DIYbanter - View Single Post - Replacing bearings on Zanussi Washer-Dryer

wrote:
Hi All,

I need to replace the bearing on my WDS1183W Zanussi Washer-dryer.
I've read a few posts about doing it, and I still think I'd like to
give it a shot!

Alan wrote:
Hi,

I've recently replaced the bearings on my Zanussi myself.
Assuming your model is similar to mine then yes, you need to take the
whole drum out and then split the outer drum leaving you with the inner
drum and the back half of the outer.

It certainly sounds similar - I've seen some others talk about having
to split the inner and outer drums for my model, so I would imagine it
would be the same.

Removing the inner drum from the back outer drum is the hardest part.
Remove the pulley from the back and then screw a suitable screw/bolt
fully into the hole to protect the shaft/hole (I used an allen screw -
it was a strange thread). You can then either get someone to hold the
whole thing up by the outer drum or support the outer drum above the
ground on blocks so that you can knock the two apart. This was very
hard to do. Be careful not to damage the shaft.
Once apart, removing the inner bearing was also difficult because the
shaft was very rusty. Despite cleaning it very thoroughly, I couldn't
pull the bearing off (even using my trusty "octopus" - an ancient but
brilliant bearing puller - a top 5 tool in fact). Eventually, I smashed
the outer race with a hammer and then just cut through the inner race
with a grinderette to remove it.
I put the bearings into the outer drum first and used a big nut & bolt
with suitable sized washers to pull the bearings together tightly into
the drum. I then used a longer allen screw, washer and a big socket to
draw the shaft through the bearings by tightening the screw - hard to
describe but the socket fitted around the bearing housing and the end
of the shaft was drawn into the end of the socket. If this makes no
sense and you still need help let me know and I'll do a diagram. It was
remarkably easy.

Wow - thanks for the detailed reply Alan! This is really helpful, as
it has given me a lot of pointers. I'm not sure whether this is an
evening job, or whether I should leave it to a weekend, when I don't
have to rush! I think I will probably leave it until Saturday.

When I picked up a bearing set from my local repair place they also
recommended a gasket for between the 2 halves of the outer drum. In the
end I decided the extra cost was probably worth it to save me having to
open it up again but a few weeks after, (when I had to open it up again
to remove a stone which had got jammed between the drums), I didn't
bother replacing it and it still sealed fine. YMMV.

The bearing set came with two metal bearings and a rubber seal - is
this what you mean by the gasket, or is that something extra?

Let us know how you get on.

Alan.

Will do - I may take the back off the washer in the meantime to have a
good look, and 'familiarise' myself with everything - may come back
with questions after that if you don't mind! :-)

Cheers,
Colin.