Failed Washing Machine Bearing?

[sciphi]

This looks like a failed bearing on my Electrolux EWFLS65IIW0 front-loading washer. Apparently it's made by Frigidaire, so parts are readily available. I've done LIM gaskets on a 3800 V6 before, this can't be that much harder...

Concur? Or, if I'm wrong, what am I looking at?

 

[Quest]

yes, it seems to be a bearing issue.

Obtain your model/serial number and see if you can locate the diagram before you start ordering replacement parts.

(* I have good luck searching for electrolux line of parts on ePrey or general googling*)

Q.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: Quest
yes, it seems to be a bearing issue.

Obtain your model/serial number and see if you can locate the diagram before you start ordering replacement parts.

(* I have good luck searching for electrolux line of parts on ePrey or general googling*)

Q.


I found diagrams and part numbers pretty quickly. Looks like parts alone will be $350. Cheaper than a new front-loader...

Edit: When I started taking off panels, an Easter egg popped out! The diagnostic/testing manual for the washer's computer and sensors! Of course, the computer says everything's fine...

 

[Quest]

cool! Good to know.

In my case: when servicing other Electrolux sub-brands (frigidaire/Amana/Inglis,whirlpool, etc.) they don't come with diagrams on back panel, etc. and I have to search online for it.

Good luck! shouldn't be too difficult to fix yourself.

Q.

 

[sciphi]

It's the bearing. After slipping the drive belt and rotating the drum, it's rumbling like a Toronto freeway at rush hour.

I'm guessing the rear shell and the drum need to be replaced. Lovely.

 

[sciphi]

Or, a little digging indicates that the bearings themselves can be replaced. It's $60 for the 2 bearings and the necessary seal at the local Fastenal.

 

[Quest]

cool! looking fwd to your updates (post-bearing replacement).

Q.

 

[cchase]

Those are some pricy bearings. Any way you can grab the dimensions of the bearings and just order them from a supplier? (Assuming you are going through Electrolux/Frigidaire)

 

[Jaxon]

This may help.

http://fixitnow.com/

 

[kschachn]

I replaced the bearings and the seal (always replace the seal) on my similar washing machine. Make sure the bearings are US, Japanese or western European. If you are getting them from Fastenal then you might be on the right track.

What happens is that the (probably) Chinese bearings die off and cause the drum to wobble, which allows water to get into the bearings and accelerate the damage. The bearings I got from a bearing store are Japanese and the quality is far higher than the Chinese ones my Frigidaire was constructed with. My suggestion would be that you do NOT buy the bearings from anywhere that cannot tell you where they were made.

You may find the shaft is rusted and/or pitted. If you search the Internet a bit more you will find tons of sites devoted to the replacement of those bearings, and seal. Here is a Youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4AeUy1V6Vg

Also, when you split the outer plastic tub you will probably find it needs cleaning inside

 

[sciphi]

It's the bearings. They are pretty dramatically failed, and have worn a nice groove into the inside of the drum.

Pictures:
Debris:

Pictures of the groove the wash basket traced while the bearings failed:

Shining a light from the inside of the drum:

Question about the bolt holding the wash basket in, and the pulley on: Is it normal threaded, or reverse-threaded? I can't figure it out.

 

[sciphi]

Or, it's needing the wash basket and rear cover replaced. The wash basket shaft is extremely pitted and rusty. The rear cover has rust embedded into it. Great.

Well, it looks like it's the $300 route. Still cheaper than a new washing machine.

 

[SteveSRT8]

We just bought some cheap washer/dryers for the biz.

About 400 for the washer and 300 for a dryer, actually some were even cheaper.

I would not spend big money on an oldie. JMO.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
We just bought some cheap washer/dryers for the biz.

About 400 for the washer and 300 for a dryer, actually some were even cheaper.

I would not spend big money on an oldie. JMO.


It's 1.5 years old, and washed everything really nicely. So not that old. And, I want to make it work just because at this point.

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
It's 1.5 years old


Wow! Isn't your warranty still in effect then? Geez ours didn't fail until 10 years, which I thought was early.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: kschachn
Originally Posted By: sciphi
It's 1.5 years old


Wow! Isn't your warranty still in effect then? Geez ours didn't fail until 10 years, which I thought was early.


1 year warranty on new washers.

I ought to have noticed something, but thought it was normal. Oh well, my mistake.

 

[HTSS_TR]

If you bought the washer with a credit card, you may have another year of warranty from credit card. If you still have receipt, give credit card a call.

My front load washer failed after 11 years in 2009, I first tried to fix it and I thought the cost of repair was reasonable at $300-$350. I then tried to price a new front load washer, after few research I found a larger LG on sale at Lowe's and 2 rebates from water and gas companies, the final price was less than $250, tax included and free shipping.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
We just bought some cheap washer/dryers for the biz.

About 400 for the washer and 300 for a dryer, actually some were even cheaper.

I would not spend big money on an oldie. JMO.


It's 1.5 years old, and washed everything really nicely. So not that old. And, I want to make it work just because at this point.



haha, so it's a grudge match! I totally understand. Sometimes you just have to...

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
If you bought the washer with a credit card, you may have another year of warranty from credit card. If you still have receipt, give credit card a call.

My front load washer failed after 11 years in 2009, I first tried to fix it and I thought the cost of repair was reasonable at $300-$350. I then tried to price a new front load washer, after few research I found a larger LG on sale at Lowe's and 2 rebates from water and gas companies, the final price was less than $250, tax included and free shipping.


I looked, and repairing the current one was cheaper than getting a new machine around me.

 

[kschachn]

FWIW, I spent more than the cost of a generic new machine to repair ours, but that is because I had built a custom countertop over our washer and dryer and I didn't want to make another model fit. When we bought our units it came with a brochure showing them installed under a counter, and I thought that looked cool so I built them in that way. I like how it turned out.