AEG L14800 / PNC 91460151900 – Bearings gone?

I think that the bearings in my much loved AEG washer dryer have finally gone.

I had resigned myself to purchasing a new washer dryer but having read many of the Manufacturer and brand articles on here there doesn’t seem to be much hope of a long lasting, reliable and easily or affordably repairable machine these days so I am considering attempting a repair. I do not have room for 2 appliances so a washer dryer is my only option despite their issues.

Apart from the deafening noise on spinning and slightly sticky drum when spun by hand, the wash water has turned intermittently very dirty (not from the clothes, they are worn but not soiled). I am guessing that something is leaking from the bearings into the drum casing. I have pulled the machine out and removed the back half of the machine casing and there is a brown sludge liquid which has been leaking from the back of the centre of the drum casing/spider and onto the floor. There is also, unsurprisingly some damage to the drive belt grooves.

In order to remove the drum weights I need to remove the front half of the casing but the drum tub suspension springs are hooked into a metal bracket which is mainly attached to the front half of the metal casing. In the appliance parts diagrams it is in the command panel diagram just below the machine work top on the AEG spares website(no part number as it is not available). Will the drum shock absorbers be able to hold everything up until I can release the door seal etc and remove the front half of the casing? Or is there another way of doing this that I cannot see?

Despite the involved task of taking the machine apart, replacing the bearings themselves does not appear to be altogether difficult. As far as I can see I will need the full set of bearings and seal, a new drive belt and for good measure a new drum seal. I’m hoping someone can give me the order in which to dismantle things so that I can release the front panel or if the drum can be removed without removing the front panel even better (living in hope ;)). At least then I can get at the bearings and, as long as their failure has caused no other damage, my beloved machine can live on for a bit longer .