What Happens if You Leave Transit Bolts in a Washing Machine?
I can think of one reason why you’re here, you left the transit bolts in your machine and then used it. Maybe the machine went for a walk when it hit its spin cycle, or maybe not too much happened. Either way, you want to know what damage you have caused, if any.
What Happens if You Leave Transit Bolts in a Washing Machine?
The transit bolts normally lock the springs in a washing machine in place, these springs are designed to stop the washing machine from bouncing around when in use. If you leave these in and then your machine gets to a spin cycle it is likely to start bouncing around the room. What destruction it causes to the machine during this walkabout will generally come down to luck.
On some machines, the transit bolts will hold the whole drum in place. If your machine is like this and you left the transit bolts in and then ran it, well let’s just say you would know about it. You wouldn’t be here asking what happens because you would be able to see for yourself. The machine will likely have smashed itself to pieces by now.
Is your machine still working?
If so then it is likely little damage if any has been done. The transit bolts stop the springs and dampeners from moving while the machine is in transit. This is because the machine being in a moving van can cause excessive motion in the springs which could damage the machine.
If these are locked in place while being used then they won’t be able to soak up any machine vibrations. This can cause excessive movement from the machine and may lead to it making some horrible noises.
But if you notice early enough and get them out of the machine you can get away without too much lasting damage, it comes down to the design of your machine in the end.
Have they been in a while?
If you have somehow left them in for a while and not noticed the vibrations then more lasting damage could have been caused. The machine will have been shaking like mad which could have damaged countless internal parts. The only real way to know is to wait and see what happens to your washing machine.
Not covered under warranty
this obviously falls outside of any warranty. The manufacturer’s instructions will definitely tell you to remove the transit bolts before using the machine so you won’t be covered here, at all.
