How to remove a washing machine pulley bolt

During repairs, it's often necessary to remove the pulley bolt on a washing machine. For example, when replacing bearings and seals. The pulley is mounted on the drum bushing and connected to the washing machine's electric motor via a drive belt.

Removing the pulley mounting bolt is usually straightforward. However, in some cases, the task can be complicated by wear, rust, or a stripped sprocket. Let's look at how to remove the drum wheel on washing machines of different brands.

We unscrew the bolts of various machines

So, if the "star" of the screw that secures the pulley is not deformed, then the work ahead will be dust-free. You need to take a wrench that matches the size of the bolt, put the tool on the head and unscrew the fastener from right to left. An important clarification is that you need to support the “wheel” so that it does not rotate during the process.

Machines of different brands have different pulley mounting bolts. For example, Samsung washing machines use a standard hex-head bolt. This can be removed with an open-end wrench of the appropriate size.

You need to unscrew the washing machine pulley bolt carefully so as not to damage the head of the fastener.

The pulley of Indesit and Candy washing machines is secured with a bolt, which requires a star wrench to remove. This is where the edges are most easily stripped. Therefore, remove the bolt carefully. If the head is stripped, you'll have to resort to an emergency screw removal method.

The bolt head can become rusty—this happens when moisture gets into the bushing. Inexperienced mechanics in this situation tend to apply more force and apply more pressure to the wrench to remove the fastener. This often results in the star-shaped gear being stripped, complicating the work. In this case, an emergency removal method will also be necessary.

I can't unscrew the screw.

It is much more difficult to deal with a damaged sprocket - the key simply has nothing to latch onto. If the head is rusty, then before handling the key, generously treat it with cleaner WD-40. Then wait 15-20 minutes for the product to take effect.

Next, arm yourself with a hammer and chisel. Carefully try to make a notch on the bolt head. A notch about 1-1.5 millimeters deep should be enough.

Next, insert a chisel into the notch. Using a hammer, try to loosen the bolt head. It doesn't matter which way you turn the screw, as long as it starts moving.

If a chisel isn't working, you can try cutting off part of the bolt head. Then, you can secure the head with an adjustable wrench. This option is quite labor-intensive.

Some experts recommend heating the deformed bolt with a gas torch before tightening it. Not the entire bolt, but just the head. However, this method is ineffective and rarely works. Therefore, it's best to carefully work with a hammer and chisel.

The bolt is gone, but the pulley still can't be removed.

Sometimes, during repairs, you may discover that the pulley is firmly welded to the hub, and neither a hammer nor a chisel can remove it. This can be caused by rust forming inside, or by the drum wheel itself losing its shape. In this case, even after removing the bolt, the assembly cannot be disassembled. What should you do?

WD-40 aerosol product helps remove scale and rust.

To remove the pulley from the shaft, you will need:

• treat the connection area with WD-40 cleaner;
• wait 15 minutes;
• ask someone to hold the drum;
• Grab the pulley with both hands and start to rock the wheel.

It's unlikely that you'll be able to remove the element on the first try. You'll need to spray the joint with WD-40 several times. Wait 10-15 minutes after each spray. Eventually, the pulley should come off the hub.

If even this fails to remove the pulley, the only option is to knock it out. It's important not to use metal tools, as this increases the risk of permanently damaging the bushing and further complicating the situation with a broken shaft. A shovel handle or similar wooden block is ideal.

The handle needs to be sharpened on one side. The sharpened end is placed in the center of the pulley. Then, take a hammer and begin hitting the wood. The blows should be sharp and forceful. Eventually, the bushing will pop out, but this type of work requires a lot of patience and time.

It's important to prepare the pulley seat before reinstalling it. Treat the shaft with WD-40, clean, and lubricate the bushing threads. If the bolt has been deformed, it must be replaced. Otherwise, in a year or two, you'll have to deal with the difficult task of removing the damaged head again.

   

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