Washing Machine Help Forum

[Ozzy]

Hi
I'm a complete newbie on this forum, so excuse my ignorance. I have searched for my model and didn't get any details on my topic, so I thought I would drop a note.

What I (think) I need to do is replace the drum bearings on my Hotpoint WMA44 machine. It's about 3 years old now and has had very good service. But after being used at least once per day over that period, the spinning is now quite noisy.

I am quite competent at just about everything mechanical and I wouldn't mind attempting to replace the bearings on this machine.
Is there any advice on how I could do this? I don't think for a minute it will be easy, but I have nothing to lose as the bottom line might be I need a new machine anyway.
Is there a service manual I could use as a guide on how the machine comes apart? Do I need any special tools (pullers, etc)?

As I say, I'm confident that I can cope with doing the job, but I don't want to go into it blindly. Any help would be appreciated.

Big Oz

[Dave_Conway]

Oz, we can't give you specific instructions on how to carry out the repair, but basically the whole drum unit needs to be removed from the machine then split/stripped to acccess the bearings.

Dave.

[kwatt]

And the WMA series was the series that Hotpoint took a roasting on Watchdog over for this very failure.

IIRC it comes as a kit.

K.

[Ozzy]

So, is the general concensus that this is not a job to be attempted?
What are my options? If I call an engineer out, what will it cost me?
Can I get the spare parts/kit directly from Hotpoint?

Sorry for all the questions, but I would rather exhaust all my options rather than just go out and buy a new one, which should NOT be Hotpoint from some of the posts I've seen on this board!

Oz

[Martin]

Ozzy,

If you have proof of purchase Hotpoint may well replaced the Drum Assy under their 5 year parts guarantee. You pay around £90 for the labour in total.

If your machine is only 3yrs old it should well qualify, then give Hotpoint a bell

Martin

[Dave_Conway]

Three options open to you really:

1/ Do it yourself, the bearing kit and seals will cost around £40 which we can supply to you.

2/ Ask an Independant repairer to do it, possible costs between £100-£150.

3/ If it's less than 5 years old, get Hotpoint to do it and you will only pay their call out/labour charge circa £80-£100 (free 5 year parts guarantee)

Dave.

[Ozzy]

Thanks for that.
Who is the "we" that will provide the bearing kit?
I've found a website that supply all these parts and they have a Hotpoint Bearing/Seal kit for £25.

Oz

[Martin]

Who is the "we" that will provide the bearing kit?

Why this very website is

Simply go into "Shop@" in our Navigation bar and buy them if you wish

Martin

[Dave_Conway]

Who is the "we" that will provide the bearing kit?

UK Whitegoods collectively.

The bearing kit is only £15 on this site but you'll also need the seal that goes in between the two halves of the tub plus postage hence the "around £40" estimate which was a little high admittedly

The kit is available here

The seal is here

Dave.

[wytze]

Ozzy, Dave, Martin

What a coincidence. I have exactly the same problem with my hotpoint WMS38N washer. Main drum bearing suddenly started making ugly noises after only 3 years of daily use. I suspect a broken ball bearing. Reason I came across your topic is that I was looking for some answers: I have replaced a main bearing in an older machine before (and was very proud of that!) , but on this one I discovered to my horror that there is no removeable back panel to this machine to get access to the back of the drum Moreover, the sidepanel is punched rather than bolted to the chassis (cheaper to manufacture?) so I cannot remove the drum by lifting it out of the machine (via top or base) it seems without a can opener . It seems they punched the machine shut after installing the drum? My question: can the main drum bearing be replaced at all on this machine?? (by an engineer or myself) If yes, how to get access?? I can't figure it out.

Thanks Wytze

[Dave_Conway]

What a coincidence.

Believe me, it's no coincidence

If yes, how to get access??

Take the front panel off

Dave.

[Ozzy]

Wytze, and everyone else on this thread...

Well, I've finally changed the bearings on my WMA44 and believe me, it's not easy! But I did it and the machine is back in and working a treat.
If anyone wants to know specifically how to do this, drop me a line.
Bascially, the whole drum unit needs to come out, then split the drum casing, then get the 2 bearings out and the seal (was relatively easy on my machine, but can be a right B!), then replace the casing seal, put the thing back together and put the drum back on the machine.
If you want detailed information for this type of machine, email me.

Oz

[peeler40]

The back half of the tub needs to be changed on the wma series .they
cost £65/£70 and come complete with bearings and seal fitted .
The reason the bearings fail on the early wma machines is because the
drain hole between the seal and the front bearing was drilled in the wrong
position , It was drilled after the bearing not before the bearing so any
water that got passed the seal went through the bearing instead of escaping down the drain hole . Clear ? . The new tubs are light blue .Old
tubs standard grey /white .

[Penguin45]

Public Forum, Peeler40.

Suggested Selling Price for tub rear half is £68.27, plus the VAT.

Penguin45.

[dpm]

/ what edit? LOL