Washing Machine Grinding Noise?

Grinding noise on a Whirlpool top-loader almost always comes from the drive components under the tub, not the motor itself. Based on the sound in your video, these are the two most common causes:

1. Worn agitate dogs (agitator “dogs” / cam kit)

If the noise happens during wash/agitate, the plastic dogs are stripped and slipping.

Cheap and easy fix — the top of the agitator comes off and the kit drops in.

2. Failing gearcase / clutch assembly

If the noise is heavier and continues through both wash and spin, the transmission gears or clutch are wearing out.

This creates a grinding/rumbling sound exactly like what you described.

Quick checks you can do:

Try spinning the agitator by hand — if it slips or clicks, it’s the dogs.

Tilt the washer back — look for oil leaking from the gearcase (a sure sign it’s failing).

If you can upload a 5–10 second close-up of the sound from the bottom of the machine, I can tell you which one it is for sure.