SQ toploader

[BWP]

This is an older model, but when it spins, it thumps a little and comes out about 2 - 3 inches from the others. It is level and the load is not unbalanced. It will only do this for the first spin, the second it is fine. But if you push it back flush with the rest of the row, it was come out again. Any ideas??

[Outlaw]

If it is walking then one of the legs is not adjusted correctly. If it less that about 10-12 years old, it has 2 adjustable legs in the front and the rear legs are self adjusting. Older than that, all four are adjustable.
Also SQ had some inferior floors in the TLs for a while and the nuts that the feet screw into can break out, check for that.

[srhaz]

Can anyone explain, in simple terms, just how the rear legs self adjust? The mechanics behind it I mean.

[pete f]

There are supposed to be rubber caps on the legs. If those are missing the machine can move around. After you level it, make sure all the legs have a cap. You may be missing one, causing it to be unlevel. The caps sort of disingrate over a long period of time.

[Outlaw]

srhaz....imagine a machine tilted a few degrees to the right, as you set it down the right leg hits the floor first, the legs float but are connected, as the right one hits the floor it gets shoved up into the machine which in turn lowers the left leg until it touches the floor. This only works because the front legs are fixed (adjustable but fixed), thus the rear legs will take the same level as the front legs.

[Ken]

If you can not move the tub left to right easy,your washer need some grease.SQ toploader has a pivot dome,under the dome has some grease.
SQ use silcon grease in the factory,it dry out after a few years,you need to regrease it ,may need to replace the pad under the dome too,they are cheap parts.
You can buy silcon grease from your dealer or just use bearing grease,you will need to remove the timer 2 screw(7/16) 2 lid screws(5/16) move the top , drive belt,springs then remove the tub to grease the dome.

[pete f]

I like Ken more than my brother but I will caution on greasing the dome.. snub pads. I tried it once and the tub went OOB all the time, to much lube..I had to rip it apart and de grease it all.. Use SQ snub pad and thier silcon, it will keep your tub from to much movement.

[Ken]

Use factory stuff always better.It is not silcon,it is silcon base grease,don't use the window silcon for your SQ!You have to buy it from your SQ dealer!
When I just started this biz 13 years ago, took me about 6 months to find out this problem.I tried add more sping,wood 2x4 , screwed all my top loader together... ,my old top loaders still moved like crazy then I found out I need to grease/silcon the dome.
When you put it together,you may want to put a little grease in the outter tub where spring hook on,it will make your outter tub last longer.
Use chain-o-lock to remove first spring,use the spring remove other springs.

[BWJR]

In addition to what has also been suggested, take of the front and make sure all the springs to the tub are connected and in place, maybe one broke or came loose. Possibly one need to be adjusted and moved up to tighten the tub up.

Good luck,

BWJR

[Outlaw]

You guys are missing one thing, if the problem is 'inside' the cabinet then the out of balance switch would trip. I am still thinking it's outside of the cabinet, such as a broken leg.
Also about 6 years ago SQ went away from the pivot dome with greased pads and now use a flat bottom dome with a teflon floating ring between the dome and the floor of the machine. This does NOT want grease.