To dampen vibrations in the machine's body, which are felt when the drum rotates at high speeds, the machine is equipped with shock absorbers. Some models are equipped with dampers, which perform the same function. Shock absorbers are generally reliable and rarely break. If a breakdown does occur and your Bosch washing machine's shock absorbers need repair, you can try to fix the machine yourself. Let's look at how to remove and install new springs, and what nuances you should be aware of.
What does Bosch use: shock absorbers or dampers?
A classic shock absorber has a simple design—it's a cylindrical part containing a piston, bushings, a metal spring, and a piston rod. The damper has no springs; they are mounted separately and attached to the tank walls.
Bosch washing machines have two shock-absorbing elements located underneath. These dampers are better at dampening drum vibrations. Since the springs are located separately, they are easy to replace if they fail.
Most new Bosch models are equipped with dampers.
Testing the part
You can check the functionality of your shock absorbers yourself. No special tools are required. Simply follow these steps:
remove the top cover of the case by unscrewing the screws that secure it;
Press down firmly on the tank. You want it to "descend" by about 5-6 cm;
abruptly stop pressing on the knot;
Observe the tank's behavior. If it rises and then "freezes," the dampers are doing their job properly. If the part continues to wobble, the shock absorbers will need to be replaced or repaired.
Failure of shock absorbers will affect the operation of the equipment. You can suspect their failure by observing the following symptoms:
loud grinding, knocking and creaking sounds from the machine during washing, rinsing and spinning;
Difficulty rotating the drum. This occurs when the shock absorber lacks lubrication.
Typically, if the problem is with the shock absorbing parts, one of the following failures occurs:
Wear of the shock absorber liner or gasket. In some cases, the component can be repaired without the need for new parts;
mechanical defects that arose due to careless transportation of the machine or a manufacturing defect;
The bolts securing the shock absorbers are worn out. The screw that holds the shock absorber in place simply falls out.
No matter what exactly happened to the shock absorbers, the damage should be repaired as quickly as possible. Operation of an automatic machine with faulty dampers is not permitted.
Dismantling and installation of the part
How do you remove the shock absorbers? It's actually quite simple. To remove the dampers, you need to remove the top and rear panel of the housing, which is very easy. On some Bosch models, you'll need to unhook the front panel to access the components. Then, the procedure is as follows:
Remove the cover from the top. To do this, unscrew the two bolts, press lightly on it, and slide it back;
remove the detergent dispenser;
remove the lower decorative panel that hides the debris filter;
Unscrew the screws securing the control panel. Carefully place it on top of the washing machine to avoid damaging the wires connecting it to the control module.
open the hatch door, remove the metal clamp holding the cuff, insert the rubber band into the drum;
Unscrew all the screws securing the front wall of the machine;
disconnect the hatch locking device from the housing;
remove the front panel;
Locate the dampers. They are located underneath the washing machine's drum;
unscrew the bolt that secures the shock absorber or damper to the body (it may be necessary to remove the latch);
remove the shock absorbers.
Next, you need to examine the disconnected shock absorbers to determine what exactly is broken. It's possible that you won't need to purchase new parts; repairing the part will suffice. If not, you'll need to purchase and install serviceable components, following the steps described in reverse order.
A pair of dampers must be replaced, even if only one of them is broken.
Repair or replace dampers?
Is it advisable to buy new components right away, especially if only one shock absorber is broken? You can try saving money and repairing the damper yourself. Typically, simply replacing the internal bearing is required. However, if the spring is stretched or mechanically damaged, only replacement will solve the problem.
If you explore forums on this topic, you'll find that repairing the damper doesn't always produce the expected results. In some cases, the machine will function properly for several years after such intervention, while in others, it will break down after two or three washes. To avoid wasting time and effort on disassembling and reassembling the machine, it's best to immediately buy new shock absorbers and install them in place of the worn ones.
Replacing the dampers on a Bosch washing machine yourself will cost approximately $30–$40. It's best to buy high-quality, original parts and avoid experimenting with generic ones. This way, your machine will definitely last for years after repair.
To dampen vibrations in the machine's body, which are felt when the drum rotates at high speeds, the machine is equipped with shock absorbers. Some models are equipped with dampers, which perform the same function. Shock absorbers are generally reliable and rarely break. If a breakdown does occur and your Bosch washing machine's shock absorbers need repair, you can try to fix the machine yourself. Let's look at how to remove and install new springs, and what nuances you should be aware of.
There should be no knocking!