Whirlpool Cabrio washers are well known for their reliability and quality. But that quality comes with a price – our hearing. Yes, Whirlpool Cabrio washers have a reputation for being noisy. It can be incredibly frustrating to use them, knowing that each time you turn the washing machine on it’s going to make a racket.
Can you make a Whirlpool Cabrio washer quieter? The good news is that you can. The key to knowing how to make a Whirlpool Cabrio washer quieter is in knowing the cause of specific sounds during the different wash cycles.
Once you'd identified the sound you can zero in on the cause of the noise to address it.
Here are some washer noises to look out for and what you can do to make them quieter.
Why is my Whirlpool Cabrio washer so loud?
Truth be told there could be many reasons for why your Whirlpool Cabrio washer is making so much noise. The best way to avoid washer noise is to buy one of the quietest washing machines to begin with. Whirlpool Cabrio washers are popular but they have some common problems.
Below we’ll discuss a number of those reasons and deal with more specific causes of the noise coming from your Whirlpool Cabrio washer and questions you might have.
Why Is My Washer Loud During Spin Cycle?
- The pump belt is worn
A pump belt is often used in top load washers. Over time the belt can get damaged or wear out. The result is that you’ll hear squealing or loud noises when the washing machine spins or drains. A dead giveaway that the belt is the problem, is if you can smell burning rubber.
You can also take a look inside the washer to see whether the belt is worn to the point that it needs replacing. If you see that the pump belt needs to be replaced, you need to turn off the washing machine before you do anything else.
Checking the documents that come with the washing machine to see the tension adjustment specifications is a good idea.
Removing the pump belt hasn’t stopped the noise? Then it’ll be best to get hold of a mechanic who has a good reputation to come and take a look at the Whirlpool Cabrio washer.
- The tub bearing is defective
Tub bearings are what causes the tub in your washer to spin or turn easily. You can find tub bearings in a top load Whirlpool Cabrio washer as well as a front load washer.
Although the tub bearings are kept in good condition because of protective seal (prevents water and detergent from damaging the tub bearings), if you overload your Whirlpool Cabrio washer with strong detergents it can erode the protective seal and leave the tub bearings exposed.
Even if you don’t use harsh detergents, like with any washing machine, over time the protective seal will deteriorate.
There’s no specific noise that gives us an indication that the tub bearings are the issue. But in general, if your Whirlpool Cabrio washer is making a lot of noise then it’s quite possible that the tub bearings are the culprits.
If after an inspection you think that is the case, you should replace the bearings and the tub seal. But don’t do this on your own, it’s better and safer to hire a professional to take care of this job.
- The clutch assembly is worn out
A Whirlpool Cabrio washer has a clutch that plays a vital role in the spinning of the tub. If the washer is overloaded frequently, the clutch wears out over time and causes the tub to spin more slowly and create more noise. To be more specific, if the clutch assembly is worn out, your Whirlpool Cabrio washer will make loud banging noises.
The simple solution to this problem is to replace the clutch. It’s possible for you to fix your Whirlpool Cabrio washer on your own but if you’re not familiar with the washer it would be better to call in a mechanic.
- The drive motor coupling has failed
A failed drive motor coupling will cause your Whirlpool Cabrio washer to create loud thudding vibrations. A drive motor coupling is made out of rubber and is responsible for connecting the motor to the transmission.
Like with any component, the coupling wears out after it’s been in use for some time and will start to vibrate. This is what causes that loud thudding vibration. You need to inspect the drive motor coupling and replace it if you can see that it’s damaged.
Why is my Whirlpool Cabrio washer so noisy when agitating?
- U-Joint failure
Whirlpool Cabrio washer noise when agitating is a common complaint. The U-Joint is one of the main components that contributes to the agitation motion in a Whirlpool Cabrio washer. If the loud noise you hear is coming from the washer, then it’s most likely that the U-Joint has failed.
Replacing a U-Joint is very expensive so you might be better to replace the entire Whirlpool Cabrio washer instead of fixing it.
- Tub seal and bearing kit
It’s possible that the tub seal and bearing kit need to be replaced. You’ll need to take most of the washer apart to replace these components and it won’t be an easy task. It’s best to replace the tub seal and bearing kit as soon as possible because if it gets worse, you might have to buy a new washing machine.
- The drive pulley is strained or damaged
A drive pulley that’s worn out can cause grinding noises. For this problem, you’ll have to remove the pulley from the washer and check to see if it’s worn out. Keep an eye out for glazing, tears, or cracks. You need to replace the drive pulley if you see that there’s an issue.
- The stator assembly is malfunctioning
This particular component is another cause of the grinding noise your Whirlpool Cabrio washer makes during it’s agitate cycle. The stator assembly creates an electromagnetic connection that links to the tub.
If there’s a crack in the stator assembly or an error in the code could cause the washing machine to make loud noises during agitation. You can check the rotor located at the back of the washer to see whether there are cracks or whether the magnet is damaged.
- The motor control board has a defect
The motor control board is one of the first places you’ll want to look when your Whirlpool Cabrio washer doesn’t agitate properly. A motor control board is essential for the washer’s smooth functionality because it gives the motor the force it needs to start up the washer as well as provide direction for the agitators.
You should be quick to replace the control board as soon as you can gather that there is something wrong with it or it’s unreliable.
- The agitator dogs are slipping
What are agitator dogs? They’re basically the component that is responsible for the rotating of the agitator. It’s quite normal for agitator dogs to wear out and slip after frequent use. You can locate the agitator dogs at the top section of the agitator, in the center column.
Why is my Whirlpool Cabrio washer so noisy during a wash cycle?
- Pulley or belt issues
Once again, the pulley or belt in your Whirlpool Cabrio washer could be causing the noise during the wash cycle. This is another of the more common Whirlpool Cabrio washer problems. Both the drive pulley and belt can degrade over time and when they don’t work properly, they make a noise.
You can inspect both of these components to see if they need replacing. Fortunately, a pulley or belt replacement is not going to break the bank.
- The transmission is worn out
The transmission works with the clutch and motor coupling to make sure that the inner tub in the washing machine doesn’t spin at incredibly high speeds. Instead of the washing machine being out of control, these components work together to get the inner tub up to speed at a steady pace instead of all at once.
When these components wear out or become defective, they stop working properly and create noise. The gears in the transmission can also fail. You should check the clutch and motor coupling first for signs of wear or damage before moving onto the transmission. Replace the components where necessary.
- The drain pump is faulty
A faulty drain pump will prevent the water within the tub from being able to drain properly. If you hear a loud noise particularly when your Whirlpool Cabrio washer is being drained, then the drain pump is properly the problem.
Fortunately, the drain pump may not have to be replaced. Take the drain pump out of the washing machine and look for any blockages or anything that could be stuck in the pipe. If you can’t find any then consider replacing the drain pump.
What specific noises does a Whirlpool Cabrio washer make and what does it mean?
Banging noises
A worn out clutch assembly is the most common cause of banging noises. If your Whirlpool Cabrio washer is making this sound, then you should check out the clutch assembly. Replacing the clutch assembly is advised.
Rattling sounds
When your Whirlpool Cabrio washer makes rattling sounds, it doesn’t always mean that there’s a problem. You will hear this noise at the beginning and end of a cycle, and this is when it’s completely normal to hear rattling.
But what if you hear rattling sounds in the middle of a spin? Then you’ve got a problem, but it can be sorted out. Check the washer level as well as the tub to see if there are any objects that are spinning around in the tub with your washing (coins, nails etc.)
It’s also possible that something might be knocking against the washer, so check for that as well.
Loud vibrations
A failed drive motor coupling causes loud washer vibrations. If that’s what you’re hearing, inspect your Whirlpool Cabrio washers drive motor couplings and replace it if you can see that it’s damaged.
It could also be a balance issue and the noise could be reduced by using antivibration pads for washing machines.
Grinding noises
Grinding noises are mostly associated with Whirlpool Cabrio washers when it’s on an agitate cycle. The cause of the noise could be anything from U-Joint failure to stator assembly malfunction.
Other causes of these grinding sounds include a worn out tub seal and bearing kit, motor control board defect, slipping agitator dogs and damaged/strained drive pulleys.
So, there you have it. We’ve discussed several reasons why your Whirlpool Cabrio washer is making noise. Whether it’s during an agitate, spin or wash cycle, we’ve listed some of the causes of the noise and how you can fix the issue.
Are Cabrio Washers Loud?
They're probably no louder than most other washers but they can make some loud noises when one of their components begin to fail. You can make your Cabrio washer quieter though if you identify the part that is making the noise.
It's probably easiest to have a repair technician do the repair but if you feel up to it you can check out a Whirlpool Cabrio manual and try it your self.
Banging, grinding, loud vibrations and rattling sounds are all indicators that there is something wrong with your Whirlpool Cabrio washer.
To make your Whirlpool Cabrio washer quieter normally involves replacing a faulty component. If you feel like you can fix it on your own, we recommend following tutorials and getting all the information you need before doing so. Otherwise, you should call in a repairman.