I've tried all three mentioned in this blog to resolve a Maytag top loading vibration issue and the only one that keeps my machine from walking is the vibeaway. Unfortunately, it was the last one I purchased. As for the other 2, the machine walked off of the shakeaway pads and the good vibration ones stayed under the legs but moved with the machine vibration. They have adhesive pads available at an extra cost, but I didn't order them. It's a cheap fix for an annoying problem. I would go to the machine when it's done washing and find it turned clockwise against the dryer.

Autoparts catalogs sell self-balancing tire gadgets. Perhaps they would work on washing machines.

Why not just purchase a conventional top load washer of traditional design that DOESN'T walk off, and send a message to the manufacturers and the government what they can do with their poorly-designed Energy Star mandated washing machines?

Thanks Jay, for your advice. We have both a front loader and a top loader which vibrate. And yes, I have found my top loading washer rotated within the drain pan underneath my washer. The front loader doesn't rotate only because its too heavy, but it vibrates a lot and makes a lot of noise. I will try the VibeAway.

We have a walkabout Kenmore front loader washing machine, model 417 48102701, that would also struggle with unbalanced loads, despite being set up properly on concrete floor and operated correctly (right detergent, no overload, etc.).

At first we thought the machine was not leveled properly when delivered, but that was not the case. It got so bad a few days ago that the machine stopped, the door popped open in mid operation and one of the door prongs broke off, wet, soaking laundry inside!!This machine is only about ONE year old!!

Upon doing some research over the weekend I found that this has apparently been an ongoing problem with this type of machine for at least the last 7 -8 years or so and seems to involve a very, very poorly designed spider bracket and bearing assembly (see here: http://www.appliancejournal.com/appliance-repair-help/washer-repair/why-kenmore-front-load-washers-fail-271/ ) There should be a class action lawsuit going on in this case. Sears better replaces this unit with a more reliable model. Now I am glad that it has not been paid off yet and I do not intend to until I get a satisfactory replacement.

I grew up with front loaders in Germany - this is total substandard performance. The machines my mom had in later years never had any of those problems.

All front loaders will vibrate. But these vibrations can also be dampened by very simple DIY fixes. Here's one example on YouTube (copy and paste the url into your browser):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y91onCb7nSc

OK, have started a simple blog page to illustrate the simple DIY fix talked about above. Don't be fooled by its simplicity, it is very effective:

http://washervibrationfix.blogspot.com/

Using swimming noodles as recommended in the post above isn't going to do a thing. The comparative utube are not a a serious proof since the person is not inserting the noodles on the same load. Also peopel on gardenweb's forums as well as automatic washing machine forums (the two big forums on washing machines tired it and found zero effect).

here is what you want if you are concerned with vibration:

1) buy your machine from a vendor which will allow you to return for a full refund it after a few uses. A number of vendors including some large discount box chain stores will do this.

2) if you not on concrete slab, in order to even have a prayer that you wont get ba vibration, make sure you are on joists where they go into the outer wall beams. Your floor surfacing, ceramic tile, vinyl or wood is meaningless, as are rubber dampaning schemes, you need to be right up against or over a load bearing wall.

3) avoid the machines known to vibrate (as per CR)

The vibration is a serious problem. it causes two type so damage.
a) it will age your washing machine faster, make breakdowns more likely.
b) it will slowly crack your walls and will slowly loosen structural elements (which in turn will make vibration and more damaging!

I work with a residential real estate management company and have seen a HUGE amount of costly problems from frontloaders that are not on concrete slabs

I've tried both the VibeAway and Good Vibrations Pads but both were rather ugly and didn't really seem to make a big difference once installed. The product I finally found that worked the best was Silent Feet from a company called The Vibration Solution. Their pads were small enough that they hid under my LG washer. Despite their small size they are are very good at absorbing the vibration from the washing machine. They are built pretty well with a hard cupped top so I'm not worried about the washer falling off of them. If anyone is like me and has their washer on a joist floor, you need pads like these. The sales man at Home Depot showed me the fine print in the LG manual that says you MUST install pads under your front loading washer if you install it on anything other than a concrete floor. FYI, hope this helps.

On monday we got a brand new Samusung washer and dryer
WF-J1254(V/S/C/R)
I installed and sure enough it was vibrating and dancing all over our landry room floor.today i discussed with my wife to send it back to the manufacturer and ask for a refund. But I am one of those individuals who never gives up, I picked up the manual and read all the instructions: I levelled the machine as they ask the I read 'remove all the shipping bolts' I had never removed them! there are five shippin bolt at the back ofthe machine, I guess to keep the drum in place during shipping. I removed them riconnected the machine and reinstalled the stacking dryer on top. I staterd a new wash and now i am in the forth heavy wash. The machine work like a charm! no vibration, no noise no dancing all over the floor. I am lucky perhaps but perhaps some of us are doing something wrong when we instal!
We should heck the manuals before installing...but my wife say i must do things twice before i do it right!

We have had a Kenmore HE2Plus front loader for about 3 months. It sits on a solid joist floor, supported by a concrete wall under the rear of the washer. Our neighbor has reported earthquake tremors and shuttle launches! Just kidding, but the vibrations were intolereable, even at the LOW spin setting. My first thought was to tie knots to shorten the power cord so it could not escape the laundry room; then maybe hang it on four big springs from the ceiling. I had tried leveling, rubber pads, removed shipping bolts. What finally helped a lot was putting an 8" x 8" x 2" patio stone under each foot. It no longer causes the whole house to vibrate and is somewhat quieter, but we still run it at LOW speed. I do not expect this piece of junk to last more than a few years as it literally is shaking itself to destruction! I would agree with the poster that recommends buying only from a store that will take it back if it vibrates... either that or go back to top-loaders. The savings in water is not worth the trouble.

Reply: (Posted by: Icoletta | Nov 27, 2009 8:43:37 PM)

Thank you Icoletta!!!!!
I owe you one! So I purchased the WF-J1254 washer and accompanying dryer at Lowes. The pair was on the scratched and dent isle (which I shop frequently). I paid $500 for the pair. Literally the pair sat for two years. I meant to use them in an in-laws apartment but never made it happen. Now I need them. When I used them the washer bucked like a bull. I read your post, removed the screws and the washer is perfect! Sounds like a jet engine when it spins. A little wiggle but I never leveled it. Thank you! And thank you to whoever did not read the owners manual and returned them to Lowes, great deal!!!