WMA Bearing Seal

[Phidom]

I find it difficult to judge if the spider is OK when changing Hotpoint WMA drum bearings because it’s not obvious whether the seal is meant to seal against the shaft itself or the face of the casting. The casting face is not ground but the shaft does not have a bronze bush. It is a pain to change the spider as the screws corrode in and the Torx bits break easily. 😕

[Penguin45]

Re: WMA Bearing Seal

It runs on the shaft, so it should be absolutely smooth and no notches. Torx screws can be a real swine……

Chris.

[dpm]

It’s my experience that it’s well worth paying for better quality Torx bits, as some of the cheaper ones are more brittle. That’s the only downside of Torx; damn all chance of cam-out means it IS easier to overtorque them. Might be worth looking at the torsionzone style bits from Wera and the like.

Also well worth hitting the bit as sharp a tap as you can without damaging anything, with the intention of breaking the rust-hold.
(Apologies if you already do this, but I’m sure there are plenty out there who haven’t had experience in the motor trade…)

[mbdas]

Re: WMA Bearing Seal

Ive replaced a few drum spiders and have stripped the heads off the drum bolts and broken torx bits i now quote for replacing to bolts and drill them out with a good drill bit as the heads are quiet soft and its quicker than struggling with them
mark

[Phidom]

Re: WMA Bearing Seal

Thanks folks. I change the bearings themselves rather than the half drum. I dread to think what I would have to charge if I fitted a new half drum, new spider and new spider screws. I suppose in such cases it would be cheaper for the customer to get Hotpoint in and have the spares on the 5 year parts warranty.

[Author]

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