A total of four shipping bolts need to be installed: two longer ones on the bottom and two shorter ones on the top. Each shipping bolt consists of a metal screw inside a plastic cylinder which fits between the washer suspension and the back of the washer cabinet. The metal screw pulls the washer suspension against the plastic cylinder which, in turn, is pulled against the rear cabinet, thereby securing the suspension against the back of the cabinet. The Whirlpool part number is 285955. These bolts can be ordered from various suppliers for $20 - $30. To install these bolts, you will need a 13 mm wrench and a flashlight so you can see where the bolts screw into on the washer suspension.
The procedure is as follows:
1. On the back of the washer, remove the 4 plastic covers over the oblong shipping bolt holes. Carefully pack these covers with the water and drain hoses as they will be needed when the washer is re-installed in its new location.
2. Using the flashlight as a visual aid, look inside the oblong holes and identify the area on the washer suspension into which the shipping bolts screw. It is a white plastic part that is not directly behind the the shipping bolt holes, but is slightly above that level.
3.Look at the shipping bolts. The bolts described above (Part number 285955) have a a plastic arm at one end . This arm must be sawed-off for installation on older machines. You will have to determine whether or not the arm needs to be removed.
4. Starting with the bottom two holes, carefully slide a shipping bolt through the hole toward the front of the machine. Angle the bolt upward toward the screw mating hole, and carefully guide the bolt into the hole. Use the 13 mm wrench to engage the bolt into the mating hole.
5. Make sure that the plastic end of the bolt is closely seated against the back of the washer cabinet. Using the 13 mm wrench, screw in the lower two bolts, but do not tighten at this time.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the upper two shipping bolts.
7. After the plastic part of all 4 bolts has been firmly seated against the back of the washer cabinet, carefully tighten all 4 bolts.
8. Go to the front of the washer and push on the drum. The drum will rotate but it should not rock. If that is the case, then you are done.
Usally in the back though the case there should be a hole for it
Saved me a ton of time during our move. Thanks JTS1!
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