How to change the seal on a Bosch washing machine?

Grease leaks found on the back wall of your Bosch washing machine's drum indicate it's time to replace the seal. In most cases, the bearing must be reinstalled along with the O-ring. We'll describe how to replace a washing machine's seal and what tools you'll need. We'll also discuss how to properly remove the drum and what mistakes to avoid during the process.

What is needed for repairs?

It's crucial to properly prepare for the upcoming repair. First, you should free up as much space as possible to safely disassemble your Bosch washing machine. It's best to move the machine to the center of the room or even move it to the garage. Second, you should have a full set of tools on hand:

• minus and plus screwdrivers;
• pliers;
• bronze hammer;
• set of open-end wrenches;
• set of socket heads;
• metal pin;
• WD-40 aerosol lubricant;
• moisture-resistant silicone sealant;
• lubricant for seals and washing machine units;
• A puller (if available). This tool will make the repair easier, but you can do it without one.

Once you have made sure that all the necessary equipment is available, you should consider purchasing replacement components. When choosing parts, you should look not only at the model of the car Bosch, but also on the size of the seal, the type of bearing. All information about this can be found in the technical data sheet of the washing equipment.

It's best to buy spare parts at specialized stores; consultants will be able to help you choose. You'll need to provide the vehicle's serial number and spare parts information. A specialist will point out the appropriate seal size and select the correct bearing. You can bring parts already removed from the tank, which will reduce the chances of buying the wrong one.

Avoid purchasing parts intended for other washing machine models. This will likely require repairs within a very short time.

Once you have the replacement parts and all the necessary tools, you can begin the repair yourself. As mentioned earlier, it's important to prepare your work area. Disassembling the machine in a small bathroom won't work; you'll have to move it to a larger space. Make sure to protect the flooring; it's best to lay a rug around the washing machine.

What is the easiest way to remove the tank?

To replace the seal, you'll need to partially disassemble your Bosch washing machine—remove the top cover, the front panel, disconnect the wires, and remove some components. This is necessary to remove the drum-tub assembly from the machine. The procedure is as follows:

• unscrew a couple of screws securing the top cover of the unit, remove the panel and put it aside;
• Remove the detergent drawer. It's a good idea to immediately clean the drawer of any residue or detergent residue;
• unscrew the bolts around the perimeter of the control panel;
• Place the panel on top of the Bosch machine carefully, so as not to break the wiring;
• Using a screwdriver, release the plastic clips holding the lower trim panel and remove it;
• open the hatch door;
• loosen the clamp securing the tank sealing cuff, remove the metal ring from the housing;
• disconnect the UBL contacts, remove the sensor;
• Remove the screws securing the front panel of the washing machine. The screws are located behind the dispenser, drain valve, around the perimeter of the housing, and behind the control panel.

After this, removing the front wall of the washing machine is easy. Now you have access to the main tank.

Before removing the tank, be sure to disconnect the wires connecting the unit to other parts of the Bosch machine and remove the fasteners.

Let's clarify which clamps and wires we're talking about. The following must be disconnected:

• inlet valve fastening;
• drain pipe;
• wiring connecting the unit to the heating element, engine, pump;
• counterweights;
• level sensor tube;
• damper mounts.

Now you can begin removing the unit from the Bosch washing machine. It's best to do this with four hands rather than just one. An assistant will need to depress the shock-absorbing springs while the second person pulls out the tub. In principle, you can do the job yourself, without the need for an "assistant."

Let's split the plastic container in half

Fortunately, the drum of German washing machines is detachable. Separating the tank eliminates the need to cut along the seam, making replacing the washing machine's seal much easier. Disassembling the tank is easy – you just need to unscrew the screws that hold the halves together and release the special latches.

If you have difficulty removing fasteners, you can treat them with WD-40 aerosol.

Next, remove the main mounting screw. After that, remove the drum pulley and replace the main bolt. Then, place the prepared metal pin against the screw and tap the rod with a bronze-faced hammer to knock out the shaft. Work carefully to avoid deforming the shaft. Otherwise, the repair will become significantly more expensive.

We replace worn parts

Once the tank is disassembled, it's time to remove worn parts and install new ones. This work will be done on the rear portion of the unit. Carefully inspect the half; you'll see a seal in the center. The ring is easily removed from its seat with a screwdriver.

Replacing the bearing is more difficult. You'll have to tap it out using a metal pin. The tip of the pin is placed on the edge of the ring and tapped with a bronze hammer. You need to tap the bearing around its entire circumference, gradually moving the pin. Repeat this process until the element is removed.

If you have a special bearing puller, removing the bearing will be even easier and safer.

After removing the metal ring, clean the opening of any debris, dirt, or oil residue. The bearing and seal must be installed in a clean location.

It's time to install the new parts. The bearing is the first thing to go. Be sure to treat the parts and seat with a special lubricant for the seal and washing machine components that come into contact with water. This is very important. Skimping on lubricant will reduce the lifespan of the seal.

The lubricated bearing should be inserted into the bore and carefully driven in. Next, install the seal, which must also be pre-treated with grease. This will prevent water from getting into the bearing during further operation of the equipment.

It's a good idea to also treat the washing machine's drum with a water-repellent lubricant. Just remember to run a couple of empty cycles afterwards to avoid staining the items in the drum. Reassembly is done in reverse order.

When joining the drum halves, it's best to apply silicone sealant to the connecting seam before snapping the fasteners into place and screwing in the screws around the perimeter. This will increase the structural integrity. Next, you can return the unit to the machine, reconnect the previously disconnected wiring, and reconnect the removed fasteners. Afterward, reinstall the drum walls, control panel, and detergent drawer, and run a test wash.

Typical mistakes

If you're attempting to repair a Bosch washing machine yourself for the first time, the risk of making a mistake during the process is quite high. To prevent a small mistake from ruining the situation, it's important to understand the most common mistakes made by newbies and try to avoid them.

The following omissions are involved:

• careless removal of the front panel of the Bosch washing machine, which results in a break in the UBL wiring;
• damage to the cuff when “pulling” it out of the washing machine with the clamp not loosened;
• deformation of the drum wheel when it is carelessly removed from the shaft;
• Damage to fasteners when removing them with extreme force. If the bolt is stubborn, it's best to treat it with WD-40 and then gently unscrew it;
• break in the wiring leading to the thermostat;
• tearing out the filler pipe together with the water intake hose;
• Damage to the drum surface due to careless removal of the bearing. This error will require replacement of the drum, which will greatly increase the cost of repairs.

So, first consider whether you can handle the upcoming work. Remember that replacing the seal and bearing isn't easy. You'll have to disassemble the machine body, memorize the wiring diagram, disconnect them, remove and disconnect the tank, and then reassemble the machine. The repair will take a novice several hours. If you'd rather pay a technician around 3,000-4,000 rubles, you can take it to a service center and skip the hassle of replacement.

   

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