Drum Pulley shattered - Hotpoint washer dryer

[dal5band]

My son'r washer dryer model WDF740g (UK)C has a broken drum pulley - the old one was made of some sort base metal. I notice that there are two options for sale - a metal one or what looks like a plastic one.

Should I stick to the original metal type or get the plastic pulley ?

 

[dal5band]

Disaster - can't unto the drum pully bolt. So far we have broken three torx bits - yes it is a torx head bolt. The torx profile is so small compared to the size of the bolt it is not going to undo by just force (the bit breaks or twists).
Anybody any ideas before we take the machine to the dump.

 

[Burnerman]

The metal pulley is likely made from a zinc rich alloy called Mazak - brittle by nature.
As for the screw, it could be a left hand thread?
John

 

[dal5band]

Just checked on Ebay - there are some similar bolts on sale and they are normal RH thread.
Just need some ideas how to undo it ?

 

[Burnerman]

I think I'd go for a quality torx bit in a 3/8" drive ratchet - but I'm a bit surprised the bolt head isn't showing signs of wear yet!
Any chance you can get some heat in there?
Can you give us a pic, do you think?
John

 

[dal5band]

OK we got it sorted - blow torch on the nut - didn't work immediately.
Then we hit the nut with a hammer a few times and that must have released the corrosion and it came off.
Luckily all our efforts did not damage the nut, the torx bits broke instead.
Pictures for you info, with the new pulley wheel installed.

 

[Burnerman]

Well done! Never as easy as it looks.
I would suggest your torx drivers weren't the best quality, snapping like that - Ive had some allen keys that did the same.
John