A grinding, rumbling or screeching noise from an LG WM6500HBA is worth tracing, because on this washer the sound usually says whether it is a load, a loose object or a part wearing out. LG uses a belt-less direct drive motor, so there is no belt to slap or squeal, which means a grinding noise points elsewhere: a coin or underwire caught in the drain pump, a heavy unbalanced load or a worn drum bearing. Start with when the noise happens. A noise during fill is the water inlet valve, a hum or buzz is normal;
The checks in more detail
a rattle during the wash can be a metal item in the drum or a loose button; a grinding during drain is the pump; a rumble or roar in the spin, getting worse as the speed rises, is the load balance or the bearings. Simple checks first. Empty the pockets, since coins and keys can reach the pump. Check the drum for items stuck between the drum and the door, and look at the door gasket. Level the washer: the four feet must sit firmly, with the machine not rocking when you press diagonally on the top;
adjust the feet and tighten the locknuts. Make sure the transit bolts were removed if it is new, since they hold the drum for shipping. A heavy single item, such as a comforter, thumps in the spin, so wash it with towels to balance. Do not wash an item that is too heavy. Then the drain pump filter. At the front bottom, behind a small cover, is a filter that traps coins and debris; with towels and a shallow tray, unscrew it slowly to drain the water and clean out what is inside, and check the pump impeller behind it for something stuck.
A grinding that stays after this, and a drum that feels rough when you turn it by hand, with a rumble when empty, suggests worn bearings, which need a technician, and a repair on a large washer may cost a good part of its price. LG's direct drive motor has a ten year warranty on the motor, which does not cover bearings. Note the sound and the cycle stage and contact LG with the serial number.
Differential
Likely causes of “LG WM6500HBA front-load washer makes grinding, squealing, clicking or banging noises”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A coin or object in the drain pump
What separates it Grinding during drain
How to confirm Clean the drain filter and pump
- 2
An unbalanced or heavy load
What separates it A rumble or thump in the spin
How to confirm Redistribute or wash with other items
- 3
An unlevel washer or shipping bolts
What separates it Rocking and noise
How to confirm Level it and remove the transit bolts
- 4
A metal item in the drum
What separates it A rattle
How to confirm Check the drum and the gasket
- 5
Worn drum bearings
What separates it A roar even when empty
How to confirm Technician repair
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- When in the cycle the noise occurs
- The type of sound
- Whether the washer rocks
- Whether the drum feels rough by hand
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedNote when it makes noise
ReversibleFill, wash, drain or spin.
Empty pockets and check the drum
ReversibleFor objects.
Level the washer
ReversibleTighten the locknuts.
Clean the drain filter
ReversibleWith towels ready.
Spin the drum by hand
ReversibleFeel for roughness.
Contact LG
ReversibleFor bearings.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Direct drive
- There is no belt to squeal.
- Drain filter
- It traps coins.
- Parts for this problem on the WM6500HBA (RepairClinic, 2026-09-20)
- tub seal, part number MDS62058301, 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
- !If the noise remains with a clean filter and a level washer, contact LG with the serial number
- !Bearings need a technician
- !Stop using it if the noise is severe
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my LG washer grind?+
An object in the pump or a worn bearing.
Does it have a belt?+
No, it has direct drive.
Is a rumble in the spin serious?+
It may be balance or bearings.
Is the motor warranty long?+
Ten years for the motor.