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Washer Shock absorbers and suspension: What It Does and Signs It's Failing

The tub hangs inside the cabinet on springs or rods, with dampers to stop it slamming the sides in the spin. Front-loaders use a mix of springs and shock absorbers. Many top-loaders hang the tub from four suspension rods, one at each corner.

How it works

The springs or rods carry the weight and the dampers soak up the swing. Once they wear, the tub swings wider at speed, and the washer bangs, walks or cuts the spin short.

Signs it is failing

• Loud banging or knocking during the spin
• Heavy shaking that gets worse at top speed
• Washer walks across the floor
• Won't spin heavy loads, or keeps flagging normal loads as unbalanced

Unbalanced-load codes and short spins often come back to worn suspension once leveling and load size are ruled out.

Can you replace it yourself?

Spread the load out, level the washer, and try a few normal loads first. If it still bangs, unplug it, shut off the water, and replace the rods or shocks as a set, one at a time so the tub stays supported. Top-load springs are strong and the tub is heavy, so take it slow.

Buying the right part

Some shocks are sold singly and some rods come in sets of four, so check the listing. Whirlpool suggests replacing all four rods together, since they wear at the same rate.

Error codes linked to the shock absorbers and suspension

• E32 / F32Load is off-balanceBosch
• E4Top-loader out of balanceFrigidaire
• UELoad is unbalancedGE
• UELoad is unbalancedLG
• F0E5Load is off balance or too largeMaytag
• UBLoad is unbalancedSamsung
• F0E5Unbalanced loadWhirlpool

Last reviewed 2026-10-19.