Washing machine welded drums why you can’t change the bearings

by / Tuesday, 05 May 2015 / Published in Drum & Bearings, Repair Guides, Washing machines

Why can't you change the bearings in most washing machines any more!! 

Customer´s

 

 

Paul answers

 

Hi All

I have been doing repairs for 30 years and I think it is disgusting that the manufactures do this on a lot of washing machines , there is no saving on the way that they make the drums like this, and there is only a few bolts that saves them few pennies. We are meant to be caring about the environment but now most of the manufactures are doing these welded drums to build in obsolesce. Washing Machines should be able to be repaired, where possible affordably.
I would advise all our customers and viewers to make sure, when buying a new washing machine that they ask the sales man/woman (is the drum welded or can I change the drum bearings) and If not, find one that can be done. Avoid all manufactures that build machines like this as they are deliberately building them this way so that they only last so many cycles, and there for guarantee that the washing machine will only last so many years before you have to buy a new one.

 

 Even the people at Which? Magazine say this: To see their article click here

Which? magazine reliability expert Matt Stevens says: 'It’s madness that consumers are faced with repairs costing as much as a new machine. Manufacturers need to make machines that can be repaired cheaply and easily and need to share all of the information they hold about how to repair their machines with independent repair specialists.

 

Please will all readers of this article leave your opinion, however blunt, below including the make of the machine and Use the share button below to expose this information to friends and family.

 Just maybe one of the manufactures will listen to sense.

A welded Washing Machine Drum

welded drum

To replace this Starts at £140 to £400 Plus!!!

 

A Non Welded Washing Machine Drum

drum that splits with screws

To replace the bearings and seals start from £10 to about £50 Affordable!!

 

With smooth production like this, Why do the manufactures of all machines need to weld the drums?

Some things you can do with a washing machine drum when the bearings are gone.

1 they make great flower pots.
2 clothes line pole holder with wheels.
3 shop lights.
4 flood lights.
5 out side display lights with plants.
6 fire pits. to keep you warm.
7 Gas bbq racks with volcanic rock,
8 complete BBQ
9 log store.
10 Bar Table.
and my favorite small wind turbine

Some things you can do with a washing machine drum when the bearings are gone.




193 Responses to “Washing machine welded drums why you can’t change the bearings”

  1. Antony says : Reply

    So, what UK machines have non-welded drums that are reasonably priced? The replacement drum that I got off ebay for my current Hotpoint is going again after 3 years, it makes a right noise when spinning.

  2. RogerH says : Reply

    4 year old Hotpoint WMFUG942PUK.
    after long search i found that no bearings are available (because it’s a sealed drum). suddenly the parts diagram makes sense.
    new drum assembly is £155
    is it worth it, or should get a new washer?

  3. Stephen says : Reply

    I found a company making washing machines in the UK. They don’t make machines with non serviceable drums. No welded split tubs/drums. I just purchased a new machine from a company called EBAC. Won’t bother with BOSCH ever again! Best off buying British.

  4. Nick S says : Reply

    I sawed open the sealed drum on my Hotpoint WMXTF 942 Extra washing machine and replaced the bearings which are 6207-2RS and 6206-2RS and the seal which is 40 x 72 x 10 – R23 – NBR. Before cutting open the drum I drilled a series of 4mm holes around the welded flange and could then use M4 x 20 pan head set screws with nyloc nuts to reconnect each half of the drum using lead and gutter sealant between the flanges. Cost of parts about £40.

  5. Michael Maylor says : Reply

    Oh. yes sealed drums! After carefully hacksawing apart, the bearings are probably different from the kits advertised and need to be measured and ordered from a bearing supplier. Clamping alignment holes need to be drilled in the casing before splitting. A good sealant is required as no rubber o-ring is possible….

  6. mark says : Reply

    sawing a drum in half did not work for me as I have done it, The problem is that although you can replace the bearing once the drum is cut in half , and you apply the glue and bolt the two half’s back together and if you are successful with no leaks like mine, that does not guarantee that its fixed ,the problem lies in the pressure system. In a normal washing machine the water fills in the drum, this in turn forces pressure up a tube to the pressure switch which turns off the water valve, but if you have a air leak somewhere around the drum then the water will keep on filling the drum. But even if you only have a very small air leak then the switch will turn water off but wont start wash as air is still escaping slowly, and when a certain amount of air has escaped the water inlet valve will be switched on again forcing too much water into the drum. That was my experience ”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””’

  7. James says : Reply

    2 year old Bosch model WAB24161GB/13 bearings gone and discovered it had a sealed drum so can’t replace the bearings which cost €20, instead new welded drum replacement cost €240. This is my third Bosch to break within a 3 years timeframe. I have now purchased a hotpoint 8kg machine for €390. The Brushless motor is really quiet and it cost €100 less than Bosch. I’m totally done with Bosch, it’s just a brand name but the quality is not there. Beware.

  8. Ivor Mac says : Reply

    Hi
    Having read about sealed drums, does anyone know if the Zanussi ZWF14080W has a sealed drum?

    Thanks for your time.

  9. Jago Krusel says : Reply

    Bearings on many sealed drum washers can be replaced. The service or DIY equivalent would amount to drum refurbishment rather than washing machine repair. Warranty and insurance would be the concern for a commercial repair service.
    The failure could easily be avoided if manufacturers used something along the lines of an auto motive wheel hub bearing.
    In a machine I repaired I noticed a rear wheel hub bearing from a popular car could have easily been used by designers. Subject to the fitting of an appropriate sleeve a single bearing at marginal additional cost would replace both inner and outer bearings and last 20+ years. In that instance The bearings fitted by default did not meet the max rpm of the machine.
    Sadly in the UK class actions don’t exist.
    Notably some manufacturers like Miele no pressure test their designs for the equivalent of 20 years use.
    I realise some companies like EBac offer serviceable drums at huge additional expense but I personally would prefer a machine that’s designed to last.

    Sealed drums aren’t an appalling idea if the design is good. The merit is to prevent a potential failure point via leaking seals or bolts loosening or corroding.
    When refurbishing a drum plastic welding or solvent welding (depending on materials) are a good option.

    Washers aren’t terribly complex in technological terms,

  10. Keith T says : Reply

    I’ve had several Hotpoint machines and generally we give them a good “whooping”!
    The bearing usually goes at about 5 years and I don’t have the mech skills to deal with it. Shopping around over the internet has let us just replace the machines for little more than the cost of an engineer replacing anything. Worth considering…..

  11. Jan Thackery says : Reply

    Bought LG Inverter Direct Drive 8kg machine. Every time you pull it out, however carefully, the door catch seems to stop working. Know from experience that they make you video a procedure before agreeing to make you pay £90 upfront for someone to come out, and nobody else can access the parts required to repair. Just about to move house and the wretched thing made a grinding noise and wouldn’t empty. Flooded kitchen later, filter cleaned and mopped up, the wretched door catch won’t hold again. Not prepared to throw any more money at it and won’t be buying LG again! Will look at the recommended EBAC make. Thanks for the advice.

  12. Chris says : Reply

    I believe it’s called planned obsolescence and is present in almost all modern day products. Shame on the greedy men who make this bs schemes. Back in the day things were made to last, but you can’t sell more products if they fail apparently. I disassembled our washing machine thinking I could do a deep clean because of the smell, only to find the thole thing is sealed…Now I’m going to try my luck with cutting it open and then resealing it with PU and bolts.

  13. David says : Reply

    Hotpoint WMD960P UK. Bought a bearing kit, only to find it has a welded drum. WE, the middle classes are being blamed for mass consumerism. I think manufacturers ought to be forced to make sustainable, I.e. repairable products, not landfill. Utterly disgusting and shameful. It is entirely their fault, not ours.

24h technical help answers

Leave a Reply to Antony

TOP