Last Updated on September 22, 2026 by Umar Farooq
Washing machine shipping bolts are steel rods that pass through the rear panel and clamp the outer tub rigidly to the cabinet so it cannot swing in transit. They come out before the first cycle and go back in before the machine is moved again. Whirlpool states both consequences: “operating the washer with the shipping bolts still installed can void your warranty and lead to costly repairs”, and moving it without them risks “internal suspension and structural damage”. Only front-loaders have them.
What the bolts hold, and what happens if they stay in
Inside a front-loader the outer tub does not touch the cabinet. It hangs on springs and sits on dampers, so an unbalanced spin can throw it several centimetres and the suspension absorbs that. The bolts defeat the suspension deliberately: on a lorry, a free tub would batter the cabinet from inside. Run the machine in that state and every spin shock goes into the frame, the bearings and the tub mounts instead.
Samsung puts the symptom in one sentence: “If you just got your front load washer, but didn’t remove the shipping bolts, then it will shake a lot” (Samsung). On a new machine, check the bolts before levelling, load size or the feet.
How to remove washing machine shipping bolts
Do this before plugging the machine in. Whirlpool is explicit: “Do not plug the washer in until installation has been completed” (Whirlpool).
- Find them on the rear panel. Samsung notes the count varies: “Some front load washing machines have four shipping bolts. Some washers have three. FlexWash models have seven.”
- Loosen each one — Whirlpool specifies a 5/8″ (16 mm) wrench.
- Slide the bolt and its plastic spacer to the centre of the hole, then pull both out.
- Press the supplied plastic caps into the empty holes until they click.
Then check from the front, which is the better test. Samsung: “just open the door and push against the drum… It should feel like it’s connected to springs and have a little bit of give to it. If the drum feels like it’s connected to a rock… the shipping bolts are not removed.” Their comparison is the useful part — the drum should give noticeably more than your dryer’s.
Keep them, or discard them? The manufacturers disagree
Samsung says keep: “Keep the shipping bolts and spacers for future use… Store them in a safe place so you don’t lose them.” Whirlpool’s removal page says the opposite in four words — “Discard bolts and spacers.” Its own moving page then says “New shipping bolts must be reinstalled to avoid internal suspension and structural damage”, and Whirlpool sells the replacement kit.
Keep them. One instruction costs you a labelled freezer bag; the other costs you a parts order on the day the van arrives.
Putting them back before you move it
This is the half most guides skip. The suspension that protects the tub in use is what fails to protect it on a lorry, because a hanging tub swings. Whirlpool: “Shipping bolts stabilize the washer support and suspension system to prevent damage during the moving and shipping”, and “The washer should be moved in an upright position, as transporting it on its side or other configuration may cause damage” (Whirlpool). Drain it, disconnect the hoses, fit the bolts, keep it upright — sequence in how to move a washing machine.
FAQ
What happens if you don’t remove the shipping bolts?
The tub stays clamped to the cabinet, so every spin shock goes into the frame, bearings and mounts. Whirlpool says it “can void your warranty and lead to costly repairs”.
Do top-load washers have shipping bolts?
No. Samsung states it directly: “Top load washing machines do not have shipping bolts.” Some ship with foam blocks instead.
How many shipping bolts does a washing machine have?
Three or four on most front-loaders; Samsung notes its FlexWash models use seven. Count the capped holes on the back panel.
What size wrench do you need?
Whirlpool specifies a 5/8″ (16 mm) wrench and suggests pliers for grip. Many machines include a stamped spanner in the accessory bag.
Can you move a washing machine without the shipping bolts?
You can, but you are moving an unsecured tub. A short upright move in a car is a different risk from a house move on a lorry — fit them for the lorry.
Where do you get replacement shipping bolts?
From the manufacturer’s parts catalogue, by model number. They are not generic — length and thread differ between platforms.
Keep them
Two ten-minute jobs at opposite ends of the machine’s life: out before the first wash, in before the move. Everything that goes wrong here is a timing error, not a difficulty.
If a new machine shakes, rule the bolts out first, then work through washing machine shakes during spin. If one moved without them now rumbles, check the suspension — that is what took the journey.
