How to Replace LG Washing Machine Motor Brushes

Due to the fact that modern LG washing machines are produced with inverter brushless motors, there simply cannot be any problems with the brushes in such a machine. However, replacing the brushes on an LG washing machine may be relevant if you are still using old-style equipment with a collector motor installed. Over the entire period of operation of such a washing machine, you may never encounter such a problem, because the brushes there usually work for 12-15 years. If you are unlucky and the brushes fail, then our article today, dedicated to replacing this element, will help.

Dismantling the engine

It is so important to replace the motor brushes because if you do not do this, the electric motor of the "home assistant" can break down after just a few working cycles due to worn carbon tips. At the same time, replacing the motor is an extremely expensive repair, especially in comparison with the cost of installing two brushes. Therefore, let's start dismantling the damaged elements, for which you will first have to remove the motor from the washing machine.

• Disconnect household appliances from the power supply and water supply.
• Remove the back wall of the washing machine body using a regular screwdriver.
• The machine's motor is located at the bottom, directly under the tank.
• Remove the drive belt by simultaneously turning the pulley and pulling it towards you.
• Release the engine from the belt.
• Disconnect all wires going to the electric motor.
• Remove the retaining bolts, of which there may be up to four, and then carefully remove the extremely heavy engine.
• Not only is the motor very heavy, so you need to be prepared to remove it, but it is also relatively difficult to remove - to do this, you need to pull it towards you, rocking it in different directions.

This completes the first stage of work. You need to inspect the part for damage, plus wipe off dust and other dirt. After a little cleaning, put the motor on a flat, light place so that it is convenient to replace the motor brushes.

Description of the progress of work

At this point, you need to go to a home appliance store to get brushes if you haven't bought them yet. You can dismantle and use the old parts as an example to avoid buying the wrong item, or simply tell the sales assistant the model of your home appliance so that he can select the brushes. Once everything is ready, get to work.

• Turn the engine on its side and remove all retaining screws.
• Locate the brushes located on both sides of the element body.
• Remove them one by one by pressing the lever of the part with a screwdriver.
• Inspect the brush, the carbon part of which should not be less than 1.5 centimetres. If it is smaller, then the brushes need to be changed, and if it is larger, then the shaking and noise of the washing machine is due to something else.
• Be sure to sand the motor surface with 0-grit sandpaper and a rag to remove any scuffs, dirt, or scratches.
• Install the new brushes in place.

In a situation where you don't have completely new brushes in a special case, you can replace only the carbon part. In this case, the instructions will be as follows:

• Disassemble the plastic case,
• Unsolder the worn plate using a soldering iron, remove it, and straighten the spring,
• Measure the length of the new brush and make sure it fits the plastic housing perfectly,
• Tin, clean the contacts, straighten the wire and insert the coal, using the bronze guide as a guide,
• Next you need to solder the wires and snap the structure into place,
• If the brush has play in the guide, carefully press it with pliers so that it does not whistle during washing,
• Install the motor back using our instructions from section one in reverse order. Pay close attention to all the fixing screws so that none of the components in the machine are loose.

Once the LG washing machine is reassembled, all that remains is to conduct a small test. To do this, turn on a quick wash with spin and listen carefully to the operation - if the electric motor works loudly, but without a clear crackling sound that resembles sand friction, then the repair was successful.

What do the experts advise?

If you want to replace the engine brushes and forget about them for decades, then you should follow a number of recommendations from service center specialists. If you follow these rules exactly, even a person without experience can handle such repairs at home.

• Select brushes accurately. It is best to dismantle damaged parts and take them with you to the store to buy exactly the same ones. Today, various analogues from third-party companies are common on the market, but it is recommended to buy only original and new parts.
• Brushes should always be replaced in pairs so that they match each other perfectly. This is true even if only one brush has failed.
• Check the electric motor at least once every six months – it should not be dirty, and the carbon tip of the brushes should be longer than 1.5 centimeters.
• After replacing the brushes, take care of them and do not load the drum to the maximum - for the first ten or so working cycles, try to wash only half of the maximum possible volume.
• Carefully monitor your “home assistant”, paying attention to sudden stops in washing, poor quality of clothes spinning, the formation of unpleasant crackling, whistling, sparks and the smell of burning during operation.

Removing old brushes and installing new ones is a simple process if you follow our instructions. Be patient, follow each step carefully, and don't forget about safety precautions, and then you will definitely succeed.