whirlpool washing machine drum bearings

[dustybin]

can you please tell me whats involved in replacing drum bearings in a whirlpool washing machine model AWM321. I have removed four bolts from what looks like a bearing housing at the back of the drum but this housing will not budge! There is a slight leak here so maybe the housing is siezed because of some corosion. If I have to remove the drum are there any resealing issues?
many thanks

[Penguin45]

Re: whirlpool washing machine drum bearings

Oh, boy, you’ve picked a good one here……..

Penguin45 wrote:Bearings on an AWM 321 are mounted in a bolt-on hub assembly in the back of the tub. The idea is to save you time by not having to pull and split the tub.

Sorry, easier than typing it all out again. If it won’t break free, you’ll need some sort of puller as used by motor mechanics for pulling hubs and bearings. Have you tried knocking the shaft through and free (do not bray shaft directly – protect it with a bolt before walloping it)? Sometimes releases it.

Regards,
Penguin45.

[dustybin]

Re: whirlpool washing machine drum bearings

thanks for the reply
i did move the shaft but only by a few mm, because of movement of the drum against the front of the bigger stationary drum (at least thats not seized).
good to know im on the right track, thanks again for your help.

[clivejameson]

Re: whirlpool washing machine drum bearings

It helps if you hold the bearing spider with one hand pulling at it, the other should be ‘persuading’ the drum shaft to co-operate with vigorous use of a club hammer 😉 (I would recommend the use of protective gloves, or sixteenth century gauntlet if you think you might hit your hand :lol:)

Like Penguin says, insert a bolt into the end of the shaft first because if you burr over the end it never will go through the old bearings and then you’re in deep trouble…..

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