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Washer Leveling legs and shipping bolts: What It Does and Signs It's Failing

The leveling legs screw into the bottom corners of the cabinet and set the washer flat and steady on the floor. Front-loaders also ship with bolts through the back panel that lock the tub in place for the trip. Those have to come out before the first load.

How it works

Turning a leg up or down tilts the cabinet, and a lock nut holds it once it's set. Some models have rear legs that level themselves. A rocking cabinet makes the tub's movement worse, and the washer shakes and walks.

Signs it is failing

• Washer rocks when you push on opposite corners
• Shaking and walking during the spin
• Loud vibration on a new install
• Motor speed code on a brand-new front-loader

Off-balance codes, and some motor-speed codes on new machines, come down to shipping bolts left in or a cabinet that isn't level.

Can you replace it yourself?

Lay a level across the top front to back and side to side, adjust the legs so all four sit firm and the cabinet stays close to the floor, then tighten the lock nuts. On a new front-loader, take out all four shipping bolts and their plastic spacers as the installation guide shows. Hang on to them in case you ever move the washer.

Buying the right part

Legs are usually sold one at a time. Check the rubber feet while you're down there and replace any that are worn or missing.

Error codes linked to the leveling legs and shipping bolts

• F7 E1Motor can't reach cycle speedAmana
• E4Top-loader out of balanceFrigidaire
• UELoad is unbalancedGE
• E3Spin problemHaier
• UELoad is unbalancedLG
• F0E5Load is off balance or too largeMaytag
• UBLoad is unbalancedSamsung
• F0E5Unbalanced loadWhirlpool

Last reviewed 2026-10-19.