How to change brushes on a Bosch washing machine

replacing brushes Washing machine motor failure is quite possible, especially if the machine has been in use for several years. The main cause of this problem is worn carbon brushes. Replacing them will solve the problem, and the machine will function as before. Learn how to replace brushes in a Bosch washing machine in this article. This repair is considered moderately complex, so you can do it yourself.

Preparatory stage

The first step is to prepare the machine for partial disassembly. It should be disconnected from all power supplies and moved to a clear space in the room, allowing access to the rear cover. Without partial disassembly, it's impossible to say with 100% certainty that the brushes are broken. This type of malfunction, of course, has its own characteristic symptoms:

firstly, the drum rotates slower than the set speed;
secondly, a characteristic noise appears, but it is difficult to understand from the noise that the brushes are faulty;
thirdly, on the washing machine display Bosch error appears F21 or E These errors are related to the engine, but it is not a fact that the cause is broken brushes.
fourthly, it is rare, but it happens that the engine sparks and a burning smell appears.

So, to definitely determine the fault, you need to remove the motor from the machine body. To do this:

unscrew the back cover of the case using a hex screwdriver;
remove the drive belt from the pulley;
disconnect the connectors with wires from the engine;
Using a socket wrench, unscrew the screws that hold the motor in place;
remove the engine, shaking it from side to side if necessary.

Please note: In some Bosch washing machine models, brushes can be replaced without removing the motor.

It's easier to get to the engine through the bottom

Necessary tool

As for the tools for replacing the motor brushes, you won't need anything special. You'll need to prepare:

flat-head screwdriver;
tester;
markers for marking wires or a camera.

To replace the carbon brushes, purchase a pair of carbon brushes for your specific Bosch washing machine brand. These can be purchased at a specialist store, a service centre, or ordered online. When choosing brushes, you need to be careful, because they all seem similar, but nevertheless, they can have different lengths, widths, and thicknesses, in addition, they can have different contact lengths and contact outlet locations. Bosch Maxx series washing machines usually have 5*12 or 5*36 mm brushes with a contact from the center in the form of a spring with a terminal.

If you're unsure which Bosch washing machine motor brushes to buy, it's best to first remove the old brushes from the motor, and then, with a sample in hand, go buy new ones.

Execution of work

All the preparation is complete, now we're ready to replace the motor brushes on our Bosch washing machine. First, we need to locate the motor brushes. Some people don't understand anything about a brushed motor and have no desire to disassemble it. Luckily, all we need to do for this job is remove the brushes.

Where are the brushes on the motor?

The carbon brushes of the Bosch washing machine's electric motor are located on the sides of the housing. The brushes have a wire that supplies power and a spring that pushes them out and presses them against the rotating blades. The brushes have a distinctive appearance and are unmistakable.

To successfully replace the motor brushes in a Bosch washing machine, you need to properly remove the old, worn carbon elements. How do you do this?

Take a flat-head screwdriver or round-nose pliers and carefully pry up the terminal of the power supply wire to pull it off.
Now take the contact of the Bosch washing machine motor brush and move it away from the wiring.
We pull the contact very carefully upwards, after which the spring-loaded brush itself pops up and can be pulled out. When removing the brush, remember which side it was on so that you can install the new motor brush in the same way later.
We inspect the old brushes on a Bosch washing machine motor, determine how worn they are, and decide whether they need replacing.

If replacement is required, unpack the new carbon brushes. Insert them into the motor crossmembers just as the old brushes were. Next, push the spring into the crossmember. This is difficult because the spring is long and will need to be compressed completely to fit into the crossmember. Next, insert the terminals into the clamps at the top of the crossmember and slide them toward the power supply wire, thus securing the motor's carbon brush.

Now all that's left is to attach the connector with the wire to the carbon brush terminal, and we can begin replacing the second brush. Experts recommend always replacing brushes in pairs, even if the second brush is intact; this extends the life of the motor. Replacing the second brush is done in the same way. After checking the reliability of all contacts, the motor is ready for installation in the washing machine. The brushes are replaced!

Similar commutator motors are installed in automatic washing machines of many brands, not just Bosch. By following the steps above, you can Change the brushes on an Indesit washing machine, Ariston, Siemens, AEG, and other brands of washing machines.

What to do after replacement

Replacing the brushes does not guarantee that the motor of a Bosch washing machine will work reliably immediately after repair. The new brushes need to be ground in, so we put the motor back in place, connect it, assemble the washing machine, install it, and perform a test run. At this stage, don't be stingy with the motor; set the spin cycle to the longest possible speed at maximum. The more intensely the motor runs at first, the better – the brushes will wear in faster and the motor will begin to run smoothly.

Don't be surprised if the engine is a bit noisy at first, this will soon pass.

In conclusion, if your Bosch washing machine needs a simple repair, such as replacing the motor brushes, don't rush to call a technician. In this situation, you can easily save a few tens of dollars and do it yourself. The key is to be attentive and willing to put in a little work. Happy repairing!