Replacing bearings in an LG washing machine

As most owners note, malfunctions of the LG washing machine occur very rarely. And thanks to the informative self-diagnosis system, many damages can be eliminated independently.

But there are a number of breakdowns that, due to their complexity, require certain skills and special devices.

One of these is the replacement of the drum bearing block. After all, in order to “get” to the bearings, you will have to completely disassemble the washing machine and “halve” the tank. As with all models, replacing the bearing in an LG washing machine has its own characteristics, some of which will be discussed in this short article.

Usually, it is not difficult to determine that the bearing assembly needs to be replaced: the washer begins to make strange sounds, a grinding or rumble is heard, and small “rusty” puddles can be found near the washer.

In addition, the machine refuses to wring things out, although it performs all other stages flawlessly. But this is only at the initial stage of bearing destruction.

In the future, the washing machine may not start at all, and drum loosening can be diagnosed by raising and lowering it by hand. In such cases, immediate replacement of the bearing in the LG washing machine is required.

After all, you can expect that a falling off drum will damage not only the tank, but also other elements of the washer and the cost of repairs will increase significantly.

Tool

To disassemble the housing and install bearings on an LG washing machine, you will need the following tools and accessories:

small light hammer. Preferably with a bronze or copper striker;
lubricant WD-40 or similar, as well as automotive or universal sealant;
pliers;
screwdrivers of various configurations (with straight and Phillips heads);
wrenches (open-end and socket) of various sizes and a small adjustable wrench.

You will also need a small pin with a diameter of 4 mm to knock out the drum axis.

How much does a master's work cost?

If you cannot cope with replacing the bearing on your own, you should contact a specialist. You can find a specialist by looking at an ad in a newspaper or on the Internet. Another option is to contact a service center. If the machine is under warranty, the repairs must be paid for by the manufacturer of the household appliance.

To minimize the risk of encountering scammers, you need to contact trusted professionals or large service centers with a positive reputation. You also need to check with a specialist in advance how much the repair will cost.

Buying bearings

Even from the same manufacturer, different models have bearings of different sizes. This is due to the different characteristics of washing machines (capacity and size of the drum, maximum spin speed, etc.).

To buy a bearing for an LG washing machine, you need to know the model of your washing machine or the markings of the bearings. Typically, sellers offer several versions of bearings of similar sizes, differing only in price. Considering that it is difficult to get to the bearing block of the washing machine drum, you should not buy the cheapest parts. It is better to choose an original bearing for an LG washing machine - this is a guarantee that it will last a long time.

Sometimes in a store, based on the name of the washing machine model, it is difficult to determine the dimensions of the bearings of LG washing machines. To make it easier to select the required part, we have prepared a table that includes bearing numbers for the LG washing machine, seal brand and drive belt type.

How to change brushes?

With a probability of 80%, it can be said that the breakdown of the commutator motor is associated with its brushes. The service life of brushes is about 3–5 years. If the washing machine is used intensively, replacement may be required even earlier - after two years. That is why the famous Korean company switched to inverter motors. This makes SMA more expensive, but also many times more reliable.

Any home craftsman can change the brushes. Taking into account the time required to dismantle the engine, the entire repair process will take at most half an hour. You can invite a specialist, but the service will cost you about 2,500 rubles. Yes, you will have to pay 500 rubles for the brushes. The asking price is 3000 rubles. But you can save money by replacing worn-out parts yourself:

Having disconnected the wiring from the terminal, press the contact to pull out the brush.
Assess the degree of wear of the element. Need to change? Then take a new spare part and put it in place. Lower the contact and connect the terminal.

For some time, the ED operates a little noisily while the new brushes are being ground in.

Stage 6. Freeing the tank from fasteners

After removing the front wall, access to all elements of the washing machine opens. Disconnect from the tank;

pipelines to the filling valve;
pipe to the drain pump;
rotor and wires to the stator (in direct drive models);
wires going to the heating element, temperature sensor and electric motor;
drainage pump wiring;
pressure sensor pipe.

We also dismantle both counterweights (larger in the upper part of the washer and smaller in the lower) and shock absorber mounts. After this, unhook the springs and pull the tank out of the washing machine body.

When does it need to be changed?

The following signs will indicate that it is time to replace the bearing in your washing machine:

Extraneous noise that occurs during washing or while rinsing clothes. This may include metallic clanging, knocking and grinding sounds.
Poor quality spinning. Due to the destruction of the bearings, the drum does not pick up speed, so the laundry remains wet.
Washing machine imbalance. When the drum rotates, it will sway violently from side to side.
Damage to the edges of the cuff. This may serve as an indirect sign of bearing wear.

You can determine that it’s time to change a part even without disassembling the washing machine. To do this, just unplug it, place your hand on the top of the drum and swing it. It should move with the tank on the springs, but there should be no play between them. If there is free play, it means the bearing has begun to deteriorate.

Stages of replacing the oil seal and bearings

Typically, replacing bearings on an LG washing machine is performed in the following sequence:

We remove the “old” oil seal from the rear “half” of the tank. You can use a small screwdriver for this;
uses the same pin as in the previous section, carefully knock the bearings out of their seats;
we clean the holes where the worn bearings stood from rust, grease residues and dirt;
carefully hammer the bearings into place, evenly tapping them with a hammer through the nozzle;
generously lubricate and install the oil seal;
we assemble the tank (before connecting the two halves, coat the seam with sealant).

In reverse order, we assemble the washing machine and test its operation.

How do you understand that you need to change the washing element?

A signal that the washing machine requires repair can be knocking, rustling and other extraneous sounds that appear during the washing process. Most often, they indicate that the bearing assembly, one of the main elements of the cross, has failed.

An unpleasant creaking and grinding sound that accompanies the entire washing process is a signal for immediate repair of household appliances. Such sounds most likely indicate deformation and destruction of the crosspiece.

Ignoring the problem can lead to even more serious damage and even complete failure of the washing machine.

A decision to repair or replace the crosspiece can only be made after a visual inspection of the part. If the cause of the knocking noise is wear of the bearing assembly, a partial repair can be carried out (replace the bearings and oil seal). The wear of the shaft and threads, mechanical damage (cracks, dents) require a complete replacement of the cross.

Common mistakes

Quite often, replacing bearings on your own in an LG washing machine ends in failure. And then, in addition to the usual cost of replacement, you have to pay for restoring the functionality of other components of the washing machine. Among the most common errors leading to additional repairs are:

broken wiring to the drum door lock module;
damage to the surface of the cuff seal (when trying to remove it without dismantling the clamp);
deformation of the pulley when removing it from the axle;
violation of the integrity of threads on bolted connections;
broken wiring to the heating element or temperature sensor;
violation of the tightness of the water inlet pipelines (when removed without loosening the clamps);
damage to the tank and drum due to careless removal or installation of bearings.

Considering that few washing machine owners have sufficient experience in performing repair work, it is more profitable to immediately contact a service center - it will not only be faster, but will also be cheaper.

When does it need to be changed?

The following signs will indicate that it is time to replace the bearing in your washing machine:

Extraneous noise that occurs during washing or while rinsing clothes. This may include metallic clanging, knocking and grinding sounds.
Poor quality spinning. Due to the destruction of the bearings, the drum does not pick up speed, so the laundry remains wet.
Washing machine imbalance. When the drum rotates, it will sway violently from side to side.
Damage to the edges of the cuff. This may serve as an indirect sign of bearing wear.

Contacting a service center is practical! Need proof?

The washing machine was restored on the day of the call.
You can call a technician to repair your washing machine until 23:00 on any day, weekends and holidays.
You will receive a complete diagnosis completely free of charge.
You will be offered original spare parts that are beyond doubt.
Doing work from home will not take much time.
You have in your hands a guarantee in accordance with GOST for everything that has been done and installed.
You save money with a flexible pricing policy that provides benefits and discounts.

You should not take on painstaking, troublesome work if you are not sure of success. Trust the experience of the master, and you will not have to regret your decision. Call!

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