New owners of washing machines mistakenly believe that after paying for the purchase and delivering the goods home, the “adventure” ends and they can safely start washing. However, the device should be freed from packaging material, installed in a suitable place, connected to communications and transport bolts removed. It is the last point that users forget most often; as a result, the equipment receives mechanical damage and breaks down without ever going through its first wash cycle. Let's figure out where the transport bolts are located in the Electrolux washing machine, what they are needed for and how to remove them correctly.
What are they used for?
Household appliances can be easily transported in a truck or a regular washing machine in a cardboard box with a foam frame. When it comes to a washing machine, additional measures are required to prevent damage to the device during transportation. This is due to the design features of the “washing machine”: the drum and tank are constantly in a suspended state, they are fixed only by springs, a shaft and dampers. Thanks to this design, strong vibration is suppressed during spinning at high speeds, but certain difficulties arise with transportation.
If the Electrolux washing machine is transported over long distances over uneven roads, it will bounce on every bump. As a result, the drum will begin to hit the body, which will damage both itself and other components. In such a situation, even shock absorbers will not help.
Shipping bolts come to the rescue. They securely fix the drum and prevent it from hitting the internal walls, engine and other parts. Thus, transporting the washing machine will be absolutely safe and will not lead to damage.
The Electrolux washing machine is transported with standard bolts. These are elongated screws that consist of a metal spiral rod, a rubber spacer and a polymer tip. Only the sizes of the fasteners differ; their diameter depends on the model of the machine.
When transporting household appliances, a different number of shipping bolts may be used. This indicator depends on the type of washing device, its size and the volume of the laundry drum. As a rule, 2-4 clamps are installed during transportation.
Search for bolts
In Electrolux washing machines and devices from other manufacturers, the transport bolts are located in the same place. Their localization is very easy to install at home. They are:
on the rear panel of the device for front-loading machines;
on the top cover or on the back of top-loading machines.
Important! All information about the number and location of transportation bolts, as well as the procedure for dismantling and installation, is presented in the operating instructions.
Most often, the clamps are screwed into the sides of the case from the back. However, if the manufacturer’s instructions are at hand, there is no need to carefully inspect the equipment and try to find the necessary part. The factory instructions have a special section devoted to transportation bolts and the rules for removing them; visual examples are also given there and detailed explanations are made.
Removing fasteners
When the machine is delivered to its destination, do not immediately remove the bolts and start the wash cycle. The device is allowed to “rest” at room temperature for several hours. During this time, you can carefully read the instructions and think over a plan for further action.
All factory stickers should be removed from the case. Then the equipment is connected to communications. After the specified time has passed, you can begin to dismantle the drum clamps:
take a special wrench (must be included) or a 12mm socket with pliers;
loosen the bolts one by one, unscrewing them by 3-4 cm;
push each bolt deep until it hits an obstacle;
remove the gaskets and plastic tip;
close the resulting holes with special plugs that come with the kit.
There is no need to throw away the transport bolts after dismantling. It is better to put them aside along with the instructions, warranty card and other documents, because it is impossible to guess at what moment the need to transport the washing machine to a new location will arise. Transporting the device with the drum unsecured can lead to serious damage.
They still forgot to remove the screws
Washing with the fasteners not removed is prohibited. If you start any program, the engine will begin to gain speed and try to spin the drum, which is fixed in a stationary position. This will “hit” first the shock absorbers and springs, then the shaft and bearings will be deformed. The drum will hit the inner walls of the machine and elements located in the immediate vicinity. The longer the washing machine operates with the shipping bolts loose, the more damage it will suffer.
Despite the manufacturer’s warnings and the presence of a clause in the instructions regarding latches, many buyers forget to remove them. In this case, it is important to act as quickly as possible and stop the device before it completely fails. The technique signals a problem as follows:
unnatural vibration of the body;
jumping around the room;
grinding and other sharp sounds.
If the bolts are not removed and the washing is started, you need to urgently press the “Stop” button and unplug the power cord from the outlet. Then you need to invite a repairman to assess the scale of the problem and the consequences. At best, the user will get off with a fright or pay for replacement shock absorbers. If the outcome is unfavorable, the machine must be disposed of as it is unfit for use. Damage to the device due to untimely removal of the transportation bolts is not a warranty case, so the owner will have to pay for the services of the service center in full out of his own pocket.
How to transport a washing machine without bolts?
Of course, it is best to transport household appliances according to all the rules, using special bolts. However, at the last moment you may find that the details are missing. In such a situation, you should not panic and try to urgently find new components, because the Electrolux washing machine is equipped with fasteners that are suitable for a specific model. There is no way to replace such rods, so it is better to resort to other options for solving the problem.
Rules for safe transportation of the washing machine:
exclusively horizontal position with the powder receptacle facing down (if the equipment is standing vertically, the tank and shock absorbers will become loose, and when the door looks up, moisture may get on the electronics);
complete emptying of liquid through emergency drain;
a filled drum (you can use clothes, bed linen, foam rubber, paper);
wrapping or covering with blankets, foam.
Despite the effectiveness of the methods listed above, transporting an Electrolux washing machine without transport bolts is very risky. If the move is not urgent, you can try to purchase new bolts. When there is no time left, it is recommended to contact a special company that deals with the safe transportation of washing machines.
New owners of washing machines mistakenly believe that after paying for the purchase and delivering the goods home, the “adventure” ends and they can safely start washing. However, the device should be freed from packaging material, installed in a suitable place, connected to communications and transport bolts removed. It is the last point that users forget most often; as a result, the equipment receives mechanical damage and breaks down without ever going through its first wash cycle. Let's figure out where the transport bolts are located in the Electrolux washing machine, what they are needed for and how to remove them correctly.
Washing with the fasteners not removed is prohibited. If you start any program, the engine will begin to gain speed and try to spin the drum, which is fixed in a stationary position. This will “hit” first the shock absorbers and springs, then the shaft and bearings will be deformed. The drum will hit the inner walls of the machine and elements located in the immediate vicinity. The longer the washing machine operates with the shipping bolts loose, the more damage it will suffer.
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