How to change a bearing in a Miele washing machine

Today, many users, in order not to overpay, try to repair household appliances themselves. Most problems can be solved at home, without the help of a specialist. What to do if you need to replace a bearing in a Miele washing machine? How difficult is such a repair? Will it be possible to install new components yourself? Let's investigate the nuances.

Get out the toolbox

The work of replacing the bearings and seal of the washing machine is quite labour-intensive. This is explained by the location of the parts - they are located on the drum shaft. To gain access to the bearing unit, you will have to almost completely disassemble the washing machine.

You won't be able to disassemble the automatic machine with your bare hands; you'll need tools. The following will be required during the work:

Phillips and slotted screwdrivers (ideally a universal screwdriver with different attachments);

• Screwdriver,
• Flat-nose pliers and round-nose pliers,
• Small hammer,
• Set of wrenches,
• A punch or chisel with a blunt tip.

It is also worth having a moisture-resistant sealant and universal cleaning liquid WD-40 on hand - it will be needed if some parts or bolts "stick" to the seat. Several dry rags, a low basin and rubber gloves will come in handy.

Of course, you need to buy new bearings and a seal. Usually, the components are sold together with grease, as a ready-made repair kit. You can buy spare parts in specialized offline stores or order them online.

To avoid mistakes, you can dismantle the old bearings and show them to the seller in the store. Based on the markings, it will not be difficult to select similar parts. It is better not to save money, but to buy high-quality components.

The washing machine itself must also be prepared for work. Before disassembling the body, the machine must be disconnected from the power supply, water supply and sewerage. The next step is to drain the remaining water from the system through the waste filter. After that, you can proceed directly to the repair.

We remove everything that prevents the tank from being removed.

It is worth understanding that the work ahead will not be easy. In order to change the bearing, you will have to pull the tank out of the SMA housing. This means one thing - almost complete disassembly of the washing machine will be required.

If you are disassembling the washing machine for the first time, it is better to take photos of all stages of the work. This will help you avoid making mistakes when installing parts in their original place, connecting chips and wires. If you mix up the contacts, you can burn out all the electronics, so extra care is required.

So, first you need to remove all the elements that interfere with the removal of the tank. Algorithm of actions:

 

• Remove the top cover of the housing by unscrewing the bolts holding it,
• Remove the detergent drawer from the washing machine,
• Remove the front panel of the machine,
• Also remove the side walls - they are held in place with torx 20 screws,
• Disconnect the side shock absorbers from the tank on both sides,
• Unscrew the bolts securing the engine, remove the motor,
• Unhook the powder receiver pipe from the tank,
• Remove the counterweights from the machine,
• To make it easier to remove the tank, completely detach the drain pipe and valve from it (they are secured with a pair of bolts),
• Disconnect the pressure switch tube,
• Disconnect the recirculation pipe.

It is better to take the tank out of the Miele housing with two people, as it weighs about 40 kilograms. To take the container out of the washing machine, unhook the upper shock-absorbing springs, there are 4 of them. Then the tank is placed on a flat horizontal surface for further disassembly.

The tank is placed on the floor or tabletop with the crosspiece facing up. Further actions will be performed with this part of the structure. It remains to remove the pulley and remove the crosspiece, knocking out the drum rod.

We change bearings according to the instructions

The drum has been removed from the machine, which means that a third of the work has already been done. However, you should not relax. The drum crosspiece is held by 8 screws. Remove them so that they do not interfere with the dismantling of the part. The next step is to remove the pulley, it is fixed with one bolt.

Once the pulley is removed, access to the outer bearing will be available.

Next, you need to remove the crosspiece from the drum shaft. To do this, place a bolt in the center of the structure. Then hit the screw with a hammer several times and pull the crosspiece off.

Both bearings will be in the removed crosspiece. Now you need to knock the metal rings out of the seat. To do this, use a chisel with a blunt tip or a punch, and a hammer.

First, knock out the outer ring, then the inner ring . The punch can only rest against the outer bearing race. The direction of the metal rod should be constantly changed. Hammer blows should be careful and precise. The seal is pried off with a flat screwdriver.

The seat on the crosspiece and the rod must be cleaned of rust and dirt. Only after this can you begin pressing in new bearings. The sequence of actions will be as follows:

• Put the outer bearing in place, carefully press it in with a punch and a hammer (you can only press against the outer race of the ring),

• Turn the cross over,
• Put the inner bearing back in place and tap it with a hammer,
• Place the seal on top of the inner bearing,
• Press the seal in with a hammer,
• Apply a sufficient amount of grease to the inner surface of the seal - there is no need to skimp here, the layer must be dense,
• Place a dust cover on top (it acts as a second seal). It is better to fit the part with silicone sealant.

This grease will protect the bearing unit from water, detergents and high temperatures. The "Hydro 2" product is very viscous and almost does not wash out. This is the best solution for Miele washing machines.

Now you can start reassembling the tank. Instructions for action:

• Clean the drum rod from rust and plaque,
• Put the crosspiece back in place,
• Secure the drum pulley,
• Secure the crosspiece with bolts on all four sides.

After this, it remains to correctly assemble the Miele washing machine. The elements are put back in place in the reverse order. First, the tank is returned to the body and hung on the springs. Next:

• Clean the drain valve from scale,
• Connect the drain valve and pipe,
• Put the heating element, motor, pressure switch tube, recirculation pipe, and counterweights back in place,
• Secure the lower shock absorbers,
• Rotate the washing machine drum by hand, make sure that it rotates smoothly and silently,
• Assemble the case by installing the side panels, front wall and top cover,
• Insert the powder receptacle,
• Connect the machine to the water supply and sewerage system.

Next, be sure to run a test cycle without laundry in the drum. The "Rinse + Spin" mode is ideal. Watch the machine's operation carefully. The washing machine should not knock or make noise. Make sure that the machine does not leak. If everything is fine, the repair of the "home assistant" can be considered complete.

Changing bearings on a Miele machine is much easier than on some other brands of washing machines. The rings are located in the crosspiece, so you don’t need to disassemble the washing machine tank. You can easily handle this kind of work yourself, the main thing is to follow the instructions.