Washing Machine Bearings Keep Failing

[benirving1985]

I have had my hotpoint wt761 for about 8 years now and replaced the drum bearings for the first time about 3 years ago. From then I have had to replace them each year. I found on the last replacement that water was leaking passed the seal and corroding the bearings - causing them to fail. I have also replaced the spider.

Is there anything else I can do to reduce the water leaking passed the seal, or is this just something I'm going to have to deal with?

Thanks in advance.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Replacing drum bearings is a big job. Hotpoint drum bearing failure is relatively common, but they shouldn't fail that often. They virtually always fail because the seal protecting them lets in water. This seal should always be replaced, and Hotpoint recommended always replacing the drum spider too, which I always did. The main thing likely to be causing the constant failure is if by any chance you aren't always replacing the bearing seal, or are missing something or not quite doing something right. Fitting cheap copies of the parts won't help but even then they would normally last longer. I'd give up on it or at least make sure you use genuine bearings and seal - Genuine Hotpoint drum bearings and seal

[benirving1985]

I have always replaced the whole bearing kit, including the seal. And I'm sure I've always bought 'genuine' hotpoint spares, according to the seller. I know it's a big job but it's not hard once you know what you're doing. I would get a new machine but I can't justify a £250 spend instead of a £20 repair, I think I'll wait until a few parts go at the same time.

Thanks for the reply.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hi. I used to get failures before I started replacing the drum spider as well so I'd always replace that. I wouldn't wait if they are going again because if the front drum bearing collapses it can be extremely hard or even impossible to get the outer race out of the plastic tub. It's not so bad if they are just starting to sound a bit noisy but if they are rumbling and sounding really noisy they can collapse eventually.

[benirving1985]

Thanks for the info, I didn't know that. I'm planning on replacing the bearings soon anyway.