Bearings? Blomberg 1501AAA

[chris_14]

I have a Blomberg 1501AAA washing Machine, about 6 years old, that works OK but has started making a rumbling noise when turning. Moving drum round by hand makes a screeching sound. It also is putting grey greasy marks onto clothes and shaving off fine strips of grey rubber (I guess from the door seal).

This seemed to me to suggest drum bearings, so I have taken machine to bits. Unfortunately the bearings seem OK. No movement detectable with my fingers, full of grease, no water inside. Shaft seems perfect.

Is it possible the bearings do need replacing? I presume I should replace the bearing seal anyway. Anything else that could be causing the symptoms?

(I have to say that this Blomberg seems very well made and put together; easy to work on.)

[Dales-Electronic]

Re: Bearings? Blomberg 1501AAA

Could be your drum bearings, perhaps drain pump or motor bearings all of which should be available from shop@ on the navigation bar to your left.

[helo_75]

Re: Bearings? Blomberg 1501AAA

if the bearings seem ok, and the actual shaft seems ok, then the likeley problem will be the actual spider itself

one of the legs may have broken, that would explain taking chunks out of the seal

not an easy job, and not cheap by any means

[chris_14]

Re: Bearings? Blomberg 1501AAA

I have got the machine in bits and the spider is OK. With the drive belt removed, the screeching noise still happened when the drum was rotated, so it was not the motor or the pump.

My question is — although the bearings do not LOOK damaged, is it likely they ARE worn and causing the symptoms? I cannot think of any other component that might be causing it — can anyone else suggest anything.

Should I just go ahead and replace the bearings anyway? (I’d estimate machine has done about 800 wash cycles since new, in 6 years).

[Penguin45]

Re: Bearings? Blomberg 1501AAA

Pop the seal in front of the front bearing. Any sign of water ingress will mean that you have grease being washed out of the bearing = noise.

spares@ukwhitegoods.co.uk will be able to supply you with a suitable replacement set.

Regards,
Penguin45.

[chris_14]

Re: Bearings? Blomberg 1501AAA

I have ordered new bearings.
When I fit the new bearings what grease should I use? (I have normal car type greases available).

[Penguin45]

Re: Bearings? Blomberg 1501AAA

The bearings themselves will be ZZ or ZR, so will be sealed and pre-packed with grease. A wipe of LM around the lips of the seal will prevent any little squeaky noises.

Penguin45.

[chris_14]

Re: Bearings? Blomberg 1501AAA

Thanks everyone. The bearings arrived quickly from WhiteGoods Spares. The old ones were easy to remove and the new ones pushed into place without any trouble. The machine is now much quieter, so this suggests the old bearings DID need replacing.

The old bearings and seal LOOK perfect No sign of water entry or rust. And moving them with fingers there is no detectable looseness. But the new bearings are an improvement.

Could I conclude that washing machine bearings do start wearing after after about 1000 wash cycles, and are best replaced? (at least for Blomberg 1501).

[Author]

Posts