"Sealed for life" Washing Machine Bearings

[JamesV6CDX]

Hi Folks, hope everyone is well. I'd like to ask a question of any home-appliance DIY'ers please.

My washing machine - it's a Zanussi, and is 9 years old. It started making a horrific noise on spin, and it became clear the bearings were knackered.

So, I watched a video online about how to remove the tub from the machine, split it, and get to / change the bearings. It looked simple enough, so I thought I'd have a go. I contacted a couple of parts places, to buy the bearings and seal, and was told "you can't repair that machine, sealed for life mate".

Being me, I thought (just like with "sealed for life" autoboxes), there must be a way to get to, and service the parts. I took the machine apart, and removed the tub. This is a plastic tub and the two halves have been glued / welded together, preventing easy separation (and therefore access to the bearings). So, I took a fine reciprocating saw, and slowly worked all around the seam. It has separated nicely, and I have found a good way to seal it using Vauxhall grey sealant, and a combination of nuts, bolts, and some "mezz clamps" around the flanges.

I have removed the bearings, and they are knackered.

The problem I have found, however, is that they seem to be a totally non-standard size! Measuring them, they are totally different dimensions to any other washing machine bearings out there. I also can't seem to find the bearings from a generic bearing supplier!

If anyone can help me on where to obtain some bearings, I'd be most grateful.

The dimensions  are

Front bearing - 60mm external diameter, 26mm internal

Rear bearing - 50mm external diameter, 26mm internal.

I cannot find any bearings, anywhere, with these dimensions!

I have no doubt this, alongside the "sealed for life" tub, is simply a ploy from the manufacturer, to make me go and buy a new £400 machine, rather than repair my otherwise perfectly good washing machine for the sake of a beer token and a couple of hours work! As well as not wanting to shell out if I don't have to - I like to fix things - especially after I'm told they can't be fixed!

Seems criminal they can get away with it. So much for being "environmentally friendly" 

If anyone knows where I can obtain such bearings, I'd be extremely grateful

[Lizzie Zoom]

I just have all my white appliances covered by Domestic & General.

When a machine breaks down, after a quick phone call a nice engineer turns up and carries out the necessary repairs, or if that is not possible, I get a new appliance. No worry, no sweat, for a modest sum every month.

Just buy a new machine James and a D&G policy

[Doctor Gollum]

£4-500 every 9-10 years is hardly budget busting...

Although I appreciate the make do and mend approach has a certain appeal...

[Doctor Gollum]

Such policies have their uses, but are generally a waste of money...

Save the premium and the new machine will pay for itself. £15 a month saved will buy a new appliance every three years.

[JamesV6CDX]

Totally agree it's had a good life and owes me nothing. But, I can't help the fact I want to do the make do and mend route. Always have, always will.

I just need the bearings 👍🏻

[Doctor Gollum]

Faceachebook market place for a donor Zanussi

[YZ250]

We've just replaced our four year old Hotpoint washing machine for the same reason as James. It washed fine but sounded like a jet taking off when in spin mode, the drum bearings were shot. I enjoy tinkering and fixing things, except for white goods. 

Reference Cover Policy's :

We had a Domestic and General policy on it but we've decided to just buy a new machine as and when required in future. The D&G policy crept up from £5 per month to over £14 per month. If you cancel the policy mid term, you have to pay for any repairs in full for that year. In their defence, they did respond to call-outs quickly, it's just that I don't require their services anymore. It was the D&G premium constantly increasing that made us decide to cancel and just buy new when needed. 

Such policies have their uses, but are generally a waste of money...

Save the premium and the new machine will pay for itself. £15 a month saved will buy a new appliance every three years.

I agree.    When our D&G premium was at a lowly £5 per month it was possibly worth it, but definitely not at the higher premium. Incidentally, when I phoned to cancel the policy, they immediately lowered it to £7 per month, but we still weren't interested. So much for loyalty. 

[Sir Tigger KC]

I bought a new Hotpoint washing machine directly from Hotpoint a couple of years ago for £199 including delivery and they took away my old one as well. 

Oh and I got £4.38 cashback from TopCashback as well! 

[Raeturbo]

Have you tried these?

           https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiv6KW0x7j2AhXegFAGHRDfD2wYABAlGgJkZw&ae=2&ohost=www.google.co.uk&cid=CAASEuRoKykX3wTqoeLikVj5GOnliQ&sig=AOD64_3P13tSegjy8bBkhAKufmO17Xb0OA&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwjbqp-0x7j2AhWLi1wKHf2VBVMQ0Qx6BAgFEAE

[Lizzie Zoom]

Such policies have their uses, but are generally a waste of money...

Save the premium and the new machine will pay for itself. £15 a month saved will buy a new appliance every three years.

Wrong again!

I pay just £3.85 for my washing protection, and as with all my D&G policies, I get my money worth and peace of mind overall with what I get back.

[TheBoy]

The other issue with those type of bearings it you often have to replace the spider as well, and modern ones are not easy to replace.  A complete drum (or half drum, depending on design) is the correct repair...   ...though arguably not worth it.


We now just buy the cheapest that has a (proper, not like Hotpoint) 5yr warranty, and if its knackered after that, get a new one.  As it happens, our current one is Hotpoint.

The other advantage of cheap ones is they tend to come from places not yet taken over by the lentil brigade, so wash at decent temperatures, that clean better and faster, and don't allow black deposits to build up on the rubber components.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Pretty sure our washing machine was about £230.

They last about 5-7 years so an extended warranty doesn't seem like a good use of money to me.

Speaking of the dreaded 'extened warranty con' we were ever offered one a a £12.99 electric can opener from Argos.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I bought a new Hotpoint washing machine directly from Hotpoint a couple of years ago for £199 including delivery and they took away my old one as well. 

Oh and I got £4.38 cashback from TopCashback as well! 

Yep.....probably recycled from your old Marina.

I reckon some people spent far more on Calgon over a 5 year period than a new machine.

[STEMO]

Pretty sure our washing machine was about £230.

They last about 5-7 years so an extended warranty doesn't seem like a good use of money to me.

Speaking of the dreaded 'extened warranty con' we were ever offered one a a £12.99 electric can opener from Argos.

Is it difficult for you old hands to use a normal one these days?

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Pretty sure our washing machine was about £230.

They last about 5-7 years so an extended warranty doesn't seem like a good use of money to me.

Speaking of the dreaded 'extened warranty con' we were ever offered one a a £12.99 electric can opener from Argos.

Is it difficult for you old hands to use a normal one these days?

I don't use the tin opener, washing machine, cooker or hoover......but the fact that I purchased such items to make life easy for the fairer sex demonstrates what a kind and considerate man I am.