Dismantling washing machine

E

endecotp

Joined
2 Dec 2013
Messages
3,962
Reaction score
510
Country
United Kingdom
Dear Experts,

I am dismantling my washing machine for the first time, to replace the bearings. (See: https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/hoover-hnf-7167-washer-flashing-light-code.575646/ ).

I’ve reached the point where everything is detached from the tub - except I can’t remove the weights. There is one weight on the top and one on the front. I’ve removed the bolts from the one on the top but it won’t budge; I think it may need a gentle pry or tap. For the one on the front I’m not really sure where to start; I suppose it might be possible to get at the bolts with a socket spanner of just the right size past the door seal, or from underneath if I lifted it up.

So I’m wondering if I’m supposed to try and lift the tub out with the weights attached. I don’t actually know how heavy they are, but I’m imagining a procedure like removing an engine from a car with a winch….

Has anyone ever removed the tub from a washing machine with the weights attached?

Thanks, Phil.
 
What a saga.

I found another “how to” video that confirms that the tub lifts out with the front weight attached, which I did.

Now I find that the replacement bearings that I have obtained are the wrong size. And in any case, I’ve failed so far to remove the old bearings. (If anyone has any tips for removing washing machine bearings, do please share.)
 
Drum bearings these days, tend to be permanent/none replaceable. Bearing failure means time to replace the entire drum.
 
It’s not a “sealed drum” and there are videos showing very similar models being dismantled. They whack the bearings with a cold chisel, drift, or similar and eventually they come out.

 
When I replaced the bearing on my LG, I sprayed the bearings in situ with an unhealthy amount of GT85 and left it outside overnight, making sure I aimed for the space between the bearing and the drum. The next day, a hammer and a thick drift made easy work of removing the bearings.
 
A bit off-topic, but I have just scrounged a SS washer drum (well a dryer one) to make myself a garden incinerator. They are the almost perfect source to make one from, not rusting and with plenty of air holes. You just need to bolt on three metal legs, to raise them off the ground and you have a long lasting incinerator. I have bought galv bins made for the job and 50 gallon drums - they all quite rapidly turn to rust.
 
Yes, since I now have a pile of useless bits of old washing machine spread around the kitchen floor and the front garden I have been considering how intact it needs to be for the council to take it away - I can imagine them complaining if one of the concrete weights drops out the bottom as they lift it onto the truck.

"Firepit" has been suggested for the drum, and "water feature" for the tub (and pump?!). Must... resist... hoarding... urge....
 
endecotp said:
Yes, since I now have a pile of useless bits of old washing machine spread around the kitchen floor and the front garden I have been considering how intact it needs to be for the council to take it away - I can imagine them complaining if one of the concrete weights drops out the bottom as they lift it onto the truck.
Click to expand...

Our council charge £20 per three items, per collection. I suspect they would charge three bits of one washer as the three items.
 
I used a drift bolt ( not sure if it’s correct name) , designed for removing car suspension bushes , to get rusty bearing out . Hammering can cause damage which may prevent replacement.
 
Funny story about getting the council to take things away. I had an old Candy fridge freezer that was effectively a stand alone fridge bolted on top of a stand alone freezer (best I have ever had, you could switch off one without the other.) The charge to take it away back then was £20. To help them out, I split the two and told them what I had done when they arrived. "Thats two items which will be £40" I was informed. I had left them stacked luckily and still had the stacking hardware so while they stood there, I got a spanner and re-attached the fridge to the freezer after which they took it away and charged me £20. :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top