How to change a bearing in an Indesit washing machine
Sooner or later, many people have to ask themselves how to replace a bearing in an Indesit automatic washing machine, as this problem is considered quite serious and can lead to permanent damage to the machine. If you're not particularly familiar with appliances, you shouldn't attempt this type of work; nothing good will come of it. However, if you've ever repaired various appliances yourself, it's worth trying to replace the bearings yourself, strictly following the professional instructions.
Preparing for repairs
The process of replacing the bearing in an Indesit automatic washing machine requires some preparation. First of all, You need to purchase original bearings and seals for your Indesit washing machine.Firstly, when you buy original washing machine parts, you're guaranteed to get the job done. Secondly, if you replace the bearings, you need to replace the seals as well, as in most cases, bearing failure is caused by faulty seals—one failure leads to another.
Continuing the process of preparing to repair your Indesit washing machine, you need to select the right tools. Incidentally, no special tools are needed; any good homeowner will have similar tools in their pantry. You'll need:
- two Phillips screwdrivers, one with a long shaft, the other with a short one;
- small hammer;
- wooden block;
- set of open-end wrenches and sockets;
- Allen key;
- WD-40 liquid;
- pliers.
Let's put the tools and components aside for now and start preparing the work area. You should not work in a confined space; there should be enough free space to comfortably place the machine with all the parts removed from it. Lay out the removed parts so you don't lose anything—not a single fastener, contact, or wire. Once the area is prepared, you can begin the repair.
We carry out repairs: step-by-step instructions
First, you need to properly remove the front and back panels of your Indesit washing machine without damaging any of the rubber seals. First, remove the top cover of the Indesit washing machine by unscrewing a few bolts. After that, removing the back panel is easy—just unscrew a few fasteners—but removing the front panel is more difficult. How do you remove it correctly?
- First, remove the washing machine's detergent drawer by pulling it towards you until it stops, then lifting it up and pulling it out.
- We find and unscrew the fasteners that hold the front panel.
- Now we have access to all the screws holding the front wall of the washing machine, unscrew them.
- We remove the rubber cuff, then remove the bolts holding the door locking element and dismantle the front wall of the washing machine.
So, we've gained access to the "insides" of the Indesit machine. Now we can easily replace the seals and bearings. First, we need to remove the belts from the drum pulley and motor drive. Then, securely hold the pulley in place by inserting a wooden block into it and unscrewing the main fastener that holds the drum pulley in place.
The next step is crucial: carefully remove the drum pulley. It's firmly attached to the axle along with the drum, and attempting to pry it off with tools can easily damage it. If the drum pulley is successfully removed, you can begin removing the spacer bar. Next, unscrew the fasteners for all counterweights and carefully remove them.
Disconnect all wires from the washing machine's electrical components and then unscrew the fasteners that secure the drum's rotating assembly. The screws will likely be rusty and stuck to the metal, so spray them with WD-40 before removing them.
Important! If the screws are difficult to remove even after applying lubricant, do not apply excessive force, otherwise you will strip the heads. It's better to gently heat them with a blowtorch, then let them cool before removing them.
We now move on to the next crucial step: disassembling the drum and replacing damaged parts. This requires following a strict procedure.
- We remove the clamps that hold the tank lid.
- Carefully remove the seals and the lid covering the tank.
- We take out the drum together with the moving unit where the bearings are located.
- We check the gasket on which the moving unit lies; if the rubber is damaged, then it is necessary to throw away the old gasket and replace it with a new one.
- We load the moving part and the remaining drum into the truck and take it to the nearest auto repair shop, where we ask mechanics to press out the bearings. This work could be done independently, but it's very risky, as it requires skills and equipment we don't have.
- We install new bearings and seals, and then reassemble the Indesit washing machine in reverse order.
By the way, there are many good videos about assembling and disassembling a washing machine. And if you're interested in information about replacing bearings in washing machines of other brands, this will help you. This article.
Mistakes made when replacing
In this section, we've outlined expert warnings regarding all stages of Indesit washing machine repair. Some mistakes are easy to fix, while others are prohibitively expensive and require replacing entire components of the machine. What are the common mistakes our DIYers make, and how can they be avoided?
- They break the pulley trying to pull it off the drum axle. Removing the pulley requires skill; force won't help; it could only cause damage. Try rocking it from side to side while pulling. But never hammer on the axle.
- The heads of the fasteners are stripped. If one of the bolts fails to withstand your force and breaks, it's not a fatal mistake on your part, but it will require additional effort. You'll need to drill out the stripped bolts and then re-thread the mounting holes.
- The temperature sensor breaks, including its wire being torn. There's only one solution to this problem: be careful with the tank cap. Otherwise, you'll have to buy a new temperature sensor.
- Damage to the moving part during a makeshift press. In this case, we already advised taking it to a car repair shop, as this job is 10 times more difficult to do with improvised means.
- Forgetting to replace the gasket that supports the sliding assembly. A technician's inattention to the rubber gasket could result in repeated repairs to the sliding assembly.
Important! Before installing the back and front panels of your Indesit washing machine, remember to connect all sensors and electrical components. It would be a shame to have to disassemble the machine again because of one loose wire.
Signs of bearing failure
Disassembling and assembling an Indesit washing machine is a rather labor-intensive and time-consuming process. Therefore, no one would attempt this work themselves unless absolutely necessary. How can you be sure that the machine's bearing really needs replacing without having to open the machine? In this case, blind diagnostic techniques can help. What should you do?
- First, we need to get the drum to spin at maximum speed. To do this, set the appropriate spin mode (for example, 1000 rpm) and listen carefully to the sounds the machine makes – the bearing will give itself away.
- Next, you need to make sure it's really the bearing. To do this, unplug the machine, remove the items from the drum, and try turning it with your finger, first one way and then the other. You'll hear a knocking or metallic grinding sound—another indirect clue that the bearing is broken.
- Regularly check the area underneath your Indesit washing machine for moisture. If puddles regularly appear, the problem may lie in the drum's moving element.
In conclusion, it's worth noting that anyone familiar with appliances can replace the bearing in an Indesit washing machine. The key is to avoid any DIY efforts and strictly follow the instructions, and everything will likely be successful. If any step remains unclear, you can watch a video on the topic, which illustrates the bearing replacement in more detail.
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10 reader comments
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Thank you, very useful video
Great video
Everything is fine, except the author forgot (perhaps intentionally!) that screws can have left-hand threads! For example, on the W 84 TX model!
How do I disassemble the lid of an Indesit top-loading dishwasher? Thanks in advance!
Thank you, everything is very clear.
How do you press a bearing out of a crosspiece?
Well done, thank you.
I liked it.
Nothing! The main questions aren't covered, like how to press out bearings and install them. And even a child can remove the covers.
Thanks, I'll try to repair it myself, if it doesn't work, I'll buy a new one... what do we have to lose?
Cool, thank you!