How to Change the Bearings in a Zanussi Washing Machine

Zanussi is a well-known kitchen appliance brand in Europe. Like other brands of washing machines, a bad bearing will cause the Zanussi washer to make grinding noises. If the bearing is not replaced, the washer won't spin correctly. Fortunately, you can save money by replacing the washer’s bearing yourself. Always check the warranty information for the appliance, as do-it-yourself repairs can void the Zanussi warranty. The exact disassembly process may vary slightly depending on the model of washing machine you're working on.

Overloading the washer will make it work harder and shorten its lifespan.

Step 1

Reduce the chance of electrical shock by removing the power cord from the wall outlet. Shut the water off by twisting the water valve handles. Pull the water hose from the unit and carefully move the washer away from the wall to give yourself space to work on the washer.

Step 2

Take the top of the washer off by removing the screws located at the back. Slide the top backward and lift it off the washer. Find the screws hidden by plastic caps along the area where the front and back halves of the washer cabinet join. Remove these screws with a screwdriver. Unlock the tabs to remove the cable and cable clamp. Jiggle the back half of the washer cabinet until it comes free from the front half.

Step 3

Move to the rear of the drum unit and disconnect the vent hose at the top of the drum by carefully pulling it off. Disconnect the soap dispenser by removing the hose and clamp running from the dispenser to the drum. Slide the soap dispenser off the drum.

Step 4

Grasp the drive belt with your hand and slip if off. Remove the bolt securing the drum pulley in place with a socket wrench. Disconnect the earth wire, which was exposed after removing the drum pulley, by pulling it off. Pull the motor electric connection off and carefully remove its wiring connections running to the heater and thermostat by pulling them off.

Step 5

Remove the screws holding the motor in place and carefully push the heavy motor back to remove it from the washer housing. Remove the suspension legs by unlocking the barb and using a pair of pliers to pull the securing pin. Carefully push the legs to the side of the washer cabinet. Unclamp the hose on the drum unit that runs to the drain pump and carefully pull it off the drum.

Step 6

Move to the front of the unit and unclamp the plastic band that secures the door gasket on the washer cabinet. The drum unit is now hanging from the upper springs. Lay wood on the floor under the drum unit. Life one corner of the drum upward to disconnect it from the spring. Lift the underside of the drum and carefully place it on the wood.

Step 7

Lift the entire drum unit out of the washer cabinet and place the unit on its back with the door gasket pointing up. Remove the screws that connect the two halves of the drum unit together. Lift the top half off the bottom half. Lift the inner drum out from the halved drum unit.

Step 8

Remove the snap rings at the bearing assembly with snap pliers. Lift the old bearing assembly, including the seal, off the inner tub. Use a rubber mallet to gently tap the old bearing if it does not lift easily off the inner tub. Clean the area where the bearing was flush against the tub with paper towels.

Step 9

Slide the new seal and bearing assembly into position, making sure it's flush against the surface. Reassemble the washer using the reverse procedure with which you disassembled the appliance.