whirlpool wtw4800bq0 unbalanced after washing pillow

[gma karen]

New to this site, thanks in advance for any knowledge shared.  I washed a pillow (really bad idea) which became extremely heavy and it took a long time for the washer to try to balance but it eventually completed the cycle (I think it finally gave up trying).  Now even nice, light, balanced loads cause the washer to bang and wobble and move.  I assumed a suspension rod/spring must have broke but they are all still intact.  The whole tub seems to have too much play and I can move it freely all about the cabinet. I am not sure if this is normal.  I am wondering if the suspension springs could have stretched too much so that the drum is unbalanced even though they are not actually broken???? Is there something else that I should check?  Thank you

[Hiroshi]

The tub on these is always pretty loose relative to others, I would run a calibration cycle to see if it changes the condition... have you found the tech sheet for the machine?

The tech sheet is INSIDE the cabinet, at approximately where your left hip is when standing directly in front of the machine... you will have to pull the tub out of the way and fish your arm around until you feel the plastic bag it is in... 

Light loads are MORE likely to be off-balance, run a normal load of t-shirts and socks as a good test- the machine should be able to distribute those. If it cannot spin smoothly with a normal load or empty, you may have wrecked one of the suspension rods...

The drive pulley on the very bottom of the unit could potentially take damage if an ultra-heavy load slammed on it, so tipping the machine back, removing the flimsy plastic cage over the belt and pulleys, then taking a good look at it and spinning it a few times around by hand will give you an impression of whether the pulley and belt are straight and tight...

P.S. put the tech sheet back when you are done with it!! Losing the tech sheet is a huge No-No!

Edited February 7, 2017 by Hiroshi

[gma karen]

Thank you so much for your reply. I will find the tech sheet and attempt the calibration cycle as you suggest (I am assuming directions for this will be in the tech sheet). Keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks again.

[Hiroshi]

Yes, it requires a special twist of the knob- but the instructions in the tech info are pretty good- it may take a few tries. The whole control panel will light up like a Christmas tree when you have entered into test mode.

[jtanko]

On 2/7/2017 at 11:23 AM, gma karen said:

New to this site, thanks in advance for any knowledge shared.  I washed a pillow (really bad idea) which became extremely heavy and it took a long time for the washer to try to balance but it eventually completed the cycle (I think it finally gave up trying).  Now even nice, light, balanced loads cause the washer to bang and wobble and move.  I assumed a suspension rod/spring must have broke but they are all still intact.  The whole tub seems to have too much play and I can move it freely all about the cabinet. I am not sure if this is normal.  I am wondering if the suspension springs could have stretched too much so that the drum is unbalanced even though they are not actually broken???? Is there something else that I should check?  Thank you

Did the calibration test fix the issue?