If your Kenmore 11047512602 front-load washing machine shakes or vibrates heavily during the spin cycle, worn or broken shock absorbers are one of the most common causes, often along with worn suspension springs. These parts dampen the movement of the tub as it spins, and once they wear out the tub can bounce against the cabinet instead of staying steady. The fix usually involves accessing the shock absorbers near the base of the tub, checking them for wear or separation, and replacing them as a full set.

This guide explains what the shock absorbers do, how to tell when they are failing, what tools and parts you need, and how to troubleshoot and replace them on a Kenmore 11047512602 washer.

What Do the Shock Absorbers Do?

Shock absorbers, sometimes called dampers, connect the outer tub of the washing machine to the base of the cabinet. Their job is to absorb and control the natural movement of the tub as it spins at high speed, especially with an uneven or heavy load. Without properly functioning shocks, the tub is free to swing and bounce more than it should, which translates into the washer shaking, banging, and walking across the floor during the spin cycle.

On many Kenmore front-load models, the shock absorbers work alongside suspension springs, which support the weight of the tub, so the two systems are closely related and often wear out around the same time.

Common Causes of Excessive Vibration

• Worn or leaking shock absorbers: Over time, the internal damping mechanism wears down and the shocks can no longer control tub movement.

• Broken or stretched suspension springs: These springs support the tub’s weight, and if one breaks or loses tension, the tub can sit unevenly and shake during spin.

• Shock absorbers separated from their mounts: Moving the washer can sometimes pop a shock loose from its pin or bracket without actually breaking it.

• Unbalanced or uneven loads: Repeatedly washing single heavy items, like a comforter, without balancing items can strain the suspension over time.

• Washer not level on the floor: Even with healthy shocks, an unlevel washer will vibrate more than normal during spin.

• Worn tub bearing: In more advanced cases, a failing bearing lets the drum move around inside the tub, which can look like a shock problem but requires a different repair.

Signs Your Shock Absorbers Need Replacing

Common Symptoms

• Loud banging, thumping, or knocking noise during the spin cycle

• The washer shakes hard enough to move or walk across the floor

• Vibration is present even with a small, balanced load

• You can see or feel a shock absorber that is disconnected or hanging loose when looking underneath the washer

Quick Diagnostic Checklist

• Confirm the washer is sitting level using a bubble level, and adjust the leveling legs if needed before assuming the shocks are bad.

• Run an empty spin cycle and listen for banging, which points more toward suspension or shock failure than a simple unbalanced load.

• Visually inspect the shock absorbers, usually located near the base of the tub, for signs of leaking fluid, cracking, or a disconnected mounting pin.

• Gently push down on the tub to test resistance. A healthy suspension system should resist and slowly return, while a worn one will feel loose or bounce too easily.

Parts and Tools Needed

Safety Precautions Before You Start

• Unplug the washing machine before removing any panels.

• If accessing the shocks requires tilting or laying the washer down, have a second person help support it.

• Wear gloves because the base of the cabinet and mounting brackets often have sharp edges.

• Replace shock absorbers as a full set rather than one at a time, since mismatched wear between old and new parts can cause continued imbalance.

Step-by-Step Shock Absorber Troubleshooting and Replacement

1. Rule out leveling and load issues first. Before opening the cabinet, confirm the washer is level on the floor and that you are not consistently washing small, unbalanced loads. This step alone can solve some vibration complaints without needing parts.

2. Access the shock absorbers. Unplug the washer and remove the front or side panel, depending on your Kenmore washer’s layout, to expose the base of the tub where the shock absorbers are mounted.

3. Inspect each shock absorber. Check each shock for visible leaking, cracking, or separation from its mounting pin. Note that a shock that has simply popped loose during a move can sometimes be reattached without replacement.

4. Test suspension resistance. With the panel open, gently push down on the tub and observe how much resistance the suspension provides. Little to no resistance, or an audible clunk, points to worn shocks or springs.

5. Remove the old shock absorbers. Use pliers or a screwdriver to release the retaining pin or clip securing each shock to its mounting bracket. Disconnect the shock from both the tub and the cabinet base, working one shock at a time so the tub stays supported.

6. Install the new shock absorbers. Position each new shock in the same mounting orientation as the original and secure it with the retaining pin or clip. Replace them one at a time rather than removing all of them at once.

7. Reassemble and reconnect. Reinstall the front or side panel and secure all screws. Avoid overtightening plastic clips.

8. Test the repair. Plug the washing machine back in and run a full spin cycle, ideally with a small test load, to confirm the vibration and banging noise are gone.

How to Test After Replacement

• Run an empty spin cycle first and listen closely for any remaining banging or knocking sounds.

• Follow with a normal load spin cycle to confirm the washer stays steady and does not shift position on the floor.

• Recheck that the washer is still sitting level after reassembly, since panel removal can slightly shift its footing.

• If vibration continues after replacing the shocks, the problem may be a worn tub bearing or broken counterbalance spring instead.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Replacing only one shock absorber instead of the full set, which can lead to uneven damping and continued vibration

• Disconnecting more than one suspension rod or shock at the same time without supporting the tub, which can let the tub drop inside the cabinet

• Assuming it is the shocks without first checking that the washer is level and the load is reasonably balanced

• Skipping inspection of the suspension springs, since these often fail alongside the shocks and cause the same symptoms

• Overtightening panel screws during reassembly, which can crack the plastic housing

Maintenance Tips to Prevent Future Vibration Issues

• Check that the washer stays level periodically, especially after moving it, and readjust the leveling legs as needed.

• Avoid consistently washing single heavy items alone, and add a few smaller items to help balance the load.

• Address unusual noises early, since a shock absorber that has simply popped loose is much easier to fix than one that has fully failed.

• Keep the washer’s load size within the manufacturer’s recommended capacity to reduce long-term strain on the suspension system.