How should a washing machine drum spin by hand?

The rotation of a washing machine drum is one of the appliance's primary functions, ensuring that the laundry inside is kept clean. Therefore, its movement should be unimpeded, and the laundry itself should move easily and smoothly. The drum should also rotate freely when turned manually when the machine is not in operation. A disruption in this process may indicate a breakdown or impending failure of other components.

How hard does a working drum rotate?

You can determine the condition of your washing machine and the bearings that drive the drum by rotating the metal drum by hand. To do this, while the appliance is not working, open the door and use two fingers to rotate the drum. You need to twist it with two fingers, as close as possible to the rubber cuff located near the door.

The drum should spin freely by hand in machines equipped with an inverter motor, and with moderate effort in belt-driven machines. Inverter washing machines may also make a slight humming sound.

If the drum does not budge when rotating or significant force is required to move it, it is worth considering a more thorough inspection of the bearings.

When testing, pay attention to the sounds the drum makes. A slight hum, typical of more modern appliances, is normal. The following should raise alarm:

• loud noise;
• metallic clang;
• creak;
• grinding.

Another important factor is the rotation amplitude. A properly functioning washing machine rotates evenly, without any sudden movements. During rotation, the metal doesn't catch on anything, and the drum doesn't stop or jam. If such phenomena are present, additional tests should be performed to inspect the condition of the internal components, and the machine should be temporarily discontinued.

Malfunctions that can be checked by rotating the drum

A washing machine repair technician can determine which component is faulty or about to fail simply by the drum's rotation. By rotating the drum clockwise and counterclockwise and rocking it from side to side, the technician can determine the presence of foreign objects between the drum and the tub, corrosion of the heating element, and other malfunctions. After all, if an object gets stuck in the drum's openings and jams its rotation, the heating element will simply burn out.

If such a situation occurs while the washing machine is running, it can, at best, result in a short circuit; at worst, it can cause a fire. However, jamming most often occurs during the spin cycle, when the heating element has already stopped working, so such dangerous consequences are rare. Therefore, home appliance owners limit themselves to partially disassembling the appliance to replace the heating element and remove the foreign object from the drum.

By spinning the drum, you can also assess the condition of the bearings. However, to ensure accurate test results, a few more steps are required. For example, you need to remove the back panel of the washing machine and visually inspect the back of the drum. Pay particular attention to the area of ​​the nut securing the pulley. The wall of the tank near the nut, under the pulley, should not have rusty or oily streaks. If such phenomena are present, the integrity of the seal and the bearings themselves should be assessed.

It's best to entrust this procedure to a specialist. If necessary, they will immediately replace parts whose service life has expired. Keep in mind that such maintenance is expensive, and if inspection reveals that the bushing is also damaged, the repair costs will increase several times over.

Rotating the drum allows you to determine whether the drive belt is properly positioned. A slipped belt is indicated by the lack of even the slightest force to move the drum. Therefore, it's not a good idea to neglect this simple test to assess the operating condition of your washing machine: if you have any doubts about the drum rotating properly and easily, it's better to err on the side of caution and call a specialist. Or, if you have the necessary knowledge and skills, conduct a more thorough inspection yourself.

   

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