How to install the oil seal on a washing machine

How to install the oil seal on a washing machine Why is there a seal in the washing machine? Thanks to this element, water from the drum cavity is prevented from entering the bearings. Diagnostics of an element and, if necessary, its replacement are quite labor-intensive procedures that require good dexterity and knowledge in the field of design of an automatic machine. You can install the seal in the washing machine yourself, but before doing this you need to carefully study the instructions for action and the main problem in disassembling the unit.

What is the seal used for?

The role of this element cannot be underestimated; it acts as a kind of seal between the drum and the shaft. The oil seal prevents liquid from entering the washer shaft and bearings. The part looks very simple - it is a rubber ring with a certain diameter.

Manufacturers of washing equipment use oil seals of various sizes when equipping machines; the diameter of the ring depends on the specific model of the washing machine and on the design features of the unit’s tank. Therefore, before purchasing an element, it is recommended to disassemble the machine, remove it from the body, this will allow you to understand what diameter oil seal you need for installation.

What and how to lubricate the seal?

The oil seal, due to its location in the system and its role, is constantly exposed to friction and temperature changes. This effect is negative for the seal; after long use, cracks may appear on the rubber, this will undoubtedly lead to loss of function of the part. That is why the oil seal should be protected in a timely manner, namely by lubricating its surface. Periodic use of special lubricants will significantly extend the service life of the element.

How to lubricate the ring? When choosing a suitable composition, be sure to carefully study its properties. A high-quality lubricant must meet certain requirements.

Be moisture resistant. It must contain organic particles characterized by a water-repellent effect.
Have good heat resistance. The side of the seal adjacent to the drum will overheat during friction, so it is very important that the lubricant does not lose its properties after heating.
Do not have aggressive components: chlorine and other elements that can damage or destroy the surface of the ring.
Have a thick consistency. This is necessary for dense coverage of the rubber seal and the oil seal bushing. Bearings can also be processed.

Answering the question from users: “How to lubricate a part?”, we will present several options for lubricants for washing machines.

Oil seal lubricant in the HYDRA-2 syringe from an Italian manufacturer has an operating temperature from -18°C to +190°C, extending the life of the part to 10 years. Characterized by anti-corrosion and water-repellent properties. Average cost – 150 rubles.
O-ring lubricant HYDRA-2, 50 g, in tube. Similar to the previous substance, it only has a different release form. The price for a tube of the stated volume is about 420 rubles.
Waterproof lubricant SKL EBI Characterized by a use temperature of up to 140°C, the average cost of a package weighing 50g. – 3 $.
Waterproof lithium grease SKL EBI398 is suitable for processing seals and bearings of washing machines. Operating temperature from -30°C to +120°C.It has a thick consistency, does not contain aggressive substances, and has excellent moisture resistance. The average price is $4 per tube.

The lubricants indicated in this list have excellent characteristics, tested and recommended by professionals.

Timely treatment of the oil seal will increase the service life of not only the seal, but also the bearings of the washing machine.

How do you know when it’s time to change the seal?

Several signs may indicate that the oil seal has failed. First of all, during the washing process you will hear an uncharacteristic noise, an unpleasant grinding sound. In addition, the inoperability of the part is indicated by:

vibration of the machine and an incomprehensible knocking sound coming from inside;
drum play, you can check it yourself; after finishing washing, rotate the drum manually;
When the drum stops rotating, it stops spinning completely.

Having noticed at least one of the described signs, it is better to immediately examine the condition of the oil seal. If you ignore the symptoms and continue to use the machine, the likelihood that the bearings will completely fail will be almost one hundred percent.

Work progress

To install a new oil seal, you will have to completely disassemble the washing machine. To do this, you will need a standard set of tools found in every home. The parsing algorithm includes the following steps:

disconnect the top cover from the housing; to do this, unscrew the bolts holding it located on the rear wall of the unit;
unscrew the bolts located around the perimeter of the rear part of the case and carefully remove the back wall;
tighten the drive belt, the procedure is easiest to perform by rotating the shaft with your free hand;
remove the cuff surrounding the hatch door; to do this, disconnect the metal ring holding the rubber seal;
disconnect the wires from the heating element and the electric motor, not forgetting to disconnect the ground;
remove all hoses and pipes attached to the tank;
separate the water intake level sensor;
remove the shock absorbers and springs supporting the drum;
remove the counterweights located inside the housing;
remove the motor of the machine, to do this, unscrew the mounting bolts and move the engine forward;
remove the tank with the drum from the machine;
open the tank body, gaining access to the drum, using a hexagon, unscrew the pulley.

unscrew the pulley

After disassembling, you will gain access to the oil seal, bushing, and bearings. Removing the O-ring is very simple; just pry it off with a screwdriver. Next, you need to inspect the system elements; if replacement is necessary, install a new oil seal. To do this, it is advisable to well lubricate not only the installed parts, but also the seat.

where is the seal installed

It is important to install the removed ring correctly. The question may arise, which side should the oil seal be placed on? This issue is really important, so inspect the seal carefully. If there are no factory marks on it, install it so that it most tightly covers the niche in which the moving elements of the bearing are located. Water should not get inside.

Should I use silicone sealant in my work? It will come in handy in cases where the washer tank was non-separable and had to be cut to gain access to the seal and bearings. Sealing and re-gluing the tank will be a necessary measure during the subsequent assembly of the machine.