Re: noisy zanussi
Mal,
There are two concrete weights on your machine – one on the back and an entire circular (annular) one around the tub front. The front one can (and does break), but neither of them would affect the action of the drum. Your description of it being stiff to turn and the black spotting all point towards bearing failure.
This is a complete sod of a job, even for a professional! The casing must be split, the tank removed and split, the inner drum removed and then the bearings and seals replaced. Up here in Yorkshire (where we work for pence!) you’d be looking at £90 plus; bear in mind that there is a 50/50 chance that the shaft will be damaged as well, so add £35 to the bill and it’s all looking a bit expensive.
Zanussi’s tend to be decent machines – if it’s been trouble free so far, it’s probably worth doing, otherwise – move on.
If you check in the Directories section you may find a UKW engineer in your area, failing that, stick your postcode up in here and someone will pick up on it.
Regards,
Penguin45.