Frigidaire Washer Shaking Violently & Won't Drain — 5 Causes & How to Fix

You're two minutes into the spin cycle when your Frigidaire GLTF1670AS0 starts walking across the laundry room floor like it's possessed. The banging is loud enough to wake the neighbors, and now there's still standing water in the drum when it finally stops. This combination — violent shaking during spin plus drainage issues — usually points to worn suspension springs or a related spin basket problem.

The suspension system in your Frigidaire washer does more than just dampen vibration. It's what allows the drum to move properly during the spin cycle, which is essential for water extraction. When springs wear out or break, the drum can't position itself correctly, leading to both the shaking you're experiencing and incomplete water drainage.

Quick Symptom Check

Before you start diagnosing, verify you're dealing with a suspension issue:

• Excessive shaking or walking — washer moves several inches during spin cycle
• Loud banging or thumping — sounds like metal hitting metal
• Clothes still soaking wet — water remains in drum after cycle completes
• Error codes — E47 or E48 on Frigidaire models indicate drum positioning issues
• Uneven drum movement — tub tilts to one side when you push on it
• Visible spring damage — you can see broken or stretched springs from the back panel

If you're experiencing three or more of these symptoms, you're likely looking at failed suspension springs (part 134144700).

Cause #1: Broken or Stretched Suspension Springs (Most Likely — 60% of Cases)

The suspension springs in models like the GLTF1570FS0, GLTR1670FS1, and FTF530FS0 are under constant tension. Every spin cycle stretches and releases them hundreds of times. After 5-7 years, metal fatigue sets in.

How to diagnose:

1. Unplug the washer and pull it away from the wall
2. Remove the rear access panel (usually 4-6 screws)
3. Look at the four suspension springs — they connect from the frame to the outer tub
4. Check for visible breaks, extreme stretching (more than 1-2 inches longer than others), or missing rubber insulators
5. Push down on the tub — it should bounce back evenly. If one corner sags, that spring is shot

The fix: Replace all four springs at once, not just the broken one. They wear at similar rates, and replacing only one creates uneven tension that'll cause the same problem within weeks. The 134144700 kit includes springs and insulators for a complete refresh.

Cost: $50-$70 for the spring set. Labor runs $120-$180 if you hire it out, but this is a manageable DIY job for most people.

Cause #2: Worn Shock Absorbers (30% of Cases)

Your Frigidaire uses both springs and shock absorbers. The shocks are at the bottom of the tub — friction dampeners that prevent bounce. When they wear out, the springs can't do their job properly.

How to diagnose:

1. Tilt the washer back (have someone help) or lay it on its front
2. The shocks are the vertical struts connecting the base to the tub
3. Pull them off and test — they should provide smooth, consistent resistance when you compress them
4. If they move freely with no resistance, they're dead

Worn shocks often accompany spring failure. If you've got 8+ years on your GLTF2070DS0 or GLTF1040AS0, plan on replacing both.

The fix: Shock absorbers typically come in pairs and run $40-$80. Replace them at the same time you do the springs — you've already got the washer apart anyway.

Cause #3: Failed Suspension Rods (5% of Cases)

Some Frigidaire models use suspension rods in addition to springs. These are the vertical metal rods with ball joints that allow controlled movement. The ball joints can wear out or the rods can bend.

How to diagnose:

1. With the rear panel off, locate the suspension rods (if your model has them)
2. Check the ball joint connections — there should be no play or looseness
3. Look for bent rods or cracked mounting brackets

Rod failure is less common than spring failure, but when it happens, you'll hear distinct clunking as the tub shifts position.

Cause #4: Loose Tub Mounting Hardware (3% of Cases)

Sometimes it's not the springs themselves — it's where they attach. The mounting brackets can crack or the bolts can work loose from constant vibration.

How to diagnose:

1. Inspect each spring mounting point on both the frame and tub
2. Look for cracked plastic, stripped threads, or loose bolts
3. Wiggle each connection point — there should be zero movement

This is actually good news when you find it — tightening bolts or replacing a $5 bracket beats replacing the whole suspension system.

Cause #5: Unbalanced Load or Incorrect Installation (2% of Cases)

Before you buy parts, rule out the simple stuff. A washer that's not level will shake even with perfect springs. And repeatedly washing one heavy comforter can stress springs prematurely.

Quick checks:

• Use a level on top of the washer — adjust the feet until it's perfect in all directions
• Make sure shipping bolts were removed during installation (yes, people forget this)
• Try running an empty cycle — if it's smooth, you've got a loading issue, not a parts problem

The Drainage Connection

Here's why shaking and drainage problems go hand-in-hand: during the spin cycle, your washer needs to rotate at 1000+ RPM to extract water through centrifugal force. If broken springs prevent the drum from spinning at full speed (because the safety system detects excessive vibration), your clothes stay wet. The washer isn't draining because it never got up to proper spin speed in the first place.

This is different from a clogged pump or failed drain valve — the water just never got flung out of the fabric.

When to Call a Pro

Spring replacement on a Frigidaire front-loader is intermediate difficulty. You'll need to access the back or bottom of the machine, work with springs under tension, and possibly maneuver the heavy outer tub.

Call a technician if:

• You're not comfortable working with springs under tension (they can snap)
• The tub bearing is also making grinding noises (that's a $300+ job requiring near-complete disassembly)
• You find structural damage to the frame or tub mounting points
• Your washer is still under warranty

Otherwise, this is a solid Saturday afternoon project that'll save you $150+ in labor costs.

Prevention Tips

Want your new springs to last longer?

• Always balance loads — don't wash one towel or one king-size comforter alone
• Keep the washer level — check it every six months as floors settle
• Don't overload — if you're cramming clothes in, you're overloading
• Run empty cleaning cycles — keeps the tub balanced and catches issues early

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace just one broken spring instead of all four?

Technically yes, but it's a bad idea. Springs wear at the same rate, so the other three are close to failure. Uneven spring tension also causes the exact shaking problem you're trying to fix. Replace all four with the 134144700 kit — you'll thank yourself in six months when you're not tearing into the washer again.

My washer is only 3 years old — should the springs already be failing?

Probably not, unless you've been consistently overloading it or washing heavy items like rugs and comforters. At 3 years, look first at installation issues (not level, shipping bolts still in), load balancing, or a defective spring from the factory. Frigidaire springs typically last 6-10 years under normal use.

Will replacing the springs fix the drainage issue too?

If the drainage problem is caused by the washer not reaching full spin speed due to excessive vibration, yes — new springs solve both issues. But if you've got standing water even when the washer isn't shaking, you've got a separate drain pump or hose problem. Replace the springs first, then reassess the drainage situation.