I think you saw a LG washer being braced by foam on youtube. Most of todays FL'r does a balancing act to get the load to spin with minimum vibrations. Vibration noise varies from load to load, so please be aware that the spin cycle noise is the loudest doing the whole cycle.

As for the shipping bolts, they are only there for keeping the tub lock down during shipping so the springs and struts does not get damaged.

The only machines should be hold bolted to the floor is commercial washer otherwise these home laundry machines are soft mounted and requires the user to level the machine on all four corners and locking the legs for best performance.

Bracing a soft mounted washer is bad for the machine because new stresses are put on the machine since the give and take was taken away. Think how bending a piece of metal until stress cracks is formed and finally breaks. Same principle.

To get a load balanced in a Fl'r, the load must/should consist of the same material being washed or mixed well so the sensors will balance the load. It takes time and practice to get it right so keep trying until you get the hang of it!

Here is a link that might be useful: My washer on a spin cycle.

The answer to your question is yes. Shaking around as you've described is not good for anything in there. However, you said...........

"I can see the tub has some play in it, guess this is why the washer comes with shipping bolts, this further allows the shaking to occur"

You've got entirely the wrong idea about this. The tub has more than "play" in it. It is, in fact, completely floating on its suspension components in there. That's the way its supposed to be. And the suspension components are supposed to be able to handle the imbalances that occur.

You've also got the wrong idea about "level". Doesn't have to be perfect. Anything close is fine.

The important thing is equal or nearly-equal weighting of the feet so that the suspension components can bear on them as they were designed to do. I suspect this is your problem.

If your installation is on a suspended floor, you may have additional issues.

cleanteamofny:
"I think you saw a LG washer being braced by foam on youtube. Most of todays FL'r does a balancing act to get the load to spin with minimum vibrations."

Do you think that technique is safe or good for the washer?

"Vibration noise varies from load to load, so please be aware that the spin cycle noise is the loudest doing the whole cycle. "

Yes, I'm very aware of this, I'm just trying to make sure I'm doing everything I can to maximize the life of my machine.

Asolo:
"The important thing is equal or nearly-equal weighting of the feet so that the suspension components can bear on them as they were designed to do. I suspect this is your problem. "

What does this mean? Does it mean the machine doesn't wobble when I try to move the machine, bear weight on it while it's at rest?

Yes, the machine is on a 2nd floor.

Actually, the vibration isn't terrible on my unit, but would like for it to be quieter/smoother.

Mike

In the process of leveling, you probably already have the feet in positions where the machine doesn't wobble at all when you put pressure on the corners. That's usually how installers leave things. Often it works fine. However, as often as not, it doesn't. Fixing it is easy but takes a little time. I've heard it called a "dynamic balance".

First get the machine level and as evenly weighted as you are able. Then put a full load in it and keep that foot-adjusting wrench handy while you turn the machine on and let it run through a full cycle with a full load. When it comes to the part of the cycle where it spins up to full speed -- the place where it's going to wobble -- be ready with that wrench to tweak one of the front feet. Twist it both ways and observe the difference even a tiny adjustment makes. The machine will spin for a few minutes so you'll have time. You may find 1/4 turn or less is all you need. It's kind of a nuisance to have to wait for it, but I think you may be surprised at what you learn.

On a solid cement floor, you may well achieve dead-smooth. That's how mine is. (Duet 9400) On your suspended floor, you may still have trouble if the suspension components can't get a solid bearing because of the structure. No way to tell in advance. However, until you've got the machine's own structure bearing evenly you won't be able to evaluate anything else.

What kind of machine do you have? I'm thinking if it's capable of 1300rpm spin, it's likely an upscale unit with exemplary suspension components. I'm optimistic about the machine but suspicious of the flooring.

asolo, the washer's i have tried did the rocking and acting unlevel at the beginning of the spin, then when it got to a higher spin, it got more smoothe, then just the vibration, that could be seen as mine are stacked, i could see the dryer door shake slightly and clothes that were stopped in the dryer shook some. Do i still follow your instructions? Some loads do make it rock more, some not as bad, like when i do towels, then it will rock a lot more, so i do worry that the heavier rocking will make it get to where it does it with every load.

Wish I was there to examine. Please take following opinion in the "light" of my ignorance.

Of course it smooths out! The mass of the water spins out and is no longer a factor as the load becomes lighter.

Learning for the first time that in addition to suspended floor, you're also dealing with a stack. More considerations. Actually, the dryer-stack is probably helping you by way of its mass sitting on top of everything else.

The advice I gave you about "dynamic balancing" is bedrock regardless of any other consideration. Not hard to understand. If the suspension components within your machine cannot bear solidly against a resistive point (the feet of the washer) they cannot possibly do what they were designed to do. So, yes, one should start there. After that, there can be many factors...I suspect your suspended floor being the foremost consideration.

To answer your question, by way of "if it were me", I would do this anyway. Doesn't take that long, isn't that complicated and, unless you do it, you won't know what you're dealing with.

Finding out piecemeal for the first time what your installation involves. Is there some reason we are prohibited from knowing what machine you have and what your installation involves? For heaven's sake, we're trying to help you! Why do make us guess and suppose?

I have a LG WM2501, it actually tops out at 1200RPM rather than 1300.

Is having access to the front feet only enough? My washer dryer are in a tight space, just enough for the washer dryer, and required 2 or so inch spacing between them. I can't get to the rear legs while the machine is running.

Being that the machine is currently level, and adjusting the feet could potentially make it more unlevel, could that put pressure on the rear bearings causing premature failure?

That being said, does this mean the foam trick is not a good option?

Mike

Again, saying the "level" thing is no big deal other than nominal. From your post, you've clearly paid careful attention to that. You may safely remove it from your worries at this point. Your bearings are fine and will remain fine....unless you beat them to death....and probably even then.

You don't need to get to the rear legs. A plane is defined by three points. Adjust the fourth -- one of the front legs -- to compliment/coincide -- is all that's left.

The "foam trick" may well help. May even save the situation if nothing else works.

On the other hand, you've got a a good, expensive, well-designed machine in place there. A machine that may not have been properly installed. A machine that may not be able to perform as it was designed because it's components may not be able bear as they were designed to do. Inasmuch as determining that takes a matter of minutes and very little skill, I would certainly start there. If that doesn't work in your stacked situation on your suspended floor, then I guess you'll have to do something else.

Only saying unless this much is done first, neither you nor anyone else will know what you're actually dealing with. If you've done everything possible to allow the machine's suspension to do everything it's capable of doing -- which is a lot, by the way -- and it STILL is not satisfactory then that's where other considerations should begin. Stacking adds potential issues. Suspended flooring adds potential issues. Just suggesting one step at a time.

Would be interested in learning your outcome if you would be so kind as to return and report.

I'll give this a try, I'm just surprised I haven't seen anyone else suggest such a tactic. The machine is shaking quite a bit at full spin. It's not dancing across the floor or anything, but you can appreciate the forces that must be causing it to move as such. I'm hesitant to do something that seems like it could result in a disaster. :)

Also, being that I'm on a second floor I might just be SOL.

Mike

No disaster looms. It will either work or it won't. In any event you won't have more than a few minutes effort expended.

I am waiting for delivery of a new FL washer (Samsung) and plan to "stack" the set. A friend recommended I buy a thick rubber mat to go underneath to help absorb vibration and dampen sound (she is not a professional, just a friend). Do you think this is good advice?

Sorry asolo, had some brain fog, sometimes it's dark up there where my head is. I have an Electrolux Wave Touch 4.7 washer with a stacked Electrolux Steam dryer, on a cement slab, with vinyl tile. I have told hubby that i am tempted to cut a circle out for each foot of the washer so that it would be directly on concrete. Maybe the vinyl is too soft or is allowing the weight to make an indention there. I will have him get down on the floor and go through what you have suggested. Thanks

Not saying pads and pucks are no good...far from it. Obviously, they have helped in many situations.

All I'm saying is "first things first". Whether folks choose to use pads and pucks aside, the primary issue is equal or nearly/equal weight-bearing of the feet so the suspension components can do as much as they're capable of doing. On concrete/slab that's usually the ball-game....in my experience. With suspended floors and/or stacks there may be other issues. I'm just trying to suggest beginning with the designed-in basics. And it's easy.

Based on my experience with my LG and what I have heard from other FL owners; your machine should not be shaking that much. Mine is on the 1st floor on pedastals I built. The few times mine shook badly it was because it was not properly balanced on its four feet. Once I got it right the actual machine shakes very little. As the other post have stated, the tub movement is normal. If you really want to narrow the problem down, you will have to move your dryer to allow you access to the feet and try balancing it with a load as suggested.
Once you have achieved an acceptable balance....dont forget to lock the feet so they dont shift again.

Finally had a chance to try and level the washer. I practiced with it off and tried to adjust the height of one foot to make it dead level. Well, before I got to that pt, the washer become unbalanced because one of the other feet didn't have direct contact.

I went ahead and adjusted that foot to a pt where the washer seemed most stable. Mind you the washer still wasn't true level.

I set the washer to run and waited for the high spin cycle. To my surprise, the machine have fairly little vibration. I went ahead and tried to adjust the leg to 0 vibration, but no luck. It kept running about the same. I was concerned about putting the machine off balance so I went ahead and left it as is.

I started up the machine again and noticed at low spin, the machine has some visible side to side movement. Though at top speed doesn't look to be a problem, vibration isn't crazy, still some but seems fair.

Is this an acceptable balancing job. My main concern is lifespan of the machine. The vibration doesn't seem to be shaking the house, I'll keep it under observation.

Mike

I was concerned about all the posts I read a couple years ago that indicated fls tend to shake unless mounted on a concrete basement floor. We have a crawl space under the washroom and so before I got my Samsung, I had a 3/4 inch plywood slab nailed under the washer and dryer area over the existing floor. Then I had cement board (Hardyboard) screwed to the whole washroom floor and tile installed. I don't know what good it did, but I have no vibration problems at least. You might consider methods to brace your floor if it is contributing to the vibration problem.