Where are the shipping bolts on my LG washing machine?

Many users mistakenly believe that after purchasing a washing machine, the only task is to install the unit and connect it to all communications. In fact, it is essential to remove all packaging material, especially the shipping bolts. Not everyone knows what this is and, even more so, where these shipping bolts are located. Let's figure out the purpose of the bolts and how to find and remove them correctly.

Where to look for screws?

As for LG washing machines, you need to look for their transport bolts in the same place as all other washing machines, there are no special features here. It is very easy to find them:

• If the loading type is front, the bolts will be located on the rear cover of the washing machine.
• If the loading type is vertical, then you will need to look for bolts either on the top panel or also at the back.

If you don't have the user manual at hand, you can simply carefully inspect the back panel. The shipping bolts are most often attached to the edges of the back wall. As mentioned above, all front-loading washing machines have the same location of shipping bolts, so if you've already had to remove them, doing it again won't be difficult.

Why do they screw them in?

Other types of household appliances are much easier to transport than washing machines. It is enough to pack everything in a box, generously put paper, foam and other softening materials, and nothing will happen to the equipment. But the design of the washing machine does not allow you to neglect the rules of transportation: the tank and drum are constantly suspended and only partially secured by some other elements. This prevents vibrations during washing but makes the device vulnerable during transportation.

If you transport a washing machine on bumpy roads, every bump and every stone will cause sharp jumps, as a result of which the drum will hit the body hard, damaging not only itself, but also the rest of the insides of the washing machine. This is where transport bolts come to the rescue. They secure the drum in an absolutely motionless position, which reduces the risk of breakage during transportation of the washing machine to zero.

The LG washing machine's transport bolts are absolutely standard. They are an elongated screw with a metal spiral rod, at the end of which there is a polymer pad separated from the rod by a rubber layer.

What if you forget to remove the screws?

Any manufacturer warns users against washing with the transport bolts not removed. When you start the cycle, the washing machine's engine gradually begins to pick up speed and tries to spin the drum, which is the principle of operation of the washing machine. However, due to the fact that the tank is fixed in a stationary position, such a strong mechanical impact will damage not only it, but also the shock-absorbing system, shaft, bearings, as well as all elements located in close proximity to the drum. The longer the washing machine operates in this mode, the more serious and critical the damage will be.

The prevalence of washing machines among the population leads to excessive self-confidence during installation. As a result, people do not even think to open the instructions and have no idea that they need to remove the transport bolts or simply forget about it and start washing. The machine will signal a problem in the following way:

• unusually high vibration level,
• sharp jumps, much sharper even than when spinning at high speeds,
• strange sounds that are jarring to the ear and are not typical for a working washing machine.

If the washing machine is already working and you suddenly realized that you have not removed the bolts, immediately press the "Stop" button and pull out the power cord. After that, invite a technician who will assess the scale of the damage.

If you are lucky, everything may not be so bad and the repair will only cost replacing the shock absorbers, but if the washing machine has worked for a long time, you will have to prepare for serious repairs, or even for disposal of the device and purchase of a new washing machine. Therefore, it is essential to get rid of the transport bolts before starting the LG washing machine or any other.