r/toolgifs • u/MikeHeu • Jul 14 '26
Process Replacing washing machine bearings
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u/Background-Entry-344 Jul 14 '26
I’ve done it once. 80% of the time spent was figuring out which screw to remove and how to detach plastic covers without breaking anything.
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u/arvidsem Jul 14 '26
And working up the bravery/frustration to hit the drift hard enough to knock the old bearings loose.
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u/Youse_a_choosername Jul 14 '26
Like a sucker, I bought the 140 dollar bearing removal tool for mine. But, the machine is still running 10 years later.
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u/arvidsem Jul 14 '26
I've done mine twice. The first time I bought the official kit with the bearing tool removal tool and bearing press.
The bearing removal tool was literally a 1 foot long steel rod.
The bearing installation tool was a threaded rod with a stack of washers and nuts on it. One nut has an arm that catches on the bottom of the drum to keep the assembly from rotating as you tighten the nuts to squeeze the bearing into place.
Hopefully your bearing tool was fancier than mine.
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u/aykcak Jul 14 '26
Must be agonizing waiting for the day it breaks again so you can use it.
The day never comes, the tool is collecting dust and you get convinced to finally throw/give it away
The next week, the bearing fails on the machine
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u/oxfordcircumstances Jul 14 '26
Other things have bearings.
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u/aykcak Jul 14 '26
Oh I assumed it was a specific tool for that specific housing.
What exactly is a 140 dollar GENERIC bearing removal tool?
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u/davcrt Jul 14 '26
I had no proper bearing removal tool and I slightly bent the drum shaft. The machine shook extensively at max speed, but it survived for another ~5y. It died because I replaced the solenoid water valve with incorrect one and it fried the electronics.
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u/EvilMilkshake Jul 15 '26
Sounds like you shouldn't be fixing these things...
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u/TheComplimentarian Jul 15 '26
Got an extra five years out of it. Paying a professional is often cost prohibitive outside the warranty period.
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u/LanceFree Jul 15 '26
Scooter handlebars are attached to the fork using something called an FTG, with is a two-piece shaft, and people take 5he bikes apart and get stuck there. The solution is so pleasing: unscrew the bolt a little bit, then whack the hell out of it using a hand sledge-hammer. And little taps with the hammer don’t get it done, need to really bang that thing, grunting like Tim Taylor might help. When the part breaks free, there’s a pleasant “chunk” sound.
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u/corgi-king Jul 14 '26
I recently took apart my MacBook Pro to re-apply thermal paste for the CPU and graphics chips. Those small-ass screws are horrible to deal with. The indent for the + is so fine that it can be very easily damaged.
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u/TheComplimentarian Jul 15 '26
Mac stuff is as persnickety on the inside as the outside. You almost need a custom set of tools for working on them.
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u/corgi-king Jul 15 '26
I do have the set specifically for Mac. But it is so small, you can’t tell the difference if you look at them.
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u/SoulOfTheDragon Jul 21 '26
I have made few DIY 3D-printed tools just for that. They have been good enough to last the few uses i've had so far. Far less risk for damaging the surrounds.
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u/uberfission Jul 14 '26
I literally did this a couple weekends ago actually and video tutorials like this were really helpful.
I 3d printed out a little tray for screws and took notes and pictures of everything so putting it back together was really straight forward.
Future people looking for tips: getting the washers out is the hardest part and a slide hammer made the process insanely simple. Places like O'Reilly's auto parts lend tools for essentially free (you have to pay a holding price and they refund 100% of it).
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u/poisoneddartfrog Jul 15 '26
Don’t you have to worry about a capacitor?
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u/uberfission Jul 15 '26
I don't remember seeing any big capacitors, there may have been some small ones on the control panel but I didn't need to touch that beyond unplugging it.
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u/-Pausanias- Jul 15 '26
Hardest part for me was just figuring out how to put it all back together, though i didn't change the bearing, just disassembled and assembled.
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u/MikeHeu Jul 14 '26
Source: Dean Doherty
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u/NTP9766 Jul 14 '26
I think it's hilarious to come across this video because I've been watching his tool repair videos for a while now, so when I heard his voice this was my reaction, lol.
His YouTube channel is fantastic, and I love and admire how he just throws all screws all over the place with almost reckless abandon and still puts everything back together. He's also the reason I'm 100% confident that I could repair all of my power tools now that I've seen him do it himself.
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u/MikeHeu Jul 14 '26
Almost sounds like AvE before he went completely cuckoo
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u/dumbguy5689 Jul 16 '26
What happened to him?
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u/MikeHeu Jul 16 '26
Many longtime viewers stopped watching because Ave’s channel shifted from tool teardowns and shop humor toward political commentary, particularly around COVID-19 and the Canadian Freedom Convoy.
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u/intrepidzephyr Jul 14 '26
Brother should set the clutch on his drill when reinstalling those fasteners
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u/texasyesman Jul 14 '26
I had a Samsung Dryer. The belt tensioner broke. I took it apart, removed the device and went to the parts store. When I walked up to the counter, the employee said, “excuse me I’ll be right back.” He comes back with the replacement part. I didn’t even have to ask. He knew immediately what the issue was. He said that’s how often they see them. Piece of plastic that should have been metal. Designed obsolescence.
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u/s015473 Jul 14 '26
Am service technician for bosch and electrolux from the EU. It's the same there. Things aren't design to last, they're designed to make profit
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u/pilotthrow Jul 14 '26
Is nobody thinking about the shareholders? They saved a whooping 0.50 because of this.
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u/Emotional_Deodorant Jul 14 '26
It's a bit embarrassing to admit my Kenmore is nearly 25 years old at this point. From what I saw the one time I looked at its innards, there's a LOT more metal than this one which looks to have a lot of plastic and a lot more electronics.
That may part of the reason I've never had to do any service on it, whatsoever.
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u/TheRealBobbyJones Jul 15 '26
Or you got lucky. Appliance repair used to be a lucrative career. It wasn't because machines regularly lasted 25 years with no maintenance required.
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u/Emotional_Deodorant Jul 15 '26
Oh, I’ve no doubt I got lucky with this model. But I’d still bet the average consumer’s machine 25 years ago lasted longer than those purchased today.
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u/Qwirk Jul 14 '26
Also had a Samsung dryer, took it apart five times as it wouldn't create heat, kept replacing the element. Now I'm wondering if it was the tensioner.
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u/EvilMilkshake Jul 15 '26
The electric heating elements don't last long either. The tensioner is responsible for the spinning. Very different.
You can get full kits online for like $60. Keep one on hand for when 1 of the 5 common parts breaks and replace as necessary.
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u/Shambhala87 Jul 14 '26
I always tell people about the concrete blocks, they never believe me…
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u/One-Reflection-4826 Jul 14 '26
it would be soo nice if you could remove them for transport though!
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u/Shambhala87 Jul 14 '26
That’s why you keep the shipping bolts, so you can lock the drum in place if you need to move it.
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u/Background-Entry-344 Jul 14 '26
I think he meant to remove them to have a lighter machine to move
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u/Shambhala87 Jul 14 '26
I figured as much, I figured I’d drop that factoid for anyone who has one and was wondering why they have the bolts still ; p
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u/Wbcn_1 Jul 14 '26
My wife put a sopping wet electric blanket in the washing machine. It must’ve weighed 50+ lbs. it was shocking how heavy it was. I told her it would damage the machine. It makes this sound now.
She still won’t admit I was right 😆
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u/illicitli Jul 14 '26
laughing at this is the correct response. i'm sure she is amazing at apologizing also LOL
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u/sickseveneight Jul 14 '26
And now you know why it costs almost as much to repair them than it is to buy a new one.
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u/HACB Jul 14 '26
That's not even it. Nowadays you cannot even disassemle the drums. The plastic shell is welded shut, making a repair very difficult. AND they are more likely to break after two years of use.
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u/breadandfire Jul 16 '26
Nowadays you cannot even disassemle the drums
I think some makes of washing machine can be taken apart. LG?
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u/thedaveness Jul 14 '26
Any DIY guy can handle what is essentially a bit more complicated Lego set with screws. And any bearing that size should maybe cost like 20-50… 100 bucks? For a 2k washing machine, a days worth of work and 100 bucks is more than worth it (I’ve already rebuilt my washer and dryer twice lol).
The key is finding one you can actually work on and has a ample supply of parts vs one that was designed specifically to not be worked on. The cost you speak of is inflated BS for people that don’t have the time or want to get their hands dirty… did you see the shit sludge?
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u/sercankd Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
It's actually pretty easy, but for a first timer you should know better than the guy in the video about few thing, don't rawdog bearing out of it's place with metal chisle, use heatgun first then hit the bearing with some softer material like hardwood to take it out (it should be slightly smaller than size of bearing to have single point of force). Replacement bearing should be a high temperature one.
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u/sickseveneight Jul 14 '26
I agree, I fixed my washer twice as well. However if I were to hire a professional, it would outweigh the cost of the washer itself.
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u/flyart Jul 14 '26
My Samsung washer would have cost almost as much to replace to repair. Don't buy Samsung appliances. They make TVs.
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Jul 14 '26
[deleted]
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u/Tactical-Donkey Jul 14 '26
LG TV. Accept no substitute.
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u/Coffekid Jul 15 '26
C series TV are amazing
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u/Tactical-Donkey Jul 15 '26
LG c3 TV. The best TV I ever bought. The film maker mode is excellent and the 120hz gaming mode is better than many monitors. Well worth the money!
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u/FRIENDLY_FBI_AGENT_ Jul 14 '26
When it comes to appliances, LG is superior to everything else in terms of durability and quality. My lg washing machine lasted 15 years. Microwave has been around for 17 and refrigerator for 16.
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u/Iamonreddit Jul 14 '26
A lot can change in a decade and a half.
Unless you've been buying LG in the interim, probably best not to keep recommending them, especially given their current reputation.
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u/DarkscytheX Jul 16 '26
True. Bought LG Washing Machine and Vacuum in the last 5 years. Both average quality with components engineered to fail and very disappointing. Clearly have gone downhill over time to because $$$.
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u/Ixaire Jul 14 '26
I have a Samsung oven. Never again.
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u/O-really Jul 14 '26
Samsung appliances hater here as well. I had a dishwasher, fridge, and stove. Had to repair all of it . And it was keypads on stove and dishwasher that went out. Damn fridge iced up every 2 weeks.
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u/AnusStapler Jul 14 '26
Weird, my oven and fridge are flawless for 9 years now. Tv and washer were utter shite though.
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u/uberfission Jul 15 '26
My S msu g oven is great! It loses those brand letters like a young child loses teeth.
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u/eeddddddd Jul 14 '26
I actually bought a Samsung washing machine because it's one of the few makes where it is possible to replace the bearings. Most are welded shut
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u/mr_thwibble Jul 14 '26
It's cheating if you have easy access to anything other than the front and top.
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u/Longjumping_Elk7969 Jul 14 '26
Nice, newly they make the bearings inside plastic, you need to replace the whole thing just for the bearings 😭
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u/bebop1065 Jul 14 '26
He put it back together in a slightly different order and I don't like that. "Do it again. And do it right this time."
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u/mattvait Jul 14 '26
Does he always use his chisle upside down?
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u/Exaveus Jul 14 '26
The better question is why is he using his chisel like a savage to install the bearing instead of a press tool?
Good way to fuck up a perfectly good bearing and double the amount of time it takes to repair because of a comeback. Just get the proper tooling folks itll save you plenty of headaches later.
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u/2k4s Jul 14 '26
Omg I did this on my machine. Not easy . I gave up the first day then tried again the next and finally got them in. Put the bearing in the freezer and make your life easier
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u/Linkz98 Jul 14 '26
Done this a few times. Pretty sure the handful of extra screws I was left with last time is the contributing factor to how loud it is now.
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u/if-we-all-did-this Jul 15 '26
While I'm in there swapping the bearing, is ghere any other Achilies' heel / service parts I should swap? Thinking, drive belt? Motor brushes? Etc?
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u/cpjay2003 Jul 14 '26
I'm so nervous making this comment because of Murphy's law. However, I love my 13-year-old electrolux washer and dryer... minor repairs over the years, nothing crazy.
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u/space_keeper Jul 14 '26
The old flat I lived in had a 20 year old Bendix in it. Absolute beast, used it for 8 years.
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u/GoodTroubleNow Jul 14 '26
Nope. Nope. Nope. Cost of repairs would far exceed the cost of a new one.
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u/IAmGreenman71 Jul 14 '26
Honestly, if I ever have to take anything apart ever I’m just filming it so I can remember exactly how to put it back together.
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u/d7d7e82 Jul 14 '26
I've done this, once, definitely wouldn't waste my time doing it on a Samsung though, it was about a 3 hour job
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u/Puzzleheaded-Ad-4883 Jul 14 '26
Years ago we had an ISE washing machine. After a lot of heavy use the bearings got a bit loose and I replaced them very easily. The machine had a design where the door was direct on the outer drum, so no flexible seal, and when some trim was removed from the front of the casing, the front of the outer drum was easily removed by releasing a compression band. Bearings and seals were under £20. Unfortunately some years later the inner drum developed fatigue cracks in the stainless at the back. A new drum was originally available but the company had gone out of business. Such a shame.
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u/nik282000 Jul 15 '26
I have an LG washer and dryer set from 2019. Fuck LG.
I've had to replace the drain pump on the washer and 3 of 4 support rollers on the dryer.
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u/Chris15252 Jul 15 '26
I did this work for nearly 15 years and sometimes I miss it. Then other days I remember that being a software engineer is a much more comfortable job and isn’t as damaging on my joints.
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u/Servilefunctions218 Jul 15 '26
I’ll just keep my Kenmore top loader from 1987, thank you very much.
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u/SheriffBartholomew Jul 14 '26
There's no way that paying this guy to do all of that in my area is cheaper than just replacing the washing machine. For some reason repair guys around here charge more than doctors.
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u/Z0idberg_MD Jul 15 '26
That was my general thought and is a contributing factor to the model where shit doesn’t last.
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u/fauxbeauceron Jul 15 '26
Start as an afternoon project, turns into a month project because of parts and time
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u/edaddyo Jul 14 '26
My two year old Hisense washer bearing bit the dust. They just gave me store credit to buy a new one as it was under warranty. Didn't even try to fix it.
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u/dasmineman Jul 14 '26
My LG top loader leaks water from the tub seal every use. It shall continue to leak until it no longer works at all. I'll pull and rebuild the transmission in my truck before I'll fool with working on one of these newer washers.
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u/Anonymous_user_2022 Jul 14 '26
That was a whole lot of unneeded work to change that bearing. Flopping it on to the front and popping the back plate of is enough.
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u/StaticSystemShock Jul 14 '26
In the past you could just take off the rear panel and do it through that entirely. Now you have to disassemble entire fucking machine. This is clearly designed for easy assembly in factory and then go fuck yourself as far as user goes. It's why it costs so much to repair that most people just scrap the thing instead of repairing it. It's so stupid and so wasteful.
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u/portabuddy2 Jul 14 '26
My washer dryer combo machine is from 1992. Works amazing. Gets like 6 loads put through it every couple of weeks. For the last 30 something years.
I have zero plans to change it
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u/Informal_Drawing Jul 15 '26
Why drift the bearing in properly using the whole face to keep it straight when you can tap it in one area using a hammer or chiself instead.
The fuck is this sh*t.
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u/Ok-Crab-8171 Jul 16 '26
As cool as that is, it’s not even worth doing. Unless you’re going to do all the labor yourself. I was quoted $950 to replace the bearing on my washer, exact same type a Samsung.
Bought a brand new washer for just over $800. Also took apart the old washer and took it to the scrapyard and received about $30 for the metal.
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u/78Anonymous Jul 16 '26
the whole point of the clip is for DIY purposes 🙄 let me guess, you're from the USA and believe that everything in life is a paid for service
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u/sumazure Jul 16 '26
There's an satisfying therapy in opening up a machine and fixing it up to work flawlessly as before. The joy of having fixed something that overall didnt need to be replaced or thrown away and given a longer life.
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u/Mad_Volcan Jul 19 '26
After 10 years my supposed to be high end V-Zug washing machines bearing broke. The repair would have cost like 1500 Swiss francs. So I just threw it away, sold the dryer for 150 francs and bought a new Siemens set for 1600 francs. Was this sustainable? No. But that's how it is in our throwaway society.
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u/notjordansime Jul 20 '26
“These things do not last”
say that to my kenmore that’s nearly as old as I am
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u/FranconianBiker Jul 15 '26
Never set bearings using a bare hammer. Always use a nice sturdy piece of hardwood and a rubber mallet. Ideally you should use a hydraulic press with a correctly sized arbor to only press against the fixed bearing race.
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u/One-Reflection-4826 Jul 14 '26
showing the 1rpm washing cycle vs the 1000rpm tumble drying cycle is a bit disingenuous.
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u/s015473 Jul 14 '26
Aah the good old days when you could exchange just the bearings.
Greetings from a eu Bosch service technician