Heater element stuck

[Stu]

My hotpoint washing machine heater element won't come out despite undoing the central bolt & tapping it through. The element comes out so far but appears to be catching on something inside that won't allow it to come completely out.

Can you advise please

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hi Stu. I’ve had them catching on an underwire from a bra several times before. It can tangle up with it. 

You could take off the sump hose and see if you can feel anything. 
 

This article may help - how to take out the heating element from a washing machine

There’s no other access, so if you can’t get it out it would have to be stripped down, although a lot of drums can’t be taken apart any more