Frigidaire's guide sorts FFFW5000 noises into normal and not normal. Normal: water flowing in the drain hose and the standpipe, water valve sounds as the dispenser fills, humming and gurgling from the high-velocity drain pump, and a high-pitched motor whine during the spin (the guide's 'jet engine' sound). Not normal: rattling or clanking from coins or safety pins in the drum or pump, belt buckles and metal fasteners hitting the drum, a thump from an unbalanced heavy load, or vibration from a washer not resting firmly on the floor or with shipping bolts and the foam block still fitted. Abnormal, ongoing sounds may signal a pending failure and should be investigated.
Differential
Likely causes of “Frigidaire FFFW5000 front-load washer makes grinding, squealing”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Normal operating sounds
What separates it Flow, humming, gurgling and a motor whine at known moments
How to confirm Compare with the guide's list of normal sounds
- 2
Foreign objects in the drum or pump
What separates it There is a rattling or clanking that continues after a restart because foreign objects are in the drum or the pump
How to confirm Stop and check the drum; if it continues call a servicer for the pump
- 3
Metal fasteners hitting the drum
What separates it There are clanks at the start of the spin because metal fasteners are hitting the drum
How to confirm Fasten the fasteners, and turn the items inside out, before you wash them
- 4
Shipping bolts or foam block left in, or an unlevel washer
What separates it There is violent vibration because shipping bolts or the foam block were left in, or the washer is unlevel
How to confirm Remove the shipping items and adjust the leveling legs
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- What the noise sounds like and when it occurs
- Whether the shipping bolts were removed at installation
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedMatch the sound
ReversibleCompare it with the guide: drain hose flow, valve sounds, pump hum and gurgle, motor whine at spin.
Check pockets and the drum
ReversibleCheck the pockets and the drum, by stopping the washer and looking for coins, safety pins or fasteners.
Redistribute a thumping load
ReversibleRedistribute a thumping load, since a heavy load can thump, so stop the washer and rearrange it.
Level and check shipping parts
ReversibleMove the washer so it rests firmly, adjust the legs and confirm the shipping bolts and foam block are removed.
Call service for ongoing noise
ReversibleCall service for ongoing noise, since abnormal, ongoing sounds should be investigated by a technician.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Normal sound list for the FFFW5000
- Frigidaire names four normal sounds: water flowing into the standpipe through the flexible drain hose, water flowing as the dispenser system fills, humming and gurgling from the high-velocity drain pump, and a high-speed motor sound during the spin that varies with load size and the cycle chosen. The guide adds that abnormal, ongoing sounds may indicate a pending failure and should be investigated by a technician.
- Parts for this problem on the FFFW5000 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-20)
- gasket between front & rear outer plastic tubs, part number 5304520351, at $77.75; shock absorber kit, part number 5304491700, at $78.94; drain pump, part number 137311900, at $165.95; motor control board, part number 134618213, at $225.34.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the FFTW4120 top-load washer, FLCE7522 laundry-center washer, FLXE52 laundry-center washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a rattle continues after checking the drum, objects may be in the pump; call an authorized servicer
- !If the noise grows or turns to scraping, stop the washer
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
The published manual page that ties the FFTW4120SW top-loader to Frigidaire's use and care guide A07504301.
Frigidaire's own owner-support article titles for these three codes.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-20.
Exact questions
Common questions
Is a high-pitched whine normal?+
Yes; a certain amount of motor whine is normal during the spin cycle, per the guide.
Why does it hum and gurgle after the wash?+
The high-velocity drain pump makes humming and gurgling as it pumps water out; both are normal.
What causes rattling?+
Foreign objects such as coins or safety pins in the drum or pump.
Could the shipping bolts cause vibration?+
Yes; if they and the foam block were not removed during installation.
How do I prevent metal noise?+
Fasten fasteners and turn items inside out.