A plastic rib broke off in the washing machine drum.

A plastic rib broke off in the washing machine drum. A modern washing machine is a high-tech device, within which dozens of complex operations, both small and large, quick and slow, occur every second. For the machine to function properly, every single part must be in good working order. Therefore, the drum fins, also known as the bumpers, may not be the most important components, but they are absolutely essential for high-quality washing.

The drum bumper rotates the clothes during the cycle, allowing the washer to remove stains more effectively. Therefore, if you notice a plastic bumper in the drum has come loose, it's important to repair it immediately to avoid a loss of washing performance.

We install the rib in place

What should you do if, after a recent wash, you suddenly notice that a rib in your washing machine has either broken, simply come off, or is loose and about to come off? First of all, don't panic, as this isn't a serious problem, so there's no need to call a service center. You can fix this problem yourself, using a small list of tools that everyone usually keeps in their home just in case. In total, you'll need:

construction hair dryer;
a small boring machine, also known as an engraver;
marker;
plastic clamps;
nippers.

After preparing or purchasing all the necessary tools, you can begin the repair. There is no need to free up space at home, as all the work can be done right where the washing machine normally stands. It's important to follow our instructions carefully to avoid further damage to the part. We'll describe the procedure below.

If the rib hasn't broken or torn off, but has simply become unstable, first heat the back of the part with a hair dryer. This is necessary to make it yield and remove it without much effort.

Do not overdo it with heating, so as not to damage the bump stop - just 15-20 seconds of exposure to high temperature is enough.

We pull the part towards ourselves and remove it.
Now, on the edge itself, using a marker, we put marks 5-6 millimeters below the latches.
Next, using an engraver, we cut four holes on the bumper, using the marker marks as a guide.
We thread two strong plastic clamps through the resulting holes with the teeth facing up.
We adjust the latches in the washing machine where the rib will be installed. The latches should be at a 45-degree angle.
We put the rib in its place and insert the clamps into the holes in the drum.
We heat the back wall of the part again.
We insert the element into the grooves.
We fix the clamps, lower them down, tighten them and cut them with nippers.
Finally, you can sand down the sharp edges of the clamps with a grinding machine.

After these steps, the laundry lift will be securely fixed, and you can forget about torn ribs in your washing machine forever.

What happens if you wash without a rib?

Unfortunately, washing machine owners often believe that if one rib breaks, it's no big deal and they can continue washing clothes as if nothing happened. Supposedly, the machine has two more fins, enough to rotate the laundry in the drum. However, this type of washing can damage not only the clothes but also the appliance itself.

There's a reason designers use exactly three ribs in washing machines. These three components ensure optimal distribution of clothes within the machine. If there are two or even just one rib, the drum will become unbalanced. Add to this the worn shock absorbers, which already cause the machine to wobble during operation. Without a rib, the machine will bounce around the entire apartment during the wash cycle, risking damage to internal components or breaking something in the house. the car is jumping a lot

Nothing good will happen to the clothes inside either. Under the ribs of the drum there are metal eyes that can make snags and even holes in things. The situation can be aggravated by the fact that over time the eyes acquire burrs that will simply destroy any things, even the strongest ones. There's a hole in my clothes because of the machine

Therefore, if your washing machine has lost one or more ribs, it's best to forget about washing it until the parts are reinstalled. You might get lucky once and avoid serious damage to your clothes during the rinse and spin cycle, but no item will survive two washes without a plastic rib.