Washing Machine Bearings
Washing machine bearings tend to fail gradually as the front water seal, or bearing seal, wears and starts to allow water into the actual bearings themselves. This water gets into the actual ball race and corrodes the bearing causing it to fail. In most cases this means that the washing machine is noisy long before the washer bearings actually "collapse" as such but, it is vital that they are replaced before they reach this stage to prevent further damage to the drum or support spider.
Your washing machine will almost certainly have a brass phosphorous bush on the drum shaft and this seals to the front bearing seal, it is imperative that there is no damage to this bush. If it is damaged in any way then the likelihood is that replacement bearings will not last more than a few months after being replaced. Please don't try to use anything on this bush to clean it other than a soft cloth as the metal is very soft and liable to become damaged should you use even a very mild sandpaper on it.
If the bearing bush on the drum support spider is damaged then it will require to be replaced.
When replacing washing machine bearings it is advisable that you also replace the tub seal where possible. Since it is such a time consuming and involved repair there is no point going to all the trouble to replacing the washing machine bearings only to find that a seal that costs just a few pounds causes a leak and you have to strip the washing machine down again to replace it. It is rare that professional engineers will not replace this seal as a matter of course when replacing and washing machine or washer dryer bearings.
Drum bearing replacement on most any washing machine or washer dryer will involve a considerable amount of time and skill as the entire washing machine is usually striped down with the whole tub removed. It is not normally a job that we recommend for DIY repairs unless you have a reasonable amount of skill in such repair work. For that reason we have included a link to find a washing machine repair engineer below, on this page.
Washing machine and washer dryer bearings, like many other spares, are subject to low cost, cheap alternative parts some of which are okay and some of which are just absolute rubbish. In particular it is especially important that you get a good bearing seal to prevent water ingress to the bearings themselves. Please do be aware that these cheap sets are out there and there are a lot of traders that don't care, they are only interested in being the cheapest.
There is considerable information on UK Whitegoods about washing machine and washer dryer bearing replacement and links to articles which may help are listed below. Each one will open n a new window or tab so you don't lose this page.
Washing machine and washer dryer fault fnding
Washing machine and washer dryer bearing replacement tutorial and guidance
Basic electrical safety, be safe at all times and remove the power!
Can't Find The Washing Machine Bearings You Need, Not Sure?
Buying spare parts for any washing machine can range from the simplest task in the world to one of the most daunting as you try to pick your way through model numbers, serial numbers, ranges and all sorts of information.
We try to make it as simple as possible for you to buy a washing machine spare part but, sometimes, we know that we all need a little help from the experts.
Below you will find the various ways in which you can get in touch with us about
washing machine bearings and get answers as quickly as possible but do please use our contact page or email as a first resort as this allows us time to look up spare parts for you and find any low cost compatible washing machine spares as well, so you get the best options possible.
 | To get assistance with a technical query for your washing machine then please do use our forums using this link. We will likely not be able to offer any dishwasher technical assistance, advice on what washing machine part is required to repair a fault or fitting instruction by email or by telephone. However, the forums have many washing machine engineers that do read and will normally answer your questions if it is possible to assist. |
 | Contact us using our online spares enquiry form, simply click this link or the icon to be taken to our online contact page for washing machine spares. |
 | To send us an email about your washing machine spares requirements just click this link and your mail client should open a new email for you to send us an email. |
 | Call us during normal office hours Monday through Friday on 0845 172 8002 about washing machine spares. |
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Find one of our approved washing machine engineers, just click here to search |
