How to Grease a Bearing in a Washing Machine: How to Choose a Grease

The washing machine has been working diligently for a long time, but one unhappy day a strange noise in the process of spinning the laundry at high revolutions. Most likely the bearings are worn out and it is necessary to react to this as soon as possible to avoid the case deterioration.

Probably nothing terrible has happened and you only need to lubricate the bearings of the washing machine drum, which will certainly significantly extend the life of the equipment. How to do it?

Choosing Grease for Washing Machines

It comes in different forms and has distinctive characteristics. But, each of them must be:

• heat-resistantas the bearing and seals become hot when the machine is running at high temperature during the washing process;
• water-resistant .. If water gets on the bearing - it will have to be replaced, because it is not allowed. To avoid such a situation, you need an oil seal. It is the packing that prevents moisture from getting into the part. If the grease is washed out during the operation of the machine, the bearing will break;
• thick. This quality allows it not to leak during washing.
• not aggressive .. The lubricant must be suitable for the rubber. If it does not have the right properties or is a poor quality product, the stuffing box packing can become sagged or become soggy when using it. This again will lead to leakage.

Do not use automotive greases (Lithol-24, Azmol, etc.) due to their ineffectiveness.

What kind of grease to buy for washing machine bearings

1. Manufacturers of Indesit machines recommend using the grease Anderoll. You can buy either in a can (100 grams), or in a syringe.
2. On the market is a waterproof grease of Italian origin. Amplifon by Merloni..
3. The grease has good water resistance and heat resistance. Staburags nbu12.
4. German high quality silicone grease Liqui Moly Silicon-Fet Effective, but expensive. Sold in 50g quantities.
5. If you need to grease both the bearing and the oil seal, then the waterproof grease Huskey Lube-O-Seal PTFE Grease is an excellent choice and high quality.
6. Kluber Staburags NBU12 Sold up to 1kg. Distinctive in that it retains its viscosity up to 140 degrees.

What and Where to Lubricate

Not many people know that maintenance is required for bearingsBut oiling the oil seals is also a must. There is usually grease already in the bearings.

If this part is original, factory made and bought from a specialty store, you can put it in the car without additional treatment.

Otherwise, the questionable quality necessarily requires pre-treatment, because cheap materials and grease, among others, are usually used. It is better to renew it yourself.

Disassembling the washing machine

Lubrication of the bearing of the washing machine is not possible without disassembly, so the process of lubricating the internal parts is time-consuming.

It is necessary in order to get the tank with the drum, in which the part we need is located. Before the work, the technique is de-energized and disconnected from the water supply. The machine is put in place with free access to it. You will need pliers and screwdrivers.

1. Remove the top cover of the machine, which is held on the back by two bolts.
2. Pulls out The detergent compartment is pulled out..
3. Disconnect the wires from the board, and disconnect the control panel.
4. Using a slotted screwdriver to remove the clamp, which is removed by pressing on the spring. Then the edges of the rubber band is tucked into the drum, and cuff out.
5. The bottom panel is to be removed. It is fixed with latches.
6. Next, the front panel is removed. For this purpose the bolts behind the powder collector are unscrewed.
7. All wires and pipes which approach to the tank should be unhooked.
8. The removal of The pressostat with the wires and remove the front panel.
9. Both counterweights are removed to lighten the tank.
10. Removing tank from the springs by first unscrewing the shock absorbers. The tank is placed on the floor with the pulley up.
11. The belt is removed from the motor and then the motor itself.

If you can't disconnect or remove anything in the process, don't force it. You can pour WD-40 on the stuck screws and drill out the broken ones.

You need to pay attention to the tank. There are two types: collapsible and one-piece. If you have a washing machine Hotpoint-Ariston, for example, then most likely the tank is not collapsible. In this case you will have to saw it to get to the bearings. It is sawn with a metal hacksaw along the joint seam. The halves are put back together with bolts and sealant.

If the tank is demountable, you need to open it by unscrewing the bolts.

How to remove the bearings

So, the tank is disassembled.

Now you need to release the pulley of the drum.which is held in place by a nut. If the bolt does not want to unscrew, use WD-40. Next, remove the drum itself by rocking the pulley housing.

To separate the drum from the tank, carefully knock out the shaft. On both sides are the bearings in the seat, which must be knocked out.

Then an inspection is made: which bearing is worn or broken?

If damaged, you will have to buy a new bearing and oil seal.

How to grease the bearings in the washing machine? If there is no damage, then they are cleaned of dirt using the agent WD-40, wiped with a rag and then filled with grease. This kind of care for this part should be done once every five years.. If the bearing is collapsible, the protective cap is removed (a scalpel is handy) and the grease is applied to the inside of the part.

If the bearing is new, it does not have to be lubricated, unlike the oil seal. It is done simply by applying an even film of grease to the side that comes into contact with the bushing. The installation is done first and then the oil seals.

Without knowledge and experience in this kind of business, there is always the risk of damaging the drumThat will lead to a complete replacement of the washing machine. But despite this, it is quite realistic to cope with your own efforts.