# Another “What are these things?” thread. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 20, 2019, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-are-these-things-thread/828085 "2019-01-20T01:00:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-are-these-things-thread/828085/1 "2019-01-20T01:00:14Z")
Posting for a Facebook friend. She found them in her house and has no idea what they are. Wood screws and rubber make me think that they held something in place, maybe a cable but the long tube confuses me. [![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190120/313d051276fec7e0def564657028560a.jpg) ](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190120/313d051276fec7e0def564657028560a.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-are-these-things-thread/828085/2 "2019-01-20T01:09:57Z")
Those are for a washing machine. Specifically for transporting a front-loader. Those are screwed through the back to, I believe, keep the drum from moving while it’s being transported. The little hooked bit on the center one helps hold the cord. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-are-these-things-thread/828085/3 "2019-01-20T01:13:40Z")
There’s instructions and pics here: > **[How to (Safely) Move a Washer and Dryer | Dolly Blog](https://dolly.com/blog/how-to-safely-move-a-washer-and-dryer/)** > > When it comes to moving a washer and dryer by yourself, brush up on all the proper safety tips before you begin. Here is a step-by-step guide to help. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-are-these-things-thread/828085/4 "2019-01-20T01:28:27Z")
That’s definitely it. Thanks **Lancia.** ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-are-these-things-thread/828085/5 "2019-01-20T09:28:40Z")
Front-load washing machines have a heavy lump of concrete attached to the back of the drum to act as a counter to unbalanced contents and give it stability when spinning. Left unsecured, the drum can thrash around in transit causing damage. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-are-these-things-thread/828085/6 "2019-01-20T09:45:20Z")
> [@Lancia](#): > > Those are for a washing machine. Specifically for transporting a front-loader. Those are screwed through the back to, I believe, keep the drum from moving while it’s being transported. The little hooked bit on the center one helps hold the cord. How the hell did you know that? ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-are-these-things-thread/828085/7 "2019-01-20T10:02:53Z")
> [@Lancia](#): > > Those are for a washing machine. Specifically for transporting a front-loader. Those are screwed through the back to, I believe, keep the drum from moving while it’s being transported. The little hooked bit on the center one helps hold the cord. 9 minutes.:eek: Very nice.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gbro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Gbro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gbro)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-are-these-things-thread/828085/8 "2019-01-22T00:15:43Z")
Here is a short video explaining the use and removal. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/g13K-5UD6jo/maxresdefault.jpg "How to remove transit bolts from your washing machine | by Indesit") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g13K-5UD6jo) ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-are-these-things-thread/828085/9 "2019-01-22T14:33:59Z")
Since the first one was answered so quick, what is this thing installed on my water heater? I think it’s an anti scald device but I can’t tell if it’s at all adjustable it how it’s supposed to work exactly. It has what appear to be adjusting screws but touching them just makes the thing leak. [![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190122/4c8ffaa9f059f59c3adb46d1856632b8.jpg) ](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190122/4c8ffaa9f059f59c3adb46d1856632b8.jpg) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-are-these-things-thread/828085/10 "2019-01-22T15:35:36Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > How the hell did you know that? My omnipotence knows no bounds! > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Since the first one was answered so quick, what is this thing installed on my water heater? I think it’s an anti scald device but I can’t tell if it’s at all adjustable it how it’s supposed to work exactly. It has what appear to be adjusting screws but touching them just makes the thing leak. > > [https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190122/4c8ffaa9f059f59c3adb46d1856632b8.jpg](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190122/4c8ffaa9f059f59c3adb46d1856632b8.jpg) > > Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Well… maybe it does. That would be my guess although I’d have to see where those individual pipes are coming from / going to. If it’s mixing cold water into the hot supply then I’m sure you’re right. Otherwise… no clue. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-are-these-things-thread/828085/11 "2019-01-22T17:55:11Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > How the hell did you know that? Presumably the same way I did (though I was beaten to it and wasn’t able to show off my washing machine expertise). By having bought and unpacked a washing machine. 🙂