[Closed] Calling All Washing Machine Engineers!

As I found out recently, some manufactures now make bearings that are non-replaceable, you have to buy the whole drum. If you can DIY replace just the bearings, (there are good YouTube guides available) then probably worth it, otherwise I'd say not.

edit - my second thought is not to get an integrated replacement, I'm of the view they're more trouble than the sleek look kitchen is worth.

Good point.  Perhaps a engineer might now without the expense of them taking it apart to find out.

And that's fair but I am loathed to lose the look in the kitchen - its the only bloody room that's finished how we want it!

If you're lucky enough to be in Lancashire, call Simon at Belec in Bury.

You can get a Haynes washing machine repair manual if you fancy a crack at it yourself; changing drum bearings can't be any harder than butchering out the bearings in a Hope hub, something I used to have to do annually.

Most engineers will want a hefty call out fee just to diagnose the problem before you find out it's beyond economical repair. Have a good look on the likes of espares. If bearings are available at least you'll know it's possible and if they aren't listed send them an e-mail to enquire, they've been pretty responsive to me in the past.

I just remembered, last time I was in this position, I found a fixed fee repairer who did anything for a set cost, including the parts. Can't remember what they were called, but it looks like Curry's offer a similar service.

I am sure this is a niggle that probably doesn't belong here, by to my mind referring a washing machine repair man as an engineer is like calling a scaffolder an astronaut.

Jef (not an Engineer, or astronaut)

It's a fair point Jef. As well as being Singletracks go-to washing machine expert, (this lunch time at least) I'm also a bonafide Mechanical Engineer. There's plenty in my profession who'd very much agree with you.

Jef (not an Engineer, or astronaut)

Are you a Scaffolder then?

Sounds like the bearings are shot.  I've had this in the past.  Some machines have easily replaced bearings, others have the bearings molded into the tub in which case you'll have to replace the whole lot.  Google for a spare parts list if there's isn't a bearing replacement kit (probably bearing and seals) then it's probably new machine time.

Actual Engineer BTW, but I don't fix washing machines...

Engineers For The Win!, (even ones who don't read the previous posts 😉 )

Bearings usually make a whining noise long before they become unstable in use, as your drum was/is bouncing around i'd be having a look at the stabilisation dampers attached to the drum.

Not a scaffolder either. I am a pump and pump system repair man.

have a look at local heros. no fix no fee if they say they'll come out.

Mine died last year, I had a guy look at it (£40) to confirm. I then took it apart and sold some of the bits for £50 odd and recycled the rest.

Interesting to see how it goes together - and not at all difficult to take apart. I'd have a look and see what's gone before calling anyone.

I replaced integrated with std - the kitchen is white and it saved a lot of £ and possibly gained reliability.

Have a look at http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/forumsphpbb3/washing-machine-forum.html for more clues on whether it's likely to be repairable

Is it LG? There's an aluminium spider at the back of the drum which can fracture if the machine is overloaded. It's replaceable but you'd need to be a reasonably competent DIYer.

Cost is approx £40. Could be that other manufacturers license or have a similar setup.

Check around under the machine for fine black dust. Samsung’s have a habit of eating the rubber motor mounts, then eating the drive belt. Make a sound like a knackered bearing, but is just the motor thrashing about.

They do a replacement mount kit with nylon bushes.

Not spinning could also be a broken wire, especially if it's a bit rough,  worth getting under or behind it,  if you can see, you never know might be doable for a little while.  Good luck.

Possible the concrete weights are loose ... open it up and check they’re bolted down.

If it’s vibrating too much it won’t spin.

I’ve just had the same with a £599 29month old Bosch machine. 5 months out of warranty and the bearings are rumbling. Completely sealed drum sold as a replacement unit at £258 plus £99 for them to fit.  Except it’s going to need almost of the inside removed to do it as it is the largest single component!  That normally (in my experience) means something will leak once it’s back together.  I think £300ish is the max to spend from now on, for a new one...  I’m pursuing the route of ‘even though it’s out of warranty, this isn’t fit for purpose’ to see what can be done.  The machine hasn’t had a hard life.

(Control Systems Engineer)

^dito, but more a cat-upsetting graunching sound. Binned and a Beko purchased for just over £200, which is now in its fifth year.

<awaits Miele crew arrival>

Washing machines are hateful things to work on! All the metalwork is pressed meaning one edge usually has a nice rough edge to open you up with.

They're reasonably simple to get apart though. I had one with a leaking outer drum (20p piece had got jammed between the rotating and fixed drum and punched a hole in it. Was able to buy the half section of outer drum much cheaper than replacing the whole machine. I've done bearings in them and it was a hateful job though.

If it's the block that has come loose, be thankful it won't spin.

Our old washing machine tried to eject parts of the block, (alien birth style) through the front of the machine.

Thanks All.  I'll get the model number and look up parts availability and go from there.  In a former life I used to run a large electrical store for a high st brand and Bosch was always upsold based on reliability, so Ripley's post is pushing me to cheap n cheerful as a replacement.

Open the door, reach in, try to spin the drum by hand:

Does it spin smoothly and silently?  Or does it feel notchy and difficult to turn?

Now grab the drum towards the front, close to the door where the flexi rubber seal sits, and try to rock the drum around sideways and back and forth:

Can you feel any "play"? the drum will move around inside the machine as it sits on springs and dampers, but should be silent and smooth as it does. Free play, knocks, clanks or anything like that suggests knackered mountings

Google the make/model and see if you can get bearings on ebay for it.  if you can buy the bearings, then chances are they are replaceable without the entire drum being required.

Pull the machine out, and take a look in the back, for loose wires, loose mountings, shredded drive belts etc  Check for signs of overheating, shorting, chaffed cables, loose or split pipes etc  These machines are really very simple and most faults are generally blatantly obvious!

So - a minor update with my machine bearing woes.  Bit of persuasion has meant that I'm getting all parts necessary for a repair for free as long as I pay for the call out for £99.  It's cheaper than a new machine, so I'll take that!