How to remove shipping bolts on a washing machine

Transporting a washing machine is a necessary procedure. Any equipment must be delivered from a warehouse (store) to the consumer. In case of a breakdown, you will also have to take the car for repairs.

In order not to damage the unit when moving, it is necessary that all parts are securely fastened with special clamps. You need to be especially careful about this when purchasing goods from a display case.

Important! Transport fasteners must either be included with the main product or already installed.

The content of the article

Functions of the transport fastener
Where are the fasteners located and how to remove them
What happens if the bolts are not unscrewed?
How to transport a washing machine correctly

Functions of the transport fastener

The design of washing machines is such that the tank with a metal drum inside swings freely inside the body. For washing this is an excellent solution, but for transportation it is a disaster. Any shock to a steel machine can damage the drum, especially if it is made of plastic.

To prevent this from happening, the machine is equipped with transport fastenings - bolts with a hex head and two washers. They fix all the insides of the unit and prevent its damage.

The diameter of the bolts is 12–14 mm. In some brands there are fasteners with a diameter of 10 mm. The rubber washer is in direct contact with the body, and the steel washer tightens the fastening.The bolt is also fitted with a special plastic cylinder, which fills the small space between the machine body and the internal parts, rigidly fixing the elements.

Where are the fasteners located and how to remove them

If the machine has a front loading (LG, Ariston), then the bolts are always located at the rear (see photo).

For vertical machines (Indesit, Zanussi, Whirlpool), fasteners can be on both the top and rear walls.

The number of bolts ranges from 4 to 6 pieces. Sometimes there are 3 or 2 of them, as for example in compact Kandy cars

Procedure:

First you need to loosen all the bolts using a wrench (Indesit, Bosch, LG machines have such a wrench included), turning them counterclockwise with a little force;
Push the screw until it stops, approximately 20 mm;
Without removing the screws, remove the rubber washer and plastic cylinder from the pear-shaped hole;
Then remove the bolts themselves;
Close the holes with special plastic plugs that are supplied with the machine. They are necessary to protect the insides of the machine from moisture or debris.

Reference! If there is no key, then as a last resort, you can use pliers. A screwdriver is not suitable for this purpose!

For Candy washing machines:

Unscrew the two screws on the back wall and remove the top cover;
Remove the 2 bolts that hold the metal plate in place;
Remove the foam insert;
Replace the top cover and secure it with screws.

In some brands of cars, for example, Gorenje or Miele, the fastening function is performed by metal pins. They are removed with pliers.

The pin head is grasped tightly and rotated 90 degrees. The protrusions on the end should align with the slots on the machine body.After this, they are removed through the hole.

Reference! It happens that plastic washers slip off the screw and fall to the bottom of the case. In this case, they are taken out through the front panel of the machine. There are two holes on it: one is located next to the drain pump filter, the second is on the right, where the drain hose is located. You need to pull it a little by the cap. The body has slight tilts in both directions. When washing, vibrations are created, and after the machine has completed the cycle, the cylinders will be located near these holes. You can get them out by hooking them with something sharp, for example, a piece of wire.

All removed fasteners must be retained. They will be needed for further transportation.

What happens if the bolts are not unscrewed?

Some customers are in a hurry to start using their purchase and do not attach importance to the fact that the fasteners remain in the case. Meanwhile, this is fraught with serious damage, up to the complete loss of the machine’s functionality.

Remember! Using washing machines with fasteners not removed is strictly prohibited!

As already mentioned, the drum is attached to the tank using shock absorbers. When the shipping fasteners clamp the drum, the bolts not only touch the tank, deforming it. When the unit operates, a huge load occurs on all engine parts and bearings.

This is especially noticeable when the spin function is turned on. All vibration is transmitted to the machine body. It begins not only to vibrate, but also to “jump” across the floor, making unpleasant noises. Bellee At the same time, it is distributed unevenly throughout the tank, worsening the quality of the wash.

Reference! That is why exhibition samples of cars do not have fasteners inside.When purchasing a product from a display, customers should be especially careful to ensure that the bolts are in place prior to transportation.

How to transport a washing machine correctly

In order for the car to arrive safe and sound, certain rules must be followed. Before transportation you must:

clean the car;
drain the remaining water;
disconnect the hoses;
Using a knife or screwdriver, lightly pry the edge of the plug and remove it;
put sealing strips on the bolts;
install fasteners.

For proper installation, you need to accurately hit the ends of the bolts into the thread holes. Since the thread will most likely become clogged during operation, this requires some effort. To ensure that the tank does not interfere with proper installation, it must be turned slightly by hand.

The machine must be transported either in a horizontal position or on its side, with the ditch down.

If the bolts are lost or broken, you should contact a workshop to make duplicates. It is not recommended to buy fasteners for cars of another brand.

It is important to remember that transportation without fasteners is fraught with serious consequences, including complete failure of the machine. Bolts must be installed even when the machine is moved from one room to another.

Thus, when washing, the fasteners must be removed, and when transporting, they must be reinstalled. If a breakdown occurs due to non-compliance with these rules, then the fault lies entirely with the consumer. In this case, workshops have every right to refuse warranty service, and you will have to pay for expensive repairs out of your own pocket.