Where are the transport bolts on a Beko washing machine?

New users don't always know how to properly prepare their washing machine for use. It's important not only to install the appliance correctly and connect it to all utilities, but also to remove the manufacturer's shipping bolts for safe transport. This procedure is usually performed only once, so not every homeowner knows where these shipping bolts are located or what to do with them. We'll explain this crucial part of washing machine installation in detail.

Location of fasteners

The brand new Beko washing machine is no different from other brands' "home helpers," at least when it comes to the transport bolts. They're easy to find if you know where to look.

• If you have a front-loading washing machine, the bolts will be installed on the rear panel of the washing machine.
• If you purchased a top-loading machine, the bolts may be either at the back or on the top panel of the washing machine.

It's best to carefully read the user manual before using a complex Beko washing machine – this will help you avoid common mistakes and ensure proper installation.

If it so happens that you do not have official instructions, then you just need to carefully inspect the unit’s body. Often, shipping bolts are installed along the edges of the rear panel. If this isn't your first front-loading washing machine, just pay attention to where the bolts were on your previous "home helper," as the bolt locations are usually the same.

What purpose do they serve?

Now that we've figured out where to look for shipping bolts, it's time to examine their purpose. Their purpose is that, unlike washing machines, any other household appliance is relatively easy to transport, as it can be generously packed in cardboard, foam, paper, and other cushioning materials to prevent damage during shipping.

But if we're talking about a Beko washing machine, the design of the machine can seriously damage its internal components during transport—for example, the tub and drum, which are always suspended and barely secured. This design helps reduce vibration during washing and spinning, but leaves the machine relatively vulnerable during transport.

To prevent the drum from hitting the machine body during delivery and damaging the internal components, it is secured with shipping bolts, keeping it in place. This ensures that the drum and the entire Beko washing machine can withstand any road, regardless of its condition.

Moreover, the bolts themselves in Beko equipment are no different from the transport bolts in washing machines of other brands. They look like an elongated screw with a spiral metal rod, the tip of which is a polymer pad separated from the rod by a rubber insert.

What if we don't touch the bolts?

No Beko washing machine model should be operated with the transport bolts removed under any circumstances. This is because, after starting a wash cycle, the machine's motor will rapidly accelerate in an attempt to spin the drum, but will encounter a tightly locked tub. This excessive force can damage the drum, shaft, bearings, and all key components located nearby. Therefore, the longer the cycle continues in this condition, the more components will fail.

Almost every family today has an automatic washing machine, which is why users are so confident in their ability to install it themselves. But it's one thing to install it yourself without professional help, and quite another to ignore the instructions, which clearly state the need to remove the transport bolts. If the user didn't know about them or simply forgot to remove them, the machine will alert you with various symptoms.

• Increased vibration levels, not typical for a washing machine.
• The machine will bounce rapidly during operation, even more vigorously than during spinning at maximum drum speed.
• The wash cycle will be accompanied by sharp, unpleasant sounds that are not typical for the operating cycle.

Be sure to stop the machine if you suddenly realize you forgot to remove the bolts before starting a wash cycle. To do this, immediately press the cycle stop button and unplug the power cord. Next, you'll need to call a service technician to perform a full diagnosis and determine the extent of the damage.

Using a Beko washing machine with transit bolts will void the warranty, so you will have to pay for the repairs yourself.

In rare cases, users are lucky, and the repair is limited to replacing the shock absorbers. However, if your "home helper" stops working after a long time, you should be prepared for either expensive repairs or a new one. That's why it's so important to remember the shipping bolts!

   

1 reader comment

1. July 27, 2023 at 8:07 PM

   Nina:

   Thanks for the heads-up. I realized the Beko has 5 shipping bolts. I bought the machine but haven't installed it yet.

   Answer