What happens if you don't remove the shipping bolts on your washing machine?

The manufacturer's instructions, the loader, and the store assistant all warn: if you fail to remove the shipping bolts before using the washing machine, inevitable problems will arise. But not everyone knows what exactly awaits inattentive washing machine owners. We suggest exploring the consequences of not removing the shipping bolts promptly.

What can break?

Removing the transport bolts takes only a minute, but simple haste and inattention can play a bad joke on the owner. After all, if you forget about the fasteners, you can lose your newly purchased machine forever or create problems with the warranty and further operation. This prospect is explained simply.

The bolts used during transport are designed to secure the washing machine's moving drum. This prevents it from sagging or rotating during transit, ensuring safe and secure delivery. However, starting a cycle with the drum stationary will only cause harm:

• convulsive "jumps" around the room;
• uncontrolled vibration;
• loud knocks.

This is the most harmless thing that can happen to a washing machine in this case. More often, the outcome is much more tragic: the drum is damaged, and the machine itself fails.

Strong vibration will cause enormous stress on all parts of the washing machine, especially the bearing assembly and motor.

It's forbidden to operate a washing machine with the transport bolts in place precisely because they're too tight. The drum, clamped by the bolts, isn't suspended by the vibration-damping shock absorbers, and all the shock from the accelerating motor travels directly to the machine body. The situation is further aggravated by the fact that the laundry is unbalanced, bunching up and causing random vibrations. The drive type doesn't matter—failing shock absorbers will damage both direct-drive and belt-drive machines.

Avoiding this unpleasant prospect is easy: just remove all the transport bolts promptly. Or supervise the installers' work: look at the back panel of the machine and make sure there are any uncovered or uncovered holes left in place. If you can't find the slots for the fasteners, you can consult the instructions and the technical data sheet. Typically, four large screws are used for fastening, and their absence is easy to spot.

The fate of the guarantee

Even a single use of a washing machine with the shipping bolts attached will permanently void the owner's warranty. Washing with the fasteners still attached is a direct violation of one of the key instructions, which automatically voids the warranty. Therefore, if the consumer wishes to have third-party repairs carried out at the manufacturer's expense, the service center will refuse the repair.

It will not be possible to hide the fact of a breach of warranty. If you do not remove the transport bolts and start the machine, the drum will have characteristic damage that is easy to notice even to a non-professional eye.Any further repairs will have to be paid for out of pocket.

Financial losses can also be expected when selling a washing machine. The drum's condition is the first thing to be noticed, and there's a high chance that a bad start will leave an unpleasant knocking noise and increased vibration. Therefore, it's better to take the time to double-check than to go to the store for a new one.

   

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