How to Stabilize Excessive Bouncing in a Whirlpool Top Load Washing Machine

Open the lid, press down firmly on the agitator or wash plate, and release it.

If the basket bounces around in multiple directions instead of snapping back up quickly, the suspension rods are worn.

Unplug the washing machine from the wall outlet.

Move the washer to a workspace where the top can pivot up and rest against a wall.

Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the three screws along the back edge of the top panel.

Remove the metal plate held by the middle rear screw on the left side, and keep the screws together for reassembly.

Pull the washer top toward the front, lift it slightly, and push it toward the back to release it.

Pivot the top up and toward the back of the washer.

Rest the raised top against a wall, using the two rear metal fingers that slot into the top as supports.

Apply masking tape between the lid and the top to prevent the lid from falling and slamming into the console area.

Locate the four suspension rods, one in each corner, and inspect the plastic cups at the top of each rod.

Put on rubber gloves to improve grip on the suspension rod.

Reach into the cabinet, grip a suspension rod, and pull it straight up to unload it.

Pull the plastic retainer cup off the rod’s hook, and slowly let the rod drop down into the cabinet.

Lower the top, tilt the washer backward, and work the rod down and through the bottom hole in its corner to remove it.

Check the rod’s upper collar area for looseness, because this damper collar is the part that commonly wears out and creates bouncing.

Use a thick, large safety pin, or use a straight pin if it’s sturdier than the safety pins you have.

If using a safety pin, straighten it, and cut off the latch end so you have a straight piece of stiff wire.

Use a putty knife or a very thin flathead screwdriver to separate the collar into two pieces.

Work the putty knife around the collar until it pops apart into an upper piece and a lower piece.

Set aside the lower piece and keep the upper collar piece accessible for the pin installation.

Point the pin’s sharp end toward the top of the upper collar piece.

Pull the collar down onto the pin instead of pushing the pin into the collar.

Work the pin down through the plastic as close to the metal rod as possible until the tip pierces through.

Use needle-nose pliers to bend the exposed tip back against the top of the collar.

If the pin is too close to grab, use a putty knife to bend it enough to catch with the pliers.

Bend the bottom of the pin down and under the collar in a U-shape so it can’t fall off.

Tilt the washer backward and insert the rod up through the bottom hole in the tub corner.

Hold the rod in place using the top of the collar while tilting the washer back onto the floor.

Raise the top again, pull the rod up into the metal housing, and reinstall the plastic retainer cup on the rod hook.

Repeat the removal, collar-splitting, pin install, and reinstallation process for the remaining three suspension rods.

Lower the top, remove the masking tape, and reinstall the three rear screws and the metal plate.

Move the washer back into place, plug it in, and put the drain hose back into the standpipe.

Run a spin test and watch for brief initial banging that quickly levels out into a stable spin.

Replace the suspension rods if the plastic cups are damaged, if the hack doesn’t control bouncing, or if the springs are physically worn out.