How to replace your washing machine bearings

Knowing how to replace washing machine bearings is stressful sometimes. It has a metal ring shape that supports the rotation of your washing machine drum. However, replacing washing machine bearings can be stressful but this article simplifies it for you.

Indications That Your Washing Machine Bearings Need Replacement

For you to know if your washing machine bearing needs replacement, here are some indications you should pay close attention to:

• Unusual noise such as loud rumbling or grinding when spinning.
• When there’s excessive vibration and a loose drum when you manually turn the washing machine.
• If the door seal and drum wobble when you put your hands between them and lift your fingers.
• Seeing a small piece of plastic in the drum or your cloth after washing.
• When you see shredded plastic at the back of the machine.

How To Replace A Washing Machine Bearing

Tools

Screwdriver: To remove screws and access the washing machine’s internal components.

Adjustable Wrench: This is a versatile tool you can use to lose and tighten various nuts and bolts during the assembling and reassembling process.

Hammer: This will help you tap on the bearings components into place gently.

Pliers: You’ll need both the regular and needle-nose pliers for you to grip and operate fasteners and small components.

Socket Set: A set of sockets and ratchet will help you remove nuts and bolts from different dimensions.

Rubber Mallet: Tap the drum as well as the bearing into place to minimize damage.

Spanner Wrench: You may need a spanner wrench to dislocate the tub nut or other specialized fasteners based on the actual model of your washing machine.

Work Gloves: Use gloves to protect your hands in the process of repairing especially when you are dealing with heavy components.

Materials

Replacement Bearings: Purchase the correct type, size, durable, and high-quality bearings for the long-term performance of your washing machine.

Grease: Get a recommended high-quality grease for your washing machine bearings.

Cleaning solvent: You’ll need solvent or degrader to clean the surrounding component of the drum to remove residue.

Towels And Rags: To help clean the components of the bearing and mess during the repair process.

Safety Glasses: To protect your eyes from splashes of cleaning solvent or lubricants.

Disconnecting Your Washing Machine

• Remove the top panels by removing the two screws at the back. They are usually fastened with a Torx-head screw.
• Remove the soap dispenser after removing the lid. Again, just pull out the draw, and then a clip at the back will release it so that it can slide out with ease.
• Now, remove the fascia, or control panel on the front. This will be held in place by screws that are positioned around the front. Just remove it to make the panel come free. During this repair, you’ll need to remove several screws and various fasteners. It’s advisable to label and keep them apart according to their parts to avoid confusion when you are reassembling everything.
• The control panel will have several electrical connections attached to it at the rear of the fascia. You should be able to lay the entire panel on the side of the machine’s frame, out of the way of your work, so you do not need to disconnect these. You can snap a picture for you to see how you can reassemble everything correctly if you decide to delete these connections.

Remove Your Washing Machine Drum

• Next, remove the kick plate at the machine’s bottom. Some are fastened with screws that you need to remove for the panel to come off. Then, remove the drain hose from the kick plate and put that to one side.
• Take off the front panel. Fasten them with a variety of screws, most likely at the top and sides. You should take them out before taking off the door seal. To accomplish this, release the outer retention band, which is a little metal spring band that’s located directly beneath the seal. Once you free it, it’ll just pull away. Then push the front of the seal into the drum for it to be removed from the front panel. Unscrew the screws surrounding the door lock, and the front panel will slide off.
• After that, disconnect the detergent tray from the tub. Then first remove the cross member and metal bracket at the front. The detergent hose that runs from the tray to the tub is now accessible. To move the detergent dispenser out of the way and rebalance it on the machine’s side, use pliers to loosen the clip and draw the hose away from the tub.
• Then, counterbalance weights out. This can differ depending on the location and quantity of each unit. Usually, they’ll be fastened by bolts; all you have to do is to unscrew them, and the weights ought to loosen up.
• It’s time to take out the heating element. Once more, remember to snap a picture of the cable connections so you can remember where they’re all going. Then remove the element by loosening the nut and holding it in place.
• Take the sump or drain pipe out of the bathtub. After removing the pressure hose from the tub’s side, loosen the fastening clip around the sump pipe with a screwdriver or pliers.

Detaching Washing Machine Pipe

• After disconnecting your tub on the front side, just take out any fasteners, such as wires. To remove the rear panel, flip your machine over or reach the back.
• Then you need to take off the drive belt. You can unhook a little portion from the steering wheel and rotate it until it comes free for you to be able to remove the belt.
• The motor is the last component to detach from the drum. It’s simple to remove, but do not forget to snap a photo of the electrical connections.
• After that, unbolt the motor, and it should come free of its housing (it has weight cautious). You can then remove the pressure chamber under the tub. It should also be easy to remove, it’s merely clipped in at the bottom.
• Now that you have removed every part of the tub, it’s just the springs and legs that are keeping it in place. So, take off the supporting feet and unhook the springs to release the tub.
• After removing the tub from the machine, remove the inner retaining band and the door seal (just like previously).
• It is now simpler to turn the machine over so that the bearings are accessible. Remove the pulley wheel that is simply bolted to the main spindle. If your bearings are seized, you might need to pound it through for it to release the drum. Otherwise, you should be able to feel the drum dropping through.
•  Next, you need to fully separate the tub. Utilize Torx head screws to secure the tub, but you may also need plastic tabs that run the whole length of the tub. It’s rather easy to break these off because it’s impossible to split the tub and keep them all together. To remove them, you can use a sharp chisel, a pair of pliers, or sharp scissors. It’s hoped that your drum will only be fastened with screws, as this will simplify the process of removing it.

Detaching Old Washing Machine Bearing

• Turn the tube to one side to remove the front portion of the tub and put it aside. Then place the inner drum back to one side after simply coming free. The spindle will be visible after the drum separates. Over time, a build-up of muck, detergent, and limescale can cause significant harm to this. For this reason, it’s crucial to perform a maintenance wash with a descaler and detergent remover once a month.
• You may now replace your bearings after you have disassembled everything. You can see the bearings tucked neatly into the center in the back section of the tub. The bearing seal is located at the back and is followed by the front bearing and the smaller rear bearing on the outside of the tub. The first thing you should do is pound these old bearings out of their housing.
• You can start with the smaller back. Place the tub on some sort of block to allow room for the tiny bearing to emerge from underneath. Subsequently, insert a flat-edge chisel into the small bearing (via the aperture between the bigger bearing and the seal) and begin tapping out the bearing gently, rotating it while tapping it for even removal. To avoid damaging the housing that the bearing is housed in, do it cautiously and slowly.
• The next you’ll proceed with is the front bearing. To remove the bearing, flip the tub over and tap it through, then remove the seal that will come through in the process.

Install the new bearing

• Thoroughly clean everything as soon as you finish. Make sure you clean the area in which the bearing will rest, and wipe away any debris with detergent remover then use limescale to clean the entire tub. Be careful while doing this to avoid harming your new bearings.
• You should begin with the larger front bearing after cleaning everything thoroughly. Do not strike the center of the bearing when you are tapping it. It can damage the part, in which case you’ll have to start over by replacing the new ones. To make sure the bearing goes back to level, carefully tap its edges with a flat-head chisel, going around the bearing. When the bearing contacts the race, you’ll know it’s in position.
• After everything is in place, you can now push or hammer the seal in until it is at the same level as the bottom of the tub.
• Applying silicone sealant over the rubber seal could also be helpful before replacing the tub seal. After that, align the tub’s front half and attach them. These screws on your machine can include numbers indicating the sequence they should be tightened in. If not, make sure the tub pulls together evenly by tightening the screws on alternative sides.
• You can now snap out all the parts, make sure you double-check your photos, and ensure you restore everything correctly.

FAQs

How Long Does The Washing Machine Bearing Last?

If you care for your washing machine bearing regularly, it can last up to 5-10 years, or around 1,000-2,000 wash cycles. It’s important to know that this is just an estimate, based on the actual factors above, individual bearings can last longer or shorter.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace Washing Machine Bearings?

Replacing your washing machine bearings is relatively cheap, you can buy it for around $50. The labor is what will determine the total cost of replacing the washing machine bearings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, how to replace your washing machine bearing requires carefulness. Referring to the steps in this article will help you successfully replace your washing machine bearing without damaging other components.