An LG WM4000HWA that makes a grinding, rumbling or scraping noise is giving you a symptom that LG's design makes easy to narrow down, because the washer has no drive belt. It uses a Direct Drive inverter motor, which spins the drum directly, so the noise is about the drum, the bearings, the tub, the pump or something loose, never a belt that has slipped. Run the washer empty on a short cycle and listen to when the noise comes:
The checks in more detail
while filling, during the wash tumble, while draining or during the high-speed spin. Start with objects. A coin, a button, an underwire or a hair clip can slip through the holes in the drum and end up between the drum and the tub, where it scrapes with every turn. Open the door and turn the drum by hand, listening for a scrape or a click. A sound only when water drains may be an object in the drain pump;
with the washer unplugged, open the small panel at the lower front, drain the water into a dish and look in the filter and the pump chamber. A rattle that comes with a heavy load may be a loose item inside the load, such as a metal zip. Then balance and level. Use a spirit level on top and adjust the feet until the washer sits level; press on opposite corners to check it does not rock.
A heavy, lopsided or very small load can make the drum knock on spin; add a few mixed items and avoid overloading. If the washer is level, the load is sensible, the drum and pump are clear and the rumble still rises with spin speed, the drum bearings may be worn, which needs a technician. A Sanitize or Steam cycle that runs long and hot is normal. LG gives a long warranty on the direct drive motor, so check your purchase date and quote WM4000HWA and the serial number when you call.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG WM4000HWA front-load washer makes grinding, squealing, clicking or banging noises”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
An object between the drum and tub
What separates it A scrape or click on every turn
How to confirm Turn the drum by hand and listen
- 2
An object in the drain pump
What separates it Grinding while water drains
How to confirm Clean the filter and chamber
- 3
An unlevel washer
What separates it The cabinet rocks and knocks on spin
How to confirm Level the feet
- 4
A heavy or lopsided load
What separates it The drum knocks on spin
How to confirm Rebalance the load
- 5
Worn drum bearings
What separates it A rumble that rises with spin speed
How to confirm Technician diagnosis
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- When the noise happens
- Whether the drum scrapes when turned by hand
- Whether the pump filter has been cleaned
- Whether the cabinet rocks
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedRun it empty
ReversibleListen to when it happens.
Turn the drum by hand
ReversibleFor scraping.
Check the drain filter
ReversibleBehind the lower panel.
Level the washer
ReversibleAdjust the feet.
Rebalance the load
ReversibleMix sizes.
Book service
ReversibleFor bearings.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- No belt
- The drum is driven directly, so belt noises are not on the list.
- Objects
- Small items escape through the drum holes and scrape the tub.
- The pump
- A coin in the pump chamber grinds when water drains.
- Levelling
- An unlevel cabinet knocks on the spin.
- Bearings
- Wear shows as a rumble that rises with speed.
- LG help
- Quote WM4000HWA and the serial number.
- Parts for this problem on the WM4000HWA (RepairClinic, 2026-09-20)
- shock absorber, part number ACV72909506, at $47.40; pump assembly,drain, part number AHA75853813, at $69.18; motor rotor bolt assembly, part number 4040FR4051C, at $15.96.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Stop a cycle that scrapes loudly
- !Unplug before opening the lower panel
- !Call LG for a rumble that rises with spin speed
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Does an LG washer have a belt?+
No, it uses a direct drive motor.
What causes grinding?+
Objects, an unlevel washer or worn bearings.
Is the Sanitize cycle loud?+
It runs hot and long, not louder.
Can I fix bearings myself?+
A technician usually does.
Is the motor warranty long?+
Yes, check the date.
Will it harm clothes?+
A scraping object can, so stop the cycle.
noise grinding: model differences
Also covered: LG front-load or top-load washer.