Washing Machine Repair. Is it Worth it ?

[colin H]

Hello Folks

We have a 15 year old LG washing machine. It's been very reliable and taken a lot of hammer and only been repaired a couple of times

However were getting noise from the drum and I think the bearing might be on the way out

Is it worth getting a quote for a repair, or would I be better off going for a replacement

Much appreciated
Colin

 

[Old Salt]

I bought a replacement washing machine over the weekend. Purchased Saturday, delivered Sunday, dont bloody work! Engineer booked for Friday.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

However were getting noise from the drum and I think the bearing might be on the way out

Is it worth getting a quote for a repair, or would I be better off going for a replacement

Worth paying someone to repair - no.

Well worth you DIY'ing, if it's not an entire drum replacement job, with replaceable bearings/seals - around £20-£25.

 

[colin H]

Worth paying someone to repair - no.

Well worth you DIY'ing, if it's not an entire drum replacement job, with replaceable bearings/seals - around £20-£25.

Thanks . I might have a look . I know they're not all the same but is it generally easy to get the old bearing out , or do you need pulling tools ect ?

 

[colin H]

I bought a replacement washing machine over the weekend. Purchased Saturday, delivered Sunday, dont bloody work! Engineer booked for Friday.

What ? Brand new ? What make was it ? I'll make a mental note to avoid .

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I know they're not all the same but is it generally easy to get the old bearing out , or do you need pulling tools ect ?

Just the usual tools, mine tapped out with a screwdriver and hammer.

See if you can find a Youtube vid, for the model..

 

[Munroast]

probably by a new bearing for a few quid, so well worth doing if a job like this is in your skill set

as harry says above, getting a professional to do it could be very expensive in call out + labour charges. so probaly not worth it

 

[Mottie]

Pretty sure when I used to change them on our old Hotpoint, they came complete with the spider.

 

[endecotp]

First, find out whether the bearing is replaceable and available.

I wasted a lot of time dismantling my old washing machine and attempting to remove the bearing - and then realised that the replacement I had purchased was totally different, and that it was in fact not replaceable. Hint: if only one of the spare parts suppliers says the part exists and the others don't know about it, it could be an error in their database!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Hint: if only one of the spare parts suppliers says the part exists and the others don't know about it, it could be an error in their database!

Even if it's not replaceable, it could still be repairable, by buying a complete drum. Drums can be £120 upwards, plus labour.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Many Manufacturers replace the entire drum, inner and outer rather than swapping the bearings out. Hotpoint did with mine.

 

[jj4091]

Get a quote then decide. Bear in mind if it is bearings then other parts will be beginning to wear.
Only you can answer your question really

 

[Old Salt]

What ? Brand new ? What make was it ? I'll make a mental note to avoid .

Yep brand new German make beginning with B. Could have had it sorted by now but not touching it as its brand new. Its either the inlet solenoid valve or the fill pressure switch.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Get a quote then decide. Bear in mind if it is bearings then other parts will be beginning to wear.
Only you can answer your question really

Drum bearing are a high wear, high stress item, working as they are, in such a hostile environment - hot soapy water. If it has been reliable so far, it would be worth investing £20-£30 in it.

 

[colin H]

Thanks for the advice , everyone. I'll have a think whether to try and repair it . I have noticed though , that similar machines are a lot cheaper than we paid for ours 15+ years ago , so replacement might be the way to go