How to replace the shock absorber on a Whirlpool washer

On a Whirlpool washer, the shock absorber is responsible for stabilizing the washer’s tub during the spin cycle, preventing excessive shaking and vibrations. Over time, these shock absorbers can wear out or become damaged, resulting in a shaking tub. Fortunately, this is a relatively simple repair that can be completed with a few basic tools. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to remove the old shock absorber and install a new one, restoring your washer. The process should take only a few minutes, making it a quick and straightforward task. So let’s get started and learn how to replace the shock absorber on your Whirlpool washer.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH8NkplXv4I

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

What you’ll need

• Pliers
• Torx 20 screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Channel lock pliers

Safety precautions

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs to any appliance parts that hold water. Have towels ready for any residual water in the system when removing parts. 
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
• Don’t test wiring with a multimeter for live voltage if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short circuiting when testing. 
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
• Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time for any heating parts to cool down before working on it. 

Replacement steps

Removal

1. Use pliers to unhook the clamp that secures the hose snapped into the back panel.
2. Snap the hose out of its holders and pull it off.
3. Remove all the screws holding the back panel in place using a torque driver.
4. Lift up one side of the covers that lock the back panel to the washer and pull them out.
5. Repeat this step for all the covers until they are removed.
6. Pull the back panel off to gain access to the inside of the washer.
7. Take channel locks and grab the old shock absorber.
8. Turn the shock absorber 90 degrees to release it from the tub.
9. Repeat this step for the bottom of the shock absorber and remove it from the machine.

Installation

1. Take the new shock absorber and line it up into the frame.
2. Twist the shock absorber to lock it in place. If needed, use a wrench to assist with twisting.
3. To install the top half of the shock absorber, turn it so that the tabs line up.
4. Pull the shock absorber up, put it in place, and rotate it 90 degrees.
5. Repeat these steps for the remaining shocks in the washing machine.
6. To put the back panel back on, heat it up under this panel and push it in.
7. Line up the holes on the back panel with the corresponding holes on the washer.
8. Insert the first screw into the hole to hold the back panel in place.
9. Proceed to insert and tighten all the remaining screws.
10. Install the shipping bolt covers by sliding them into place, ensuring the rounded edge is on the outside.
11. Snap the shipping bolt covers into place for all four covers.
12. Push the drain hose back into place.
13. Move the clamp up to secure the drain hose.
14. Arrange any excess hose by running it through the provided clips and directing it toward the drain.
15. Plug the washer back in and turn the water supply back on.
16. Test the washer to check for any problems.

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the shock absorber on your Whirlpool washer. 

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

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