How to remove transport bolts on a washing machine?
Shipping bolts are always present in a new washing machine. If they aren't removed before use, they can interfere with its proper operation and even damage your appliance. In this article, we'll explain what these bolts are used for, how to find them, and what you need to do to remove them.
Transport bolts serve a very important function. They secure the washing machine's tub in place. This essential precaution is necessary to protect the washing machine during transport and lifting. These locking elements prevent internal parts from touching each other or the walls when the machine body tilts or sways during transport. This helps protect not only the washing machine's drum but also its other components. These include:
- Bearings,
- shock absorbers,
- and other spare parts.
Shock absorbers with bearings provide flexible mounting of the tank and reduce its vibration during washing, rinsing and spinning.
How to remove shipping bolts?
Bolts are essential for transporting the washing machine, but when used for its intended purpose, they will only get in the way. Therefore, before washing your laundry for the first time, you must wring them out. This is no less important than the correct installation of this type of household appliance and its careful operation.
We recommend you note in advance that if your washing machine breaks because you forgot to remove bolts, the damage is entirely your fault. No service center will repair your new, but already broken, machine under warranty. This means you'll have to pay to have it repaired.
Finding the shipping bolts in a washing machine is very easy. They are located on the back wall of the machine. Typically, there are three to four of them. Some brands of washing machines use metal pins instead. This is common in appliances manufactured by Mille and Gorenje. Although rare, it does happen that certain models have a specific location for the bolts. For example, in one machine, the bolts were located under the top of the machine.
You can almost always find bolt location information in the included instructions.
To remove the bolts, you'll need a standard wrench of the appropriate size (usually 10 to 14 mm). If you don't have a wrench, you can use pliers. The shipping pins are removed with pliers. To remove them, grasp them with the pliers and twist them sideways a quarter turn. They will then slide free from the housing.
The holes left by the screws should be plugged with plastic plugs. These plugs are included with the kit. The plugs are more decorative than practical. However, it's possible that they might slightly reduce the noise the machine makes during washing.
Transporting a washing machine
It's best to save the shipping bolts rather than throw them away. They might come in handy when transporting your car. As mentioned above, they will help maintain the functionality of its parts during transportation.
To install the bolts, you'll need to pry the caps off with a thin, flat object (such as a knife or a flat-blade screwdriver), then remove them all. After that, you can insert the bolts into the holes and tighten them.
You can also watch a video that shows the removal of the shipping bolts and the complete installation of the washing machine:
Interesting:
11 reader comments
Add a comment
Headings
Washing machine repair
For buyers
For users
Dishwasher
Good afternoon! Could you please tell me if I can buy transport bolts for my washing machine from you?
Good afternoon! Unfortunately, this site is informational and does not engage in commercial activities. I believe you can purchase what you need at a service center.
When installing the washing machine, we forgot to remove the shipping bolts. We washed it once after it started vibrating. We unscrewed everything. But I noticed some dripping underneath the machine, about 8-10 drops per wash. Could you please tell me if this is because we forgot to remove the shipping bolts or if the machine is defective (we just bought it today). And if I return it under warranty, will it be immediately obvious from the inside that the bolts were removed?
I wonder how it went?
Thank you))) It helped us a lot)))
Hello. After transporting my dishwasher, I unscrewed the transport bolts, but water started leaking from the two lower holes where the bolts were screwed in during washing. Please tell me what I can do.
I have the same thing.
Thank you!
Hello! I'm curious: are there transport bolts on a semi-automatic drum-type washing machine? It bounces a lot during the spin cycle! Thank you!
Hello? Is it possible to leave the plugs out? We removed the bolts, but there are no plugs.
Part of the transport bolt fell into the car, what should I do?