Removing the pulley of an Electrolux washing machine

The pulley is a wheel bolted to the drum hub and connected to the motor by a drive belt. It's easy to find—simply remove the rear section of a front-loading machine. If, for example, you're trying to access the drum bearings, you'll definitely need to remove the pulley on your Electrolux washing machine. We'll explain how to do this and what difficulties you might encounter.

Is it difficult to remove the pulley?

The task ahead isn't all that difficult, provided the pulley bolt head is intact. In that case, simply find a wrench of the correct size, place it on the head, and turn it counterclockwise. To slow the part down, secure the wheel with a wooden block.

If moisture penetrates the bushing, there's a risk that the bolt threads will rust completely. Applying pressure with the wrench won't help, but will only make the situation worse, ultimately leading to the head being stripped. This will significantly complicate pulley removal.

If this does happen, you need to thoroughly treat the bolt with WD-40 cleaner and wait 15-20 minutes!

Next, use a chisel and hammer. Use them to make a notch on the head. You can penetrate the metal by just 1-1.5 mm, which is quite enough. Then insert the chisel into the hole and, using a hammer, try to turn the mechanism counterclockwise.

It doesn't matter which way the element is unscrewed; the main thing is that the screw moves. If you have a hand grinder, it's best to use it to make the notches. A chisel is very destructive, and you don't need any additional problems.

Even without the bolt the pulley can't be pulled off

Sometimes the situation seems hopeless. The pulley is stuck to the bushing so tightly that even a chisel and hammer are useless. The cause may be rust or wheel deformation caused by mechanical damage. Since there's no retaining element, a workaround is required.

The first step is to remove corrosion and scale. WD-40 cleaning solution will be our main assistant here. To cope with this problem, you will have to be patient. You will need to do the following:

• ask a friend to hold the drum while you unscrew the wheel;
• start shaking the pulley, trying to pull the wheel off the tank;
• At the same time, treat the joints with WD-40 lubricant every 15-20 minutes.

If the pulley still won't budge, you'll need to knock it out. It's important not to use tools that could damage the bushing and worsen the shaft problem. It's best to take a shovel handle and place the pointed end in the center of the wheel. Then, tap the wood firmly and precisely with a hammer. The result may not be immediate, but with enough force, the part will pop out sooner or later.

Once the repair is complete, don't rush to return the pulley. A mounting surface still needs to be prepared. Using a familiar cleaning solution like WD-40, you'll need to clean the bushing threads. If you find a damaged bolt, be sure to replace it, otherwise you'll have to go through this arduous process again in a couple of years.

   

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