How to properly remove a bearing from a drum

A grinding noise that appears while the washing machine is running at full speed, or water leaking from the bottom of the machine may indicate the need to replace the bearings. It will be difficult for a beginner to remove this important part in a washing machine, since it will require some skill. To begin with, it is worth studying this process theoretically, and only then putting everything into practice, assessing your capabilities.

Preparing tools for work

To remove a bearing from a washing machine drum, you don’t need any special tools, except for a puller, carefully picking up the bearing race and removing it from the shaft. In general, it is enough to have a set of simple tools that most men have in the household. Depending on the specific model and brand of machine, you may need:

• screwdrivers;
• pliers;
• wrenches (17 and 19 mm)
• socket wrenches ranging in size from 7 to 13 mm;
• rubber hammer;
• hexagon size 6 mm;
• sealant and lubricant (for example, Silicon-Fett grease or Litol-24 grease);
• chisel;
• puller

Don’t rush to purchase a puller; make sure that the bearing does not require replacement, otherwise it’s okay if you damage its race with a hammer. If you cannot do without a puller, purchase a universal puller that fits different sizes of bearings; it will be useful to you in the future.

Taking the tank out of the car: instructions

The work of installing the tank and drum begins with turning off the power to the machine; we also do not forget to close the water supply tap to the machine. To remove the drum you need to disassemble the body of the washing machine. To do this you need:

1. Place the washing machine so that there is easy access to it from all sides.
2. Remove the top cover of the machine by unscrewing two Phillips-head bolts from the rear side.
   
3. Pull out the tray for powder and conditioner.
4. Unscrew the bolt located under the tray.
5. Remove the lower front part of the machine body.
6. Unscrew two more bolts located under it.
7. Pull the clamp out of the hatch and remove the rubber cuff from the body.
   
8. Having released the device blocking the hatch, disconnect the front part of the housing.
   
9. Now unscrew the back of the machine body
10. Remove the belt.
11. We find and disconnect the wires from the heating element.
    

    Important! When disconnecting wiring and other elements, fix their correct location on the camera, this will make it easier to assemble the equipment.

12. Disconnect the pipe leading from the pump to the tank.
    
13. Remove counterweights.
14. Unscrew the two bolts holding the engine and remove it.
15. Remove the shock absorbers and springs holding the tank.
16. Now you can get the tank.

For your information! To more effectively unscrew rusted bolts, use a lubricant, such as WD-40 lubricant.

Getting the tank out of the washing machine is not so easy, we tried to list the main steps in this matter. Removing the tank and drum is described in more detail in the article How to disassemble the tank.

Removing the bearing

Having pulled the tank with the drum out, we proceed to disassemble it and directly remove the bearings. If grease leaks onto the drum cover, this confirms the need to replace the seals and bearings. So, the tank consists of two parts connected to each other. The connection can be adhesive or using bolts. The adhesive joint must be cut carefully. It is easier in this regard to connect with bolts. When the tank is disassembled into two parts, perform the following steps:

1. We unscrew the drum pulley using a special star wrench or using a chisel and hammer.
   

   Let's celebrate! The bolt is quite difficult to unscrew, so you need to have a high-quality tool and act extremely carefully so as not to tear it off.

2. Using loosening movements, remove the pulley from the drum screw; under it there is a bearing.
3. We knock the drum shaft inward, thereby separating the tank and the drum of the washing machine. You can first replace the shaft with an old one so that the original shaft is not damaged by hammer blows. There are bearings on the inside and outside of the drum.
4. When inserting a metal rod under the bearing race, you need to knock it out with a hammer in a circle. You can use a special bearing puller.

A bearing puller allows you to remove it quickly enough without damaging its race. This may be required in cases where the bearing is intact, but the shaft on which it sits is damaged. The shape of the puller can be different, especially since there are a huge number of them on sale. To remove a bearing from a machine drum, you need a puller whose legs are shaped so that, when pulling the bearing together, it would put a load only on the inner race of the bearing; the load on the outer race should be minimal.

Usually the small bearing is removed first, then the large one. The seals are removed in front of the bearings; it is reasonable to change them along with them. That's all, the bearings have been removed, now you can install new components and reassemble the washing machine in the reverse order. When installing new oil seals and bearings, be sure to lubricate them to prevent water from entering. In addition, lubricant will reduce friction between machine parts, which will extend its service life.

Note! When purchasing a new bearing, look at its exact markings, which are applied to the inner race. So you will buy a bearing similar to the old one.

Is it worth changing the bearings?

When the first signs of bearing failure appear, you should immediately think about repairing the machine. Its further use can lead to more serious damage, for example, deformation of the crosspiece, the replacement of which will cost much more. If bearing failure leads to water leakage, the heating element may burn out and the electronics system in this case will have to say goodbye to the machine forever.

When a bearing breaks, you shouldn’t immediately panic and think about spending big on new equipment. Even repairs at a service center will cost no more than $20, and if you do it yourself, it will be several times cheaper. A similar part, along with the seals on washing machines, breaks down quite often. Some experts say that they need to be changed every 5 years or at least lubricated.

So, if the removal process was not entirely clear, watch the video on how to replace a bearing in a washing machine.

1 reader comment

1. 12/31/2018 at 11:50

   Molodechno:

   Super! All clear. Now you can change it.

   Answer