Is your top-load Maytag washer banging, shaking, or thumping during the spin cycle? Worn suspension rods are a common cause. These four rods hold the tub and keep it steady, so when they wear out the tub knocks against the cabinet.
Replacing the Maytag washer suspension rods is a job you can do at home with a few basic tools. This guide walks you through it from start to finish.
In this guide you’ll learn:
- The signs your suspension rods are worn
- The tools you need first
- Simple safety steps
- How to remove the old rods and install new ones
What Do the Suspension Rods Do?
The suspension rods are four spring-loaded rods that hang the wash tub inside the cabinet. They absorb the motion of the tub so the washer runs smoothly and quietly.
Over time the springs weaken and the dampening wears out. When that happens, the tub swings too far and bangs into the sides of the washer, especially during the spin. New rods bring back a steady, quiet cycle.
What You’ll Need
- A set of replacement suspension rods. Confirm they fit your model first.
- A 1/4-inch nut driver
- A long flat-head screwdriver
- Two 1-foot sections of 4×4 wood
Note: Tools can 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 at the valves behind the washer.
- Get a helper if you need to move or tilt the machine, since it is heavy.
How to Replace the Suspension Rods
Ready? Work through these steps in order.
- Unplug the washer and shut off the water supply.
- Support the tub. Tilt the washer back slightly and slide the 4×4 wood blocks under the tub for support, then lower the washer back down.
- Open the top panel. At the back, remove the harness cover and the 1/4-inch screws at the top panel hinges.
- Tilt the top back. Pull the top panel toward the front, lift it, and push it back to expose the suspension rods.
- Remove the old rods. Lift the first rod, remove the bearing and cup, then let the rod drop and pull it away from the tub. If it sticks, press down on the spring sleeve with a flat-blade screwdriver to release it. Repeat for each rod.
- Install the new rods. Lower each new rod beside the tub, set it into the frame mounting hole, then hold it up and install the suspension bearing and cup. Do one rod at a time.
- Reassemble. Lower the top panel, replace the hinge screws and harness cover, and remove the wood blocks.
- Run a test cycle to confirm the tub stays steady and quiet.
Pro Tip: Replace all four rods at once, even if only one looks worn. Mixing old and new rods leaves the tub unbalanced and the noise often returns.
When to Look a Little Deeper
If the washer is still noisy after new rods, check related parts. A worn belt can cause trouble too, and our guide on a worn washer drive belt can help. While the cabinet is open, it is a good time to inspect the lid, so here is how to handle a washer lid assembly replacement, and if water levels seem off, here is how to prevent your washing machine from overfilling.
Vibration can come from more than the rods. If the shaking continues, you can fix a loud washer vibration problem, and for other top-load issues, these easy fixes for a top-load washer that will not drain are worth a look.
Wrapping Up
New suspension rods can take a loud, walking washer back to smooth and quiet. Here’s the short version:
- Unplug the washer, shut off the water, and support the tub with wood blocks.
- Open the top panel from the back.
- Remove all four old rods and install the new ones with their bearings and cups.
- Reassemble and run a test cycle.
It is a bigger job, but you handled it and saved a service call. Great work.