine.

The transport bolts are located in the back of the washing machine. Usually they are screwed to the back panel, so it is better to remove them before the unit is installed in place. The number of fasteners can be different, but most often there are 3, 4 or 5. The opposite part of the bolt is attached to the tank, but in order to remove it, you do not need to disassemble the machine, as the bolts are very easy to pull out.

It does not take much time to dismantle the transport bolts, and you will need a very small set of tools. Some manufacturers come with a special wrench for this purpose, but an ordinary wrench of the appropriate size will do.

First, turn the machine so that you can comfortably get to the back panel. Use the wrench to loosen the fasteners by turning them counterclockwise. You can easily remove the bolts from the holes by hand. Look among the accessories that came with the washing machine for a set of plastic plugs - they are needed to mask the holes.

Below is a visual video tutorial on how to remove the bolts from the car.

But all this is only external manifestations. In fact, at this time, the mechanism of the washing machine causes serious damage, as a result of which the unit may become unrepairable. If the washer breaks down because you forgot to remove the shipping bolts, the service center will be entitled to deny service under warranty.

In the following video you can see how the machine behaves if the bolts are not removed.

If you need to reinstall the shipping bolts, for example in the case of moving or selling a washing machine, you need to do the same procedure, but in reverse order. First of all, you should remove the decorative plugs. To do this, you need to pick them up with a screwdriver or penknife. Then insert the bolts into the holes, press them slightly inside, and, armed with a screwdriver, tighten in a clockwise direction.

It is necessary to transport the washing machine in the same way as any other household appliance, that is, with the utmost care. The first thing to take care of is the presence of transport bolts. The second most important factor is the position of the unit. When transporting it, it is better to place it standing up or on its side, so that the pump is at the bottom - in this case the accumulated water inside will not get to the electronic unit.