Hoover Hwb280-80 Bearings

[upinsmoke]

Hi,

please can somebody help?

Our HWB280-80 washer had worn bearing (the usual thuming noise, loose drum etc)

I order a bearing set, and new door seal and set to work. It was a real pain getting the whole tub out because the front ogf the machine is fixed so the tub has to be lifted through the top, but, that aside, once the tub was out I thought i could simply split it and remove the drum to get to the bearings.

How wrong I was!

The tub was stuck fast and took several hefty thumps of a hammer to remove the spindle from the bearings, one of which (the inner one) was completely broken.

Needless to say, thumping the spindle "mushroomed" the head so a new spider was bought, as well as a bearing kit.

Now, I couldn't compare the bearing kit and seal because the original was in such a bad way. So I dutifully fitted the rear bearing and then pondered over the inner bearing, which didn't look as if it would fit flush. None the less, I fitted it, slid the seal down the spider shaft and went to fit the tub back into the drum.

The spindle on the spider is a bit of an unusual shape so I wasn't too surprised when it took a bit of effort. But it stuck fast! Even though the bearings are in flat, there's no way on earth, even with the trusty mallet, I can get the spindle all the way through the tub, and now it is all stuck together.

In truth, I don't know if I've got the right bearing kit, I'm sure the spider is correct, but given the huge amount of effort to remove the drum from the tub I wondered if anyone out there could help please?

Thanks in advance

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

The bearing seal should be fitted over the front bearing before fitting the drum. The front bearing would normally fit deep enough to allow the bearing seal to fit over it.

[upinsmoke]

Thanks Andy, but there's barely enough room for the bearing in the HWB280, let alone a recess for the seal.

Would you know if I've got the wrong bearing set? The people at Hoovers new "advice" line were very uncooperative & I can't find any specific info relating to the HWB280.

Thanks again

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

If the bearing fits in I would think it's the right one. I can't say for certain it's not thicker somehow though I'd be surprised. Many modern washing machines are designed not to be repairable and the drum bearings can be difficult to fit. Many Hoover washing machines (amongst others) have sealed outer drums which are designed to be unrepairable. The front bearing should be knocked into place until it hits a recess and will not go further. It's a tricky job, and one slip of the punch can damage the bearing. You should be able to hear and feel when the bearing will go no further and by that time it should have recessed enough to make room for the bearing seal.

You should never (as you've discovered) hit the drum shaft with a metal hammer. Always use a mallet, or at least place some hardwood over it whilst you hit it.