What is the counterweight in a washing machine made of?

The heavy weight of automatic machines is a necessity. If the body is not weighted with special blocks, the washing machines will almost fall during operation. During spinning, the equipment experiences a huge impact of centrifugal force, so it can easily tip over. Let's figure out what the counterweight in the washing machine is made of. We will tell you where the weights are located and how they can be dismantled if necessary.

Counterweight material

Just 20-30 years ago, almost all washing machines were equipped with cast iron counterweights or steel blocks. For example, Vyatka-automatic washing machines, produced in the early 90s. Currently, metal weights can only be seen on premium German and Swedish equipment.

Concrete weights are not as durable as cast iron or steel blocks, but they are much cheaper than metal ones. Due to this, the cost of modern washing machines is reduced. The advantage of a concrete counterweight is the price, and the main disadvantage is rapid wear. The counterweight, which consists of concrete, is destroyed over time under the influence of vibrations. And they are always inside an actively working washing machine. Thus, cracks form on the weights, which gradually become larger.

A cracked concrete counterweight can simply split into several pieces and fall during the next wash. When falling, the fragments will “touch” some internal parts of the automatic machine, for example, the hatch locking device, pressure switch, interference suppression filter, etc. You will have to change not only the weight but also eliminate “collateral” damage.

It is clear that a counterweight made of concrete is not the best solution for washing equipment. But manufacturers, in order to make automatic machines as cheap as possible, will continue to equip equipment with such blocks for a long time.

You can buy a new weight in a specialized store, focusing on the model of the washing machine. We will tell you how to dismantle old counterweights.

Location of counterweights

It is very easy to find counterweights in an automatic washing machine. The easiest way to get to the upper weight. However, there are always more problems with dismantling this block. To "get to" it, you need to:

• De-energize the machine,
• Close the shut-off valve responsible for the water supply,
• Move the washing machine away from the wall to have free access to all sides of the body,
• Use a screwdriver to unscrew the two screws holding the top panel of the machine,
• Remove the housing cover by moving it slightly backwards and lifting it up.

The upper counterweight will be immediately in front of your eyes. It is necessary to inspect the block for defects. Next, you need to assess the condition of the front weights, for this you will have to remove the front wall of the housing. The further algorithm of actions will be as follows:

• Remove the powder receptacle,
• Unscrew the bolts located around the perimeter of the control panel,
• Unhook the dashboard from the body and carefully place it on the machine so as not to damage the wiring,
• Remove the lower false panel, behind which the dust filter is hidden, by prying it up with a screwdriver,
• Open the hatch door wide,
• Use a screwdriver to pry up the outer clamp holding the drum cuff and remove the ring,
• Tuck the sealing rubber inside the drum,
• Tilt the machine body back slightly, put your hand between the tank and the front wall, feel the UBL and disconnect the plug with the blocker contacts,
• Unscrew the screws holding the front wall,
• Remove the front panel.

Now you can inspect the front counterweights. If they have many cracks, the elements will have to be replaced. We will tell you how to remove damaged concrete weights to make room for new blocks.

Problem with removing counterweights

Removing the weights from most washing machines is very simple. To remove the counterweights, simply use a socket wrench or head to remove the bolts that secure the blocks. Once the screws are removed, the concrete elements must be pulled out of the housing.

Owners of washing machines will have a slightly more difficult time. On models of this brand, counterweights are fixed with special bolts, standard socket wrenches do not fit them. All that remains is to design a special tool with your own hands.

To make a special key you will need:

• A metal tube with a cross-section of 20-22 mm and a length of at least 20 cm,
• Drill,
• Hacksaw for metal,
• Screw 4*16,
• Soldering iron.

One end of the tube in the middle must be sawn to a depth of 5 cm. On the other end, a 2 cm hole should be drilled, and a 4*16 screw should be screwed into it. The bolt should be welded from the inside. The homemade device will easily hook onto the counterweight fastener and make it easier to dismantle the weights.