How to change the cuff on a Bosch Maxx 5 washing machine

It is clear that replacing the rubber seal in the washing machine is a procedure that some users may never encounter, while others will change the part once a year. This is due to the fact that usually the cuff on the Bosch Maxx 5 washing machine needs to be changed either due to natural wear of the element as a result of active use, or due to banal carelessness of the user who left a sharp object in the drum.

Regardless of the cause of the damage, it is necessary to change the element without delay, because with a damaged cuff the system will not be hermetic, which means that the owner of the home assistant risks damaging the floor covering, as well as flooding the neighbors below. We will tell you how to do it correctly at home.

Let's prepare a new part

The procedure for replacing the cuff does not take much time and does not require any special equipment or special skills, so any user can cope with this task. Especially if he follows our detailed instructions. First of all, you need to find and buy a new rubber seal that will perfectly fit your household appliance. The easiest way is to remove the damaged cuff to take it to the store as an example.

If you do not have a cuff on hand, then to make the search easier, you can tell the sales consultant the name of your Bosch washing machine. The exact model name can be found in the user manual, as well as on the sticker located on top of the SM hatch. It is better to take a photo of the factory nameplate so that all the necessary information is always at hand.

After purchasing a spare part, you need to prepare a basic set of tools that can be found in any home. It includes only an ordinary minus screwdriver, pliers, and soap with a sponge. Having prepared all this, proceed to dismantling.

Correct removal of damaged part

The damaged element is very easy to remove if you know the process well. The cuff is fixed in the housing with two plastic rings, so to dismantle it is necessary to remove the outer and inner clamps secured with latches. How to do it?

• Disconnect the appliance from the power supply.
• Open the door.
• Locate the outer clamp, which on some washing machines is made of plastic.
• Use a screwdriver to loosen its latch by hooking the spring and then pulling the ring to the side.
• Remove the outer clamp from the washing machine.
• Remove the lower trim panel CM.
• Remove the powder drawer.
• Remove the screws that secure the control panel.
• Remove the panel carefully to avoid accidentally disconnecting or damaging the wiring.
• Remove the bolts that secure the front panel of the machine body.
• Carefully remove the panel so as not to tear out the wires from the hatch locking device.
• Using the same screwdriver, you need to loosen the latch of the inner clamp and remove the ring.
• Finally, remove the rubber seal from the housing.

Once you have the element in your hands, examine it carefully. This will help you understand the cause of the damage so that you can prevent such a situation from occurring in the future. After the analysis, you need to start replacing the cuff.

We stretch a new elastic band

Unlike the previous stage of dismantling, this may cause some difficulties for beginners. This is due to the fact that installing a new cuff is much more difficult than dismantling a damaged one. Firstly, you need to be more careful not to accidentally damage the part, and secondly, it requires much more force to place the rubber seal on the seat. What to do for this?

First, thoroughly wash the groove with a sponge and soap. This will remove all dirt and foreign objects that may have gotten there. However, you should not remove the soap solution later, because the foam will simplify the installation of the rubber element.

• Locate the mounting mark on the new spare part.
• Connect this icon on the rubber band with the pictogram on the body of the washing machine.
• Place the cuff into the recess prepared for it.
• Pull the rubber seal around the circumference of the seat.
• Replace the inner clamp to secure the part.
• Return the front wall of the CM, the dashboard, the drawer for household chemicals, and the lower decorative panel.
• Place the outer edge of the rubber band onto the protrusion of the drum.
• Finally, position the outer retaining collar so that the spring of the ring faces downwards.

After this, the home assistant will be restored and ready for fruitful work. Run a test work cycle and watch it carefully to make sure the system is tight. Any short program, such as Rinse, will do well for this. If the work cycle goes without any problems, then the repair is completed successfully.

What causes the sunroof rubber to deteriorate?

Of course, replacing the cuff takes no more than an hour, even taking into account the time spent on going for a spare part. However, it is better to avoid frequent disassembly of the equipment, especially since the rubber seal can last as long as the washing machine itself - about 10-15 years. Therefore, it is better to take care of this element, like any other unit of household appliances. To do this, you should know the main causes of damage to the cuff.

• Excessive friction. If you regularly exceed the maximum permissible load of the drum, the laundry packed in the container will begin to rub against the gasket more strongly. Buttons with rivets on the clothes will also have a detrimental effect, as they will scratch the elastic.
• Cheap household chemicals. If you use low-quality detergents with an aggressive composition, then not only the cuff will wear out much faster, but also other rubber parts of the CM.
• Sharp foreign objects. Housewives often forget objects in their pockets that can harm their house helper. These can be coins, keys, hairpins, paper clips and much more.
• Errors during replacement of the cuff. Also, the element is often damaged during replacement, for example, the user can accidentally scratch the part with a screwdriver. That is why you should very carefully install the spare part in its seat.
• Pets: Since the machine must be left open for several hours after each work cycle, it can become a target for a cat or dog, which can easily scratch or chew the rubber part.
• Mistakes when loading clothes. If you load and unload the laundry too roughly, you can accidentally damage the rather fragile rubber band.
• Mold. Finally, the failure of the cuff is possible due to the formation of mold and fungus on it. They can appear due to violation of the recommendations for airing and cleaning the machine after each wash.

As you can see, the rubber part can be damaged due to many reasons, so you should handle your home assistant very carefully so that it does not break down prematurely. Compliance with standard precautions extends the service life of the cuff and the washing machine itself not even by months, but by years. Therefore, if you notice the first signs of damage to the rubber seal, you should start repairing it as soon as possible to prevent more serious consequences and money costs.