Last updated on October 8th, 2024
As an appliance delivery specialist at Whybuy, I’ve moved countless front loader washers and have a wealth of experience regarding the best practices for transporting appliances. One common facet I’ve dealt with daily is the use of transit bolts – those crucial (or not so crucial) components can play a significant role in the safe transport of washing machines. Through this guide, I aim to demystify transit bolts, answering common questions and sharing insights from my daily experiences.
What Are Transit Bolts (Shipping Bolts) and Why Are They Important?
Transit bolts, or shipping bolts, play a crucial role in safeguarding the drum of front loader washing machines during transportation. Typically, the drum of a front loader is suspended by two springs from the top and supported by two to three shock absorbers at the base. The main function of these transit bolts is to prevent the springs from becoming unhooked. If a spring detaches, the drum will no longer be properly secured to the machine’s case, leading to noticeable misalignment when viewed through the door, with the seal appearing dislodged and the drum seeming incorrectly positioned. Operating the machine in such a state risks damaging not only the seal and the door but potentially other components as well. Although reattaching any dislodged springs is a relatively straightforward task for a professional and manageable for an experienced DIYer, taking measures to prevent these issues from occurring in the first place is more desirable.
Are Transit Bolts Universal?
Transit bolts are not universal. Their design, including length, width and threading, varies significantly between different washing machine models and manufacturers. If you intend on using transit bolts, use the correct ones for your machine or you’re better off not using transit bolts at all.
Do I Need Transit Bolts to Move My Front Loader?
My professional advice, based on daily handling of these appliances, is nuanced. For short distances, especially within the same premises or nearby, you probably don’t need to install the transit bolts. However, for longer moves, particularly interstate or international relocations, securing the machine with transit bolts is wise to prevent any potential damage from rough handling or emergency braking. However, if you’ve already disposed of the transit bolts, can’t find them, or simply never had them to begin with, my recommendation is to proceed with moving the washing machine without transit bolts. Considering the cost and effort to acquire new bolts against the relatively minor risk of the springs detaching, it’s more practical to go ahead with the move and address any minor issues as they come up. Reattaching a spring is generally a quick task for someone experienced, taking about 20 minutes, assuming there’s no significant damage, which is rare. Any damage that does occur is likely to be minor, such as a crushed plastic part or a disconnected wire.
How to Transport a Washing Machine Without Transit Bolts
Transporting a washing machine without transit bolts isn’t a cause for concern. The primary issue that transit bolts aim to avoid is preventing the springs from dislodging if the washer falls over. So let’s make sure the washer does not fall over. The key to maintaining the appliance upright begins with aligning the door either towards the vehicle’s front or back. Thanks to their design to withstand unbalanced loads, washing machines are more prone to tipping forwards or backwards rather than sideways. This orientation ensures stability even when facing significant forces from turning corners, with the main concerns being sudden deceleration or acceleration, with the main concerns now being sudden deceleration, acceleration, or really big bumps.
Heavy braking is the most significant force you need to concern yourself with. You don’t have a lot of control of when you need to brake heavily and the last thing you want to be thinking about is how hard you can brake before the washer moves. Position the washing machine securely against the front wall of the tray or truck body and/or fasten it firmly with straps or rope. Using straps or ropes is advised as this also safeguards against heavy acceleration and big bumps. If you have no ropes or straps you can get away without them using this method but if you hit a speedbump hard or take off fast, there’s a good chance the machine will move, but these two aspects are much more in the drivers control.
How to Install Transit Bolts
- Locate the Bolts: Before moving your front loader washing machine, find the transit bolts that came with your appliance. These are typically found in the original packaging or may have been provided separately by the manufacturer. They will be long bolts usually with pointy ends and big rubber or plastic washers.
- Prepare the Machine: Ensure the washing machine is unplugged and all water connections are disconnected. This prevents any accidental damage or injury during the installation process.
- Identify Bolt Locations: Check the back of your washing machine for the bolt holes. Usually there are 3-4 holes. They are usually marked and located near the outer edges of the machine. Often they will have little plastic covers over the holes that need to be pryed off before the bolt can be inserted.
- Insert the Bolts: Carefully insert each transit bolt into the designated holes. Depending on your model, there might be three to four bolts. Align them with the hole on the drum inside the cabinet.
- Tighten the Bolts: Use an appropriate tool, usually a wrench or socket set, to tighten the bolts. They should be firm enough to hold the drum securely but not overtightened as this could damage the machine. Gently try to rock the drum and make sure there is no movement of the drum or at the bolts.
How to Remove Transit Bolts
- Safety First: Ensure the washing machine is not connected to any power source or water supply before starting the removal process.
- Access the Bolts: Move to the back of the washing machine to access the transit bolts.
- Loosen the Bolts: Using a wrench or socket set, loosen each bolt by turning it counter-clockwise. Be ready to support the bolt as it comes free to prevent it from falling into the machine or getting lost.
- Remove the Bolts Completely: Once loosened, carefully remove each bolt from the machine. It’s a good practice to keep these bolts in a safe place should you need them again for future moves.
- Inspect and Secure: With the bolts removed, gently rock the washing machine to ensure the drum moves freely. This confirms the bolts have been successfully removed. Finally, replace any plastic caps back over the transit bolt holes.
What If I Forget to Remove the Transit Bolts?
If transit bolts remain installed after setting up the washing machine, it effectively lacks suspension. This situation can result in the machine shaking intensely or even toppling over. Such movements may cause considerable harm to walls, floors, and likely result in flooding, ultimately risking the destruction of the appliance and your laundry. It’s crucial to removr the transit bolts before using your washing machine.
Can I Damage the Concrete Weights by Transporting Without Transit Bolts?
From my experience, such damage is extremely unlikely. Any force capable of damaging the concrete weights would likely cause significant damage to the washing machine regardless of the bolts’ presence.
In Summary
While my experience at Whybuy has shown that transit bolts are seldom necessary for the kind of movements we undertake daily, understanding their purpose and correct usage is essential for anyone looking to move their washing machine. Should you lose your transit bolts or find yourself in a situation where using them isn’t feasible, remember that careful handling and proper orientation during transport can mitigate most risks. However, for long-distance relocations, I still recommend using them to ensure your appliance arrives in the best condition possible.