What is a shock absorber?

Front-load washers support the tub on springs above and shock absorbers below. The shocks are what stop a 1,200 rpm spin from shaking the machine apart. When they wear, the machine vibrates hard, walks, and can eventually damage the door boot and even the bearings. They are sold individually but should always be replaced as a matched set. On a newly installed machine, check for shipping bolts before condemning the shocks — bolts left in cause identical symptoms and cost nothing to fix.