I need to know how to get to the drum, to see why it is off balance.

Jennifer, one of the balancing springs may have broken, best to call a good repairman, the machine will have to come apart.
Check the attached links,instruction and guides, Good luck
"I hope this helped you out, if so let me know by pressing the helpful button. Check out some of my other posts if you need more tips and info."
Washing Machine Repair Replacing the Tub Spring Whirlpool Part W10250667
How to Troubleshoot Kenmore Washer When the Drum Is Off Balance eHow
The Tell Tale Banging Noise of Broken Drum Support Spider in Samsung Front...

Rex, probable broken balancing springs. Check the attached links,
"I hope this helped you out, if so let me know by pressing the helpful button. Check out some of my other posts if you need more tips and info."

GE Washer Top Loader Out of Balance Shaking Repair Tutorial

http://forum.appliancepartspros.com/washer-repair/6812-spin-cycle-badly-out-balance.html

How to Fix Shaking Washing Machine

How To Fix And Stabilize An Unbalanced Washing Machine

wheel bearings or bad belt.. woese case motor

If the drum spin noise is loud your bearings need replacing.
If the bowl(drum)goes out of balance with nothing in it your bowl needs to be replaced.

There are no balance adjustments, the drum is a floating design on springs and ,lower hydraulic arms. The drum is also weighted for passive counterbalance.

Hi,
When my washer did that, I found that the shocks that hold the tub were bad...

Check out this tip I wrote about that...

http://www.fixya.com/support/r3663122-washer_problems_washer_noise_when

heatman101

Hi

It is normal for the drum to sway excessively and hit the balance switch if the load is not evenly distributed around the drum or if you have excess cloths.

Once the balance switch is trigerred, you can reset by openning and closing the door. It is a safety mechanism which stops the spin cycle if the drum sways excessively.

If this tends to happen often, then you need to make sure the machine is properly balanced and not leaning too much to the back.

Also the drum suspension rods do tend to wear out over time and loose their firmness, causing the drum to sway excessively. You can check this by opening the lid. Pushing down and from side to side onto the agitator, and seeing if their is a firm bound on the drum. Also making sure the drum returns to centre position. If the suspension springs feel loose and wayward, then they will need replacement.

Regards
Ash

The drum should not need balancing, but the washer should be level in all directions. If the washer is level, but vibrates excessively during spin cycle, you may need to replace the springs. There is a set of suspension springs which act as shock absorbers. When these wear out the washer will bounce across the floor unless the clothes are 100% balanced in the washer.

Run the machine on a cycle with no load in it (no soap powder either)

If it makes the same noise when there are no clothes in it then the suspension legs have given way or the counterweight has come loose.
You will need someone who knows what they are doing to repair it

how do I tell if the drum is off balance or the bearings are out in the inner tub of this front load washer?