Loud noise in washing machines can be annoying. The noises result from damaged parts or debris in the wash tub. It is important to determine the reason for the noise and rectify it as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Also, rectifying the cause of the noise will prolong the washing machine’s life and provide better efficiency.
GE Top load and Front load washers can give out noise for various reasons. Let us find out why your GE washing machine makes a loud noise and fix it with easy troubleshooting techniques.
Why is My GE Washing Machine Making a Loud Noise?
Your GE washer makes loud noise due to the following reasons:
- Improper loading can cause loud noise
- Foreign particles stuck in the wash tub
- The washer tub bearing might be worn out
- Transmission gears might be damaged
- The drive belt might be worn out
- The drive motor coupling might be damaged
Improper Loading Can Cause Loud Noise
Improper loading of laundry can cause severe vibration and noise from the machine. The uneven loading of the clothes causes an imbalance in the load distribution which makes the tub tumble vigorously.
Sometimes the washer may not spin properly and alarm you to redistribute the load.Unbalanced load is the major cause of noise. If you are new to using a washing machine, you must know how to load the machine properly.
Fix:
- Separate the laundry according to the size and type of fiber before putting them into the tub.
- This will evenly spread the load and enables the tub to spin without wobble.
- You can also follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for loading the machine.
Foreign Particles Stuck in the Tub
Most of the time noises can come from the washer drum due to foreign objects like coins that may get rattled while washing. People may forget to empty the pockets before putting the clothes for washing. If such foreign objects get inside your washer, they may start to rattle around and may even get in between the tub and outer body. This can start grinding the body and produce grinding sounds in your GE washer.
Fix:
- If you find a rattling sound from the washer, Remove the laundry, drain the water, and check the tub for foreign objects.
- If the objects are present above the tub, you can simply remove it.
- If you find the object to have fell in between the inner tub and outer tub body, you have to remove the drum to take the object out of the washer.
The Washer Tub Bearing is Worn Out
The washer tub has a bearing to rotate freely without any friction. But if this bearing is worn out, it can rub with the shaft and create a loud grinding noise when washing the clothes. Usually the bearing might take years to wear out. But if you don’t service the washer regularly, you can encounter such difficulties.
Normally, the washer tub might wear out soon due to heavy loading or with regular use of higher spin speeds. Therefore, you can load your washer properly and use appropriate wash cycle and spin cycle to prolong the life of the bearing.
Fix:
- You have to remove the washer tub from the machine and reach the bearing.
- Check the bearing for signs of wear and tear
- Buy replacement bearing from the GE parts store
- Install the new bearings and reinstall the tub back into the washer
- You may need professional assistance to perform this replacement. But if you have the right tools you can replace the washer tub bearing on your own.
Transmission Gears Might be Damaged
The rotation from the motor is transmitted to the washer tub through the transmission gearbox. If the gears in the system are damaged, they may cause loud noises from the appliance. Old top load washers use gear transmission system to turn the washer tub. Due to prolonged usage, the gears might have worn out and may probably slip frequently. Because of this, the washer might produce loud sounds during spin cycles or wash cycles.
Fix:
- You may have to remove the transmission system from the washer and check whether the gears are intact.
- If you find the gears to be worn out, then you have to replace the entire system with new gears.
- You should also grease the gears and apply proper lubricant to the shaft to ensure smooth rotation.
The Drive Belt Might be Worn Out
In some washer models, you can find drive belts that transfer the power from motor to the tub. These belts are attached to a drive pulley and they may get worn out after long usage. The drive belts get damaged due to severe spin speeds and improper loading.
Periodical maintenance of the drive belt will avoid such issues. You can follow the GE manufacturer’s specs regarding the drive belt and change the belt when it is due. It is also important to follow manufacturer’s guidelines for load size and ensure that you don’t exceed the washer’s capacity.
Fix:
- Remove the back panel of the washer and reach the motor drive system
- Using a screwdriver, pry out the belt from the drive pulley
- Get replacement belt from the GE parts store
- Install the belt by aligning it to the grooves of the pulley. Rotate the pulleys to fix the belt tightly around them.
- Replace the back panel of the washer
The Motor Drive Coupling Might Be Damaged
The motor drive coupler is the part that connects the shafts of motor and transmission. When this coupler is damaged, you can find the motor to spin at higher speeds due to absence of load. This high speed motor can cause squeaking noise and it’s best to replace the coupler to start using the machine properly.
Fix:
- Remove the back panel of the washer and reach the motor drive system
- Check for the coupler that connects the motor to the transmission drive
- Remove the coupler from the system using spanners and wrenches
- Get replacement coupler part and install the new coupler to the motor and transmission shafts.
GE washer loud noises are caused due to these reasons. If you encounter the washer to make noise during the spin cycle, check for these reasons and repair your washer immediately. Periodical maintenance and washer repair is a must to ensure better energy efficiency and prolonged usage.
