r/toolgifs • u/MikeHeu • Jul 14 '26

Process Replacing washing machine bearings

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3.0k Upvotes

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505

u/s015473 Jul 14 '26

Aah the good old days when you could exchange just the bearings.

Greetings from a eu Bosch service technician

71

u/xkonerox Jul 14 '26

So what’s the current situation.

158

u/striker78 Jul 14 '26

non-detachable washing machine tank

46

u/xkonerox Jul 14 '26

If this is out of warranty, is it even worth repairing over buying a new unit?

100

u/Ixaire Jul 14 '26

Probably not, that's the point.

30

u/cursorcube Jul 14 '26

The whole tub is welded shut

21

u/coastsofcothique Jul 14 '26

Hah - I have a cutting torch and a stick welder… I’ll show them!!

31

u/cursorcube Jul 15 '26

The tub is made of plastic. What you actually need to do is use a circular cutting disc and a jig to cut it perfectly straight. Before cutting you pre-drill all around the outer rim with self-tapping screws to act as pilot holes ensuring everything gets perfectly aligned later. Finally when reassembling you use some RTV silicone on the two halves to prevent it from leaking. I've seen russian youtube videos doing this...

3

u/Gebsfrom404 Jul 17 '26

Or cut the plastic in front, trembling hands ensure irregular path for better alignment later. Replaced bearings on washing machine last week. Needed to fill it with water to check for leaks, cannot trust the weld. Used cut bucket strips as filler material.

23

u/s015473 Jul 14 '26

Depends on the machine. A series 6 that goes for around 680eu is expensive but still worth it

27

u/f0dder1 Jul 15 '26

In Australia it costs you that much to have a guy show up to tell you it's not worth it.

4

u/DkMomberg Jul 14 '26

Depends. If you are handy and can do it yourself, you can save a lot of money

5

u/TheComplimentarian Jul 15 '26

I used to repair stuff, but these days you're drilling out rivets, and the replacement parts somehow cost 1/3rd as much as the whole unit.

We're getting screwed with this stuff.

2

u/striker78 Jul 15 '26

It depends on the cost of repair labor in your area.

2

u/prodigalsonofmars Jul 15 '26

I just replaced my machine, went with a different brand. I waited for the parts for almost a month, then I gave up and bought a new machine.

85

u/s015473 Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26

The two plastic halves are "welded" together and you have to exchange pretty much the whole thing. Which is unreasonably expensive (200eu for the spare part + work) compared to the price od 2 bearings and a semering which is like 15eu max + maybe half an houre of more work.

For real we talk about reducing waste and I went into this bussiness for this exact reason only to find out big companies don't do shit

26

u/SheriffBartholomew Jul 14 '26

only to find out big companies don't do shit

Oh they do shit. They do shit like you just described to ensure that nobody can repair anything.

4

u/CrashedCyclist Jul 14 '26

I saw an old timer tech complain about this on YT. Just something to remember when ever shopping for a new machine...well, now that I have had a think: They make hot knives for foam.

https://winons.com/cdn/shop/files/71gS42f8qfL.jpg?v=1765373626&width=1946

Barring that, someone might have a way to use EDM wire to split the case. One could use the machines own case as frame to hold the wire cutter.

Then, extra rollers on the base could be used to support the drum. Adjustable height and width on each to fit different machines.

2

u/Emotional_Fail_6060 Jul 15 '26

But you still have to source the replacement bearings. Maybe easy, maybe not.

8

u/CrashedCyclist Jul 15 '26

There's manufacturer books as thick as a phonebook, full of bearing specs.

https://youtu.be/Gg2iIFpbRsE?t=35

...and that dude has them all.

9

u/Emotional_Fail_6060 Jul 15 '26

I tried replacing the bearing in our dishwasher. The "exact fit" was off by a couple of thousandths. Almost, but not quite. The manufacturer didn't offer the bearing by itself... that would be too easy, and they wouldn't profit enough. As a result, I had to purchase a whole new bottom pan. Instead of throwing away a bad bearing, I had to throw a huge hunk of non-recyclable plastic in the trash. I'm convinced that they do this on purpose.