When replacing drum bearings, you have to almost completely disassemble the machine, remove the tank, and knock out worn-out metal rings. After all this work, it seems to a novice master that pressing a bearing in a washing machine is as easy as shelling pears. After all, all that remains is to clean the landing “nest” and place the part. In fact, the elements are difficult to fit into place, you have to drive them in, and here it is important not to overdo it, so as not to “crumple” the knot. Let's figure out how to carefully “plant” the components.
Standard method for beginners
Professional workshops have special equipment that can be used to quickly push bearings into place. Beginners repairing a washing machine for the first time do not have such devices, and it makes no sense to make them for one-time use. Let's figure out how to perform pressing with a conventional tool.
First, you should prepare for the work:
Clean the seat from dirt and traces of wear. There should be no chips or other debris left in the “nest” that would make it difficult to install the bearings;
prepare the bearings. Without unpacking the part, put it in the freezer for a couple of hours. Parts should be removed from the refrigerator before installation.
At subzero temperatures, metal shrinks, so a couple of hours in the freezer can make pressing the bearings easier.
There are several ways to assemble a bearing assembly. This can be done using a chisel or drift. According to the experts, it is safer to go the other way. To drive a new bearing without damaging it, you will need a metal washer that matches the size of the bearing and a hammer.
The algorithm of actions is very simple:
insert the bearing into the “socket”;
place the washer on top (due to the fact that it is the same diameter as the bearing, the impact force will be evenly distributed over the part, the risk of “breaking” the unit will be reduced to zero);
Use a hammer to hit the washer several times from different sides.
This way you can safely drive the bearings into the “socket”. Moreover, for the internal bearing you will need a smaller washer, for the external one - a larger one. The likelihood of damaging new components is minimal, so this method is recommended for novice craftsmen.
Press for professionals
Specialists who are constantly involved in repairing washing machines, trying to optimize the installation process, are constantly trying to find new, non-standard solutions for performing the work. A screw press for washing machine bearings will be useful to professional craftsmen. For beginners who will carry out repairs once or twice, it makes no sense to buy this device, although if there is a desire, why not.
The design of a professional press is simple. The device consists of:
screw;
nuts;
a set of washers of different diameters (6 pieces included in the set, ranging from the size corresponding to bearing 202 to 207. They are also suitable for bearings of the 300 series).
With the help of a screw and nut, the bearings are compressed together, and dimensional washers ensure that the forces from the structure will be applied exactly to the place where it is necessary so as not to destroy the part being installed.
The bottom nut can be easily removed from the screw stud. Initially, the element was designed for 203 bearings. If a ring 204 or 205, that is, of a larger diameter, is installed, another washer “goes down” to the nut, and only after that the bearing is fixed in the press.The screw consists of two parts: the stud itself and the upper nut, which is fixed “tightly” with a pair of bolts. It has a hole for a regular Phillips screwdriver, with which it will be convenient to hold the structure when pressing the bearings.
Let's figure out how to install washing machine bearings using a press in practice. For example, you need to hammer in rings 205 and 206. The algorithm of actions is as follows:
Using your fingers, insert the inner and outer bearings into the “socket” so that they remain in the tank lid;
prepare a press fitting and two washers of the appropriate diameter;
place a ring for the 206 bearing on the bolt from the side of the fixed nut, insert the pin into the “socket”, the edge of the screw will “come out” on the other side;
put a washer on the stud for the 205 bearing;
take a removable nut, tighten it on the screw until it stops by hand;
Fix the press from below with a screwdriver (inserting it into the hole on the “fixed” nut), tighten the top with a wrench until the bearings are completely pressed in;
Unscrew the structure and pull out the press.
Using a professional press, it is possible to install both bearings at the same time.
You can try to assemble the structure yourself or buy a ready-made press developed by specialists, costing approximately $14. Even if you add shipping costs, the product will still pay for itself from the first repair.
When replacing drum bearings, you have to almost completely disassemble the machine, remove the tank, and knock out worn-out metal rings. After all this work, it seems to a novice master that pressing a bearing in a washing machine is as easy as shelling pears. After all, all that remains is to clean the landing “nest” and place the part. In fact, the elements are difficult to fit into place, you have to drive them in, and here it is important not to overdo it, so as not to “crumple” the knot. Let's figure out how to carefully “plant” the components.
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