Amana Washing Machine: drum banging

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Experiencing loud banging or knocking sounds from your Amana washing machine drum? This issue often occurs during the spin cycle, characterized by rhythmic hits against the cabinet and erratic movement. Common causes include an unbalanced load, a washer that is not level, or worn components. Addressing these can restore quiet operation.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

  • Ensure shipping bolts are removed on new installations; if still present, they can cause noise and vibration

Possible Causes

Unbalanced laundry load

How to Identify: Noise resolves or reduces after redistributing clothes evenly; heavy items alone in drum cause imbalance

Part: Drum & load distribution

Washer not level

How to Identify: Use a bubble level to check machine; uneven machine vibrates or rocks during spin

Part: Leveling feet/machine support

Worn/damaged shock absorbers or suspension components

How to Identify: Drum bounces excessively; loud banging persists even with balanced load and level machine

Part: Shock absorbers/suspension rods

Loose or worn drum bearings

How to Identify: Persistent rumbling/grinding with banging, drum feels loose when moved by hand

Part: Drum bearings

Foreign objects in drum or between drum and tub

How to Identify: Rattling or clunking besides banging, found object on inspection

Part: Drum interior area

DIY Solutions

Redistribute and balance laundry load

Easy 2–5 minutes
  1. Pause the wash cycle
  2. Open door and redistribute clothes evenly around the drum
  3. Resume cycle
⚠️ Safety First: Pause and unplug machine before redistributing

Level the washing machine

Moderate 10–20 minutes
Tools Needed: bubble level, wrench for feet adjustment
  1. Place bubble level on top of machine front-to-back and side-to-side
  2. Adjust leveling feet until machine is balanced and stable
  3. Tighten lock nuts on leveling feet
  4. Test with a short spin cycle
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure machine is unplugged before adjusting

Remove foreign objects from drum

Easy 5–15 minutes
Tools Needed: flashlight
  1. Open washer door
  2. Inspect drum and area between drum and tub for objects
  3. Remove any found items
  4. Run a short cycle to verify noise gone
⚠️ Safety First: Unplug machine before reaching into crevices

Next step

Choose the next step for drum banging

Confirm the diagnosis before ordering. An error code can identify the system involved, but it does not prove that a specific part has failed.

Other parts options

Check related components first; use model search as a fallback.

Possible related component

Washer Suspension Rod Kit

Supports and stabilizes the washer tub during agitation and spin.

$35 - $120 · Medium · 45-90 mins

Check fit & price
Possible related component

Drum Bearing Kit

Supports the spinning drum and ensures smooth, quiet rotation during cycles.

$40 - $95 · Hard · 120-180 mins

Check fit & price
Model number required

Model-compatible Washing Machine parts

Enter the complete model number to browse compatible replacement parts. This is a model-based parts search, not a diagnosis that a specific component failed.

Find a part that fits my model

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Optional routine care

Maintenance supplies

These products support cleaning or routine upkeep. They are separate from the possible repair components above and are not claimed to fix this error code or symptom.

Maintenance supply

Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets

Routine tub-cleaning supplies for residue and odor control. They do not repair a mechanical, drainage, or electronic fault.

View maintenance supply
Maintenance supply

Braided Washer Inlet Hoses

A maintenance replacement option for visibly worn external fill hoses. Verify thread size, length, and hot/cold connection requirements.

View maintenance supply
Maintenance supply

Washer Drain Hose Holder

Helps secure an external drain hose at the standpipe. It does not correct an internal pump or control fault.

View maintenance supply

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Recommendations are based on routine-care relevance, not commission rate.

Professional Repairs

Replace worn shock absorbers or suspension springs

Estimated Cost: $60 - $180

Replace drum bearings

Estimated Cost: $100 - $300

When to Call a Professional

Banging continues after balancing load and leveling
Drum feels loose or there are symptoms of internal component failure (bearing noise, excessive vibration)
Visible damage to suspension or internal parts

Preventive Maintenance

  • Ensure correct load size and distribution: Unbalanced load related banging
    Frequency: Every wash
  • Check machine level periodically: Vibration and drum banging
    Frequency: Monthly or after relocation
  • Inspect drum and remove foreign objects: Noise from trapped items
    Frequency: Monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Washing Machine drum banging?
The drum may be banging due to an unbalanced load, the washer not being level, or worn shock absorbers.
How do I fix Amana Washing Machine drum banging myself?
Redistribute the laundry, level the washer, and check for foreign objects in the drum.
How much does it cost to fix drum banging?
Professional repairs range from $60 to $300, depending on whether shock absorbers or drum bearings need replacing.
When should I call a technician for drum banging?
If DIY fixes don't resolve the issue or if you suspect worn drum bearings, it's time to call a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Guidance from available sources; statistical claims are shown only for samples of at least 10 discussions

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Worn out suspension rods (2 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replace worn out suspension rods

Limited-source guidance; percentages and success-rate claims are not shown
View Sources

Community Discussions

drum bangs on the side walls when it spins slowly

suspension rods are worn out

drum bangs on the side walls when it spins slowly

The suspension rods may be worn out.

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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