Is your Maytag washer thumping and banging its way across the laundry room during the spin? An off-balance tub usually points to a worn counterbalance ring or a cracked spin basket. Both sit deep in the machine, but you can reach and replace them at home.
The spin basket holds your clothes, and the counterbalance ring weights the top of it so the load spins evenly. When the ring loosens or the basket cracks, the washer shakes hard. This guide walks you through the swap.
In this guide you’ll learn:
- What the spin basket and counterbalance ring do
- The tools to gather first
- Simple safety steps
- How to reach, remove, and replace the parts
What the Spin Basket and Counterbalance Ring Do
The spin basket is the perforated inner tub that spins your clothes. The counterbalance ring is the heavy ring fixed around the top of that basket. Together they keep the load centered so the tub spins smoothly.
Over time the ring can crack or work loose, and the basket itself can split. Once that balance is gone, the washer rocks and bangs, and you may see error stops mid-cycle. Replacing the worn part restores a steady spin.
What You’ll Need
- A replacement spin basket or counterbalance ring that matches your model
- A 1/4-inch nut driver
- A 7/16-inch socket
- A Phillips screwdriver
- A flat-head screwdriver
Note: Tools vary by model. Check your owner’s manual for the exact fasteners on your machine.
Safety First
- Unplug the washer from the wall outlet before you start.
- Turn off the water supply and disconnect the fill hoses.
- Get a helper for lifting, since the basket is heavy and awkward.
How to Replace the Spin Basket or Counterbalance Ring
Ready? Work through these steps in order.
- Unplug the washer and shut off the water supply.
- Remove the harness cover at the top rear with a 1/4-inch nut driver.
- Remove the two hinge screws holding the top panel to the frame.
- Lift the top panel toward the front, then push it back and lean it against the wall.
- Remove the tub ring by pulling the lock tabs away from the tub, and set it aside.
- Pry off the center cap on the wash plate with a flat-head screwdriver, then remove the wash plate.
- Lift out the spin basket. The counterbalance ring sits around its top edge.
- Replace the worn part, either the cracked basket or the loose counterbalance ring.
- Reassemble in reverse: basket, wash plate and cap, tub ring, top panel, hinge screws, and harness cover.
- Run a short spin cycle to confirm the tub turns smoothly and quietly.
Pro Tip: Spin an empty cycle before you reload. It is the fastest way to confirm the balance is back before you trust it with a full basket of laundry.
When to Look a Little Deeper
If the tub still shakes after the swap, the suspension may be the real culprit. Worn rods let the whole tub swing, and our guide to replacing the suspension rods in a top-load Maytag washer covers that fix. A failing belt can also cause rough spins, so it is worth checking a worn drive belt too.
While the machine is open, give the wash system a quick look. If clothes have not been coming clean, a tired wash plate may be the reason. Persistent vibration sometimes traces back to other parts as well, and you can work through a loud washer vibration problem or a washer that will not spin at all.
Wrapping Up
A new spin basket or counterbalance ring takes a banging washer back to a smooth, quiet spin. Here’s the short version:
- Unplug the washer and shut off the water.
- Open the top panel and remove the tub ring and wash plate.
- Lift out the basket and replace the worn part.
- Reassemble and run a test spin.
It is a bigger job, but you handled it and saved a service call. Great work.