Making a banging noise, now won't rotate: (Whirlpool top loader). Advice appreciated!

[Sarah Lambert]

Hello,
My first time here and I wonder if someone can help me?
I have a Whirlpool AWE compact top loader and it stopped spinning. I found the drive belt on the floor when I moved the machine.
I removed the side panel and replaced the drive belt, but when I manually rotate the large drive wheel, I cannot complete  even one rotation without the belt snapping off the rim. There seems no way of keeping it in place (no raised edges to the large drive wheel for example.
What am I doing wrong? Please help me!! I need my washing machine back...
Many thanks in advance.
Sarah.

[Whitegoodshelp]

Hi. That's a front loader not top loader but this article covers all causes of belt keeps coming off washing machine

[Sarah Lambert]

Andy, it's definitely a top loader as I open the lid on top and put clothes in the drum which opens with a latch. This picture is a side view with a side panel removed. It does not have a door at the front.

 

[Whitegoodshelp]

OK no worries. The belt issue should still be the same

[Sarah Lambert]

Hello all.
I was very proud of myself for a short while; I fixed the drive belt in my Whilpool top loader ( I don't have a lot of room) and it worked for a short while. However, on spin, it started making a banging noise like there was a rock in the drum, and when the cycle finished, I found I could not open the drum door easily as it had shifted several centimeters towards the drive belt side when viewed from the front. It is almost impossible to turn the drum now and it was a miracle I got my clothes out of there. I am 73 year old woman, not weathy and a new washing machine would be difficult for me at the moment,
Could this be a bearing problem? Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Thank you,
Sarah

[Whitegoodshelp]

Yes, the drum bearings could have collapsed. Has it been noisy on spin? Making a deep rumbling sound?

Worn drum bearings are one of the 7 possible causes of a drive belt that keeps coming off (listed in the article I linked to on my first reply).