Clothes washing machines must be level in order to perform properly. Washing machines that are not level will have intense vibrations, and literally dance in place. These intense vibrations can damage the washing machines. All washing machines have adjustable feet in the front of the unit, most have self adjusters in the rear. Some machines require that all 4 feet be manually adjusted for level.
- Unplug the washing machine.
- The best starting position for leveling is with both of the adjustable feet showing approximately a 1/2 inch of thread below the locknut. If either of the pads of the feet are tight to the locknut or extended to a point where there is little thread left in the captive nut, loosen both lock nuts and screw the feet in or out until you have obtained about a 1/2 inch of thread. Tilt the washing machine forward to allow the rear feet to self adjust and then set the machine down.
Figure 1 - Leveling Washing Machine
- Place the level on the front of the washing machine, as shown in Figure 1. If the washing machine is level, left to right, go to step 5. If the machine is not level continue with step 4.
- Turn the foot that is needed to raise the low corner of the washing machine to a level position. Tilt the washing machine forward to allow the rear feet to self adjust. Lower the machine and verify that it is level left to right.
- Place the level on the machine back to front and confirm that the machine is level. Do this procedure on both the left and right sides.
- If the machine is not level, front to back, tilt the machine forward again. Lower the washing machine and recheck for level, front to back. If the machine is still not level adjust the front feet in equally in the amount of turns to bring the machine to level front to back.
- Check for level right to left.
- Tighten the front locknuts with a wrench.
- Plug the washing machine back into its power receptacle.
Note 1: In many cases the tops of washing machines are not flat and have raised edges that act as drip guards. In order for the level to read properly, it must rest on a flat area, inside the drip edges.
Note 2: It is not unusual to have to go back and forth a few times between the front feet in order to get the washing machine completely level, left to right and front to back.