Transport bolts on a washing machine - how to remove?

Transport bolts are always present in a new washing machine. And if they are not removed before you start using the machine, they can interfere with its normal operation and even ruin your household appliances. In this article we will tell you why these bolts are used, how to find them and what is needed to remove them.

Shipping bolts have a very important function. They are the ones that secure the washing machine tank. This extremely necessary precaution is needed in order to protect the machine during transportation and lifting to the floor. Thanks to these fixing elements, the internal parts do not come into contact with each other and with the walls when the machine body rolls or tilts during transportation. This helps to keep not only the washing machine tank intact, but also its other parts. Such as:

• Bearings,
• shock absorbers,
• and other spare parts.

Shock absorbers with bearings provide movable fastening of the tank and reduce its vibration during washing, rinsing and spinning.

How to remove shipping bolts?

Bolts are simply necessary for transporting the washing machine, but when used for its intended purpose, they will only get in the way. Therefore, before starting the first wash of clothes, they must be unscrewed without fail. This is no less important than the correct installation of this type of household appliance and its careful operation.

We recommend that you pay attention in advance to the fact that if your machine breaks down because you forgot to remove the bolts, then this breakdown will be solely on your conscience. And not a single service center will repair your new but already broken car under warranty.That is, in order for it to be repaired, you will have to pay.

Finding the shipping bolts in your washing machine is very easy. They are located on the back wall of the case. Usually there are three to four of them there. There are brands of machines that use metal pins instead. This is found in household appliances produced under the Millet and Gorenie brand. It is rare, but it still happens that some special models have a specific bolt arrangement. For example, on one machine they were found under the upper part of the body.

You can almost always find information about bolt locations in the included instructions.

In order to unscrew the bolts you will need a regular wrench of the required size (usually from 10 to 14 mm). If you don't have a key, you can use pliers. The shipping pins are removed using pliers. In order to get them out, you need to grab them with pliers and turn them to the side a quarter turn. They will then be freely removed from the housing.

The holes left by the bolts should be plugged using plastic plugs. These plugs are included with the kit. The point of having plugs is more decorative than practical. Although it is possible that their presence may slightly reduce the noise produced by the machine during washing.

Transporting a washing machine

It is better not to throw away the transport bolts, but to save them. They may come in handy when transporting your car. As mentioned above, they will help maintain the functionality of its parts during transportation.

In order to put the bolts on, you will need to pry the plugs with a thin flat object (for example, a knife or slotted screwdriver), then remove them all. After this, you can insert the bolts into the holes and tighten them.

You can also watch a video that shows the removal of the shipping bolts and the complete installation of the washing machine:

11 reader comments

1. 01/10/2015 at 17:07

   kymbat:

   Good afternoon! Tell me, please, can I buy shipping bolts for the washing machine from you?

   Answer
   • 01/10/2015 at 20:35

     maxim050:

     Good afternoon Unfortunately, this site is informational and does not engage in commercial activities. I think you can purchase what you need at the service center.

     Answer
2. 06/24/2015 at 01:27

   Tanya:

   When installing the machine, we forgot to unscrew the shipping bolts. We washed it once after the machine started vibrating. Everything was unscrewed. But I noticed that it was leaking under the machine, a little 8-10 drops per wash. Please tell me this is because the bolts were not unscrewed or it is defective (you just bought it today). And if you return it under warranty, will it be immediately noticeable from the inside that the bolts were washed?

   Answer
   • 12/24/2018 at 10:17 pm

     Anonymous:

     I wonder how it went?

     Answer
3. 09/17/2015 at 23:12

   Lady:

   thank you))) it helped us a lot)))

   Answer
4. 25.11.2015 at 21:54

   Ivan:

   Hello. After transportation, I unscrewed the transportation bolts, and water ran out of the two lower holes where the bolts were screwed in during washing, please tell me what can be done.

   Answer
   • 03/14/2018 at 14:35

     Anonymous:

     I have the same.

     Answer
5. 12/30/2017 at 16:20

   Anonymous:

   Thank you!

   Answer
6. 04/04/2018 at 23:18

   Anonymous:

   Hello! I'm interested in the following question: can there be transport bolts on a semi-automatic drum type machine? During the spin cycle it jumps too much! Thank you!

   Answer
7. 12/21/2019 at 07:09

   Anon:

   Good afternoon? Is it possible not to insert plugs? We removed the bolts, but there are no plugs.

   Answer
8. 03/28/2021 at 10:40

   Nick:

   Part of the shipping bolt fell into the car, what should I do?

   Answer