Washing machine bearings

[Kram]

Ohh they are feckered! Its currently spinning at 1600rpm and the noise is painful to be in the same room.

I know most are considered disposable machines these days... Anyone know if mine is possible, economical, or easy to replace?
Its a Hotpoint WDD960

 

[JOEPRO]

Hotpoint is unlikely to be replaceable. Worth a check - remove top shelf and look for screws in the plastic tub.

If there are no screws visible on the drum seem then they glued / sealed the drum and bearings are non servicable.

Terrible when manufacturers do that. Criminal even!

 

[hotponyshoes]

No idea about that particular model but it's not been possible on the last 2 I have messed with.

Maybe start by having a look on line and seeing if the bearings are available separately?

 

[bricol]

How old is it?

My old Hotpoint sounded similar I guess - the bearings were fine, but the spider on the back of the drum was mostly gone. Corroded massively, and failed on two of the three arms. Last one broke easily when I pulled it apart.

 

[Kram]

Appears to be a split, screw assembled outer drum, but having never worked on a washing machine I have to ask why that matters?

They list a kit here as £18

https://www.hotpoint.co.uk/spare-parts/bom/wdd960puk-94547420100

Looks like an awful job to do if being honest...

 

[Keith 66]

Hotpoint = garbage these days, throw it away.

 

[Bornfree]

The problem is the housing the bearings fit into. Normally alloy and it corrodes badly.

 

[JOEPRO]

Hotpoint = garbage these days, throw it away.

Yes real shame the brand has become the JLR of washing machines

 

[DanZac]

Appears to be a split, screw assembled outer drum, but having never worked on a washing machine I have to ask why that matters?

On most modern machines they seem to fit the bearings then bond the drum on around them, making it impossible to subsequently replace the bearings.

As @JOEPRO has pointed out this makes the machine unrepairable and you end up having to buy a new one instead of being able to replace a couple of bearings!

 

[Keithmac]

Sealed drum saw our last Washing machine off, the bearings were unservicable.

So a new washer at £500 vs £20 in bearings.

If you can split the drum it's not a bad job to replace them.

 

[Kram]

On most modern machines they seem to fit the bearings then bond the drum on around them, making it impossible to subsequently replace the bearings.

Do you mean the outer drum is bonded around the inner drum so that it can not be pulled out?

 

[jo1010]

AI says....

 

[DanZac]

Do you mean the outer drum is bonded around the inner drum so that it can not be pulled out?

Yes.

Why didn't I just say that.

 

[JOEPRO]

AI says....
View attachment 540857

AI is not always right! I had hotpoints before where I could buy the bearing kit but the drum was sealed.

I a twist of fate, I happened to take out extended warranty cover through Hotpoint and they had to fit a whole new drum

 

[charliecambs]

AI is not always right! I had hotpoints before where I could buy the bearing kit but the drum was sealed.

I a twist of fate, I happened to take out extended warranty cover through Hotpoint and they had to fit a whole new drum

I did one 2 years ago. The outer drum was I think ultrasonically welded so theoretically couldn't be split to get inner drum out. As far as I remember bearings and seal had to be knocked out from outside.
My one was the same moulding as a screwed together one so I pre drilled through those for 5/6mm bolts then cut round the obvious joint with fine blade recip saw, replaced bearings and seal [shaft and spider were ok)
Silicone sealer bolts and it worked fine.
This one was well out of warranty and was a spare to be used for animal bedding. So cheap attempt at repair worthwhile.

 

[dobbslc]

Terrible when manufacturers do that. Criminal even!

But good for the environment eh?

 

[Domdom]

Interesting information, but the most boring narrator on the planet.

 

[cheb]

I did the bearings on my machine recently. It's a daunting job but not actually that difficult

 

[mr haynes]

If bearings are replaceable, consider that the manufacturer's repair kit will likely include the same cheap lower quality bearings