Bosch washing machine shock absorber repair

To dampen body vibrations, which are felt when the drum rotates at high speeds, the machine is equipped with shock absorbers. Dampers are installed on some models - they perform the same function. Usually shock-absorbing elements are reliable and rarely break. If a breakdown occurs and the shock absorbers of a Bosch machine need repair, you can try to repair the machine yourself. Let us figure out how to remove and install new springs, what nuances you should know about.

What does Bosch use: shock absorbers or dampers?

A classic shock absorber has a simple design - it is a cylindrical part, inside it there is a piston, liners, a metal spring and a rod. There are no springs in the damper; they are placed separately and attached to the walls of the tank.

Bosch machines have two shock-absorbing elements, they are located at the bottom. Dampers do a better job of dampening tank vibrations. Since the springs are placed separately, they can be easily replaced if they fail.

Testing the part

You can check how well the shock absorbers function with your own hands. This does not require any special devices. It will be enough to do the following:

• Remove the top cover of the case by unscrewing the screws securing it,
• Press firmly on the tank. It is necessary that it “goes down” by about 5-6 cm,
• Suddenly stop pressing the knot,
• observe the “behaviour” of the tank. If it rises and “freezes,” the dampers do their job well. If the part continues to swing, the shock-absorbing elements will need to be replaced or repaired.

Failure shock-absorbing parts will affect the operation of the equipment. Their breakdown can be suspected by observing the following “symptoms”:

• Strong grinding, knocking, and creaking of the machine during washing, rinsing and spinning,
• Difficulty rotating the drum. This occurs in a situation where there is no lubrication in the shock absorber.

Usually, if the problem is with shock-absorbing parts, one of the following breakdowns occurs:

• Abrasion of the shock absorber liner or gasket. In some cases, the element can be repaired rather than buying new components,
• Mechanical defects resulting from careless transportation of the machine or manufacturing defects,
• Wear of the bolts fixing the dampers. The screw that holds the shock absorber in place simply falls out.

It does not matter what exactly happened to the shock absorbers. One way or another, the breakdown should be repaired as quickly as possible. Operating an automatic machine with faulty dampers is unacceptable.

Dismantling and installing the part.

How to remove shock absorbers? In fact, there is nothing complicated about it. To dismantle the dampers, you need to remove the “top” and the rear panel of the case, which is quite simple to do. On some Bosch models, you will have to “unhook” the front wall to gain access to the parts. Then the algorithm of actions will be as follows:

• Remove the lid from above. To do this, unscrew the two bolts, lightly press on it, and slide it back,
• Remove the detergent dispenser,
• Remove the lower decorative panel hiding the garbage filter,
• Unscrew the bolts securing the control panel. Carefully place it on top of the automatic machine so as not to break the wires connecting the part to the control module,
• Open the hatch door, remove the metal clamp holding the cuff, insert the elastic into the drum,
• Unscrew all the screws securing the front wall of the machine,
• Disconnect the hatch locking device from the body,
• Remove the front panel,
• Find the dampers. They are located below, under the washing tank,
• Unscrew the bolt securing the shock absorber or damper to the body (it may be necessary to remove the latch),
• Remove the shock-absorbing elements.

Then you need to examine the disconnected shock absorbers and see what exactly is broken. You may not need to purchase new spare parts; repairing the part will suffice. If not, all that remains is to purchase and install serviceable components by performing the described steps in reverse order.

Repair or change dampers?

Is it advisable to immediately buy new components, especially if only one shock absorber is broken? You can try to save money and repair the damper yourself. Usually, you just need to replace the liner located inside. However, if the problem is spring stretching or mechanical damage, only replacement will help.

If you study the forums on this topic, you can conclude that repairing the damper does not always give the expected effect. In one case, after such intervention, the machine works properly for several more years, in another, it breaks down after two or three washes. In order not to waste time and effort on disassembling and assembling the machine, it is better to immediately buy new shock-absorbing elements and install them instead of worn ones.

Replacing dampers on a Bosch washing machine yourself will cost about 3-4 thousand Rupees. It is better to buy high-quality, original parts and not experiment with analogues. Then the machine will work for more than one year after repair.