Drum in washing machine has its own principle of operation, which affects the wear of some parts. If it starts to creak when rotating, it is worth checking or replacing the oil seal or lubricating the bearing. The drum is attached to a torque shaft, which transfers rotation to it. All parts are lubricated to reduce friction and improve sliding. Over time, soapy water seeps onto the working elements and reduces the amount of lubricant. The sealant dries up and becomes unusable. So, let's see how to replace the oil seal of the washing machine. Immediately, we note that the process is complex, it is better to entrust it to a specialist. However, if you have the time and desire, you can try to install the spare yourself.
Oil seal location
It is important to distinguish between front-loading and vertical-loading machines. This is because their drums are fixed in different ways. Accordingly, they will be placed differently. Therefore, for simplicity of explanation, we will take as an example the most popular type - front loading.
The oil seal is located behind the drum on a special bushing, in front of the bearing. All of this is attached to the shaft, providing a tight connection.
Symptoms of oil seal problems
Water falling on the rubber destroys it, however, very slowly. Therefore, for a long time, the machine will not show signs of a problem. But, as soon as the liquid gets to the metal parts, it begins to oxidize and destroy them, washing off the working oil. All this can lead to rust on the bearing and shaft. Therefore, if there is at least one of the following signs, you should start by replacing the oil seal:
- when the drum is spinning, a crunch is clearly audible;
- scrolling with your hands, the details interact tightly, there is a feeling of an obstacle.
Attention! In these cases, not only the oil seal, but also the bearing must be replaced most often. Therefore, it is best to buy spare parts after the unit has been disassembled and the true cause of the malfunction has been found.
Replacement process
It is worth preparing for the fact that the car will need to be disassembled almost completely. After all, the drum is the heart of the device, and its connection is deeply hidden in the body. If this is your first time taking action, you should consider the additional ability to record steps. It is very important to disassemble and assemble the device in strict sequence, without deviating from it. Otherwise, you can completely break the unit, and then the cost of repairs will rise tenfold.
For notes, you can take a pen and a piece of paper, making schematic drawings. You can also film the process with a video camera, focusing on the important.
The stages of work are as follows:
- Remove the top panel. It is with her that you should start, since it hides all the fasteners of the rest of the machine. To remove the top panel, you need to take a medium-sized screwdriver and gently pry off the cover from the back of the machine (there is a special tab for this).
- We remove the front and back walls. For this, there are several bolts under the cover. Attention! It is important to remember (write down) which bolts belong to which sockets.
- Remove counterweights.
- Remove the damping springs.
- Disconnect all electronics. To do this, remove the wires of the main control units. It is especially important to remember the sequence here.
- Remove the tank, disassemble it into 2 parts.
- Inspect the shaft and crosspiece. In those cases when the device has been operating "dry" for a long time, these parts are exposed to particularly heavy loads, which leads to their damage. Chips, abrasions, cracks and other defects may appear.
- Knock out bearing and oil seal. This is done with a small hammer and chisel or a mild chisel.
- Clean and lubricate the stuffing box. For this, all remnants of the old part are removed, everything is washed well with an alcohol solution and lubricated.
- Replace the new oil seal and press down firmly.
After these steps, the machine is assembled in the reverse order. Once everything is completed, you can do the first launch. Preferably without laundry, and, if the device has a programming option, set to rinse. Then the drum will spin without load, and you can understand its state. Important! After turning on and operating the machine, there should be no extraneous noise: crackles, knocks and other sounds. This is a sign of a job well done.
By common device the washing machine belongs to rather complex units, in the event of a breakdown even, at first glance, an insignificant part, the operation of the entire system as a whole may depend. The main purpose of the washing machine oil seal is to prevent the ingress of water with detergents from the drum onto the bearing. Bearings, not having proper protection from the oil seals, quickly give in to wear.
Checking the condition of the oil seal and, if necessary, replacing it is a rather laborious procedure that is trusted by professionals. If noise and rattling are heard during the rotation of the drum, then with a high degree of probability we can say that the problem is in the bearings and oil seals. Contact our service center"RemonTechnik", highly qualified specialists will be able to diagnose a breakdown and fix it. Replacing the oil seal involves almost complete disassembly of the unit, without the necessary skills, it is highly discouraged to carry out large-scale repair work on your own.
Oil seal functions
The role of the oil seal is important - it acts as a seal between the drum (static part) and the shaft (movable, dynamic part) of the washing machine. Thus, the gland prevents any penetration of moisture onto the shaft and bearings in particular. Externally, the gland is a small rubber ring of different diameters.
Manufacturers of household appliances use oil seals of different diameters, which depends on the overall design of the tank. Therefore, before you go to the store to buy a new oil seal, you need to disassemble the machine and see which oil seal is needed in a particular case.
How to ensure the performance of the stuffing box and extend its service life?
Since the stuffing box is fed by constant friction and temperature fluctuations, it must be protected from negative influences. During operation, cracks may occur on the rubber tab, as a result of which the oil seal does not perform its functions. To prevent wear of the packing and prolong its life, it is recommended to use special lubricants that reduce friction.
When choosing such a lubricant, you should pay attention to its properties. It must meet the following requirements:
- Moisture resistance, the lubricant must contain organic substances that have a water-repellent effect;
- Do not contain chlorine and other aggressive components that can damage the rubber gasket;
- Heat resistance, one side of the stuffing box (adjacent to the drum) gets very hot. It is important that the grease does not lose its properties when heated;
- The consistency of the grease must be tight to seal the gland tightly.
Guided by the listed rules, you can significantly extend the life of the oil seal and bearings.
Breakdown diagnostics
The following factors testify to the incompetence of the oil seal:
- During the streak, even at low-speed modes, noise and rattling are heard;
- Strong vibrations and knocking;
- Strong drum play. You can check after washing by rotating the drum yourself;
- The drum does not rotate.
If the symptoms described appear, you should immediately check the condition of the oil seal. Ignoring the problem can lead to complete destruction of the bearings.
How to replace the oil seal?
To replace the oil seals, a complete disassembly of the washing machine is required.
The parsing procedure includes a number of the following steps:
- Remove the top cover, for most models it is fastened with two screws located on the back side;
- Remove the back wall, you need to take a good look at it, since there may be hidden bolts;
- Take off drive belt... The easiest way to do this is by rotating the shaft and simultaneously tightening the belt;
- In the opening of the loading door, it is necessary to remove the rubber casing separating the drum and the door. The seal is pressed against the opening with a metal rim. You need to pry it off with a screwdriver and pull it towards you;
- Then it is necessary to disconnect all the wiring from the heating element and the engine. Remember to disconnect the ground;
- Remove all pipes connected to the drum. Disconnect the water level sensor;
- Disconnect the shock absorbers and springs holding the drum.
- It is necessary to remove the upper and lower counterweight;
- We dismantle the engine, it is necessary to unscrew the fastening bolts and move the motor forward;
- After removing the drum, you must open the latches and unscrew all the screws;
- Then, using the hexagon, it is necessary to unscrew the pulley.
After performing the listed manipulations, access to the oil seal and bearings is opened. The oil seal is easy to remove by prying it off with a screwdriver.
Then it is necessary to check the condition of the bearings and install a new oil seal. The assembly process is carried out upside-down.
The procedure for replacing the oil seal is very laborious and requires special knowledge, availability the necessary tool... We recommend that you contact our specialists for high-quality repair work.
The video will help you to clearly understand the procedure for replacing the oil seal:
Today, automatic washing machines have become the most common things. They, like many other household appliances, are designed to take on some of the household tasks and make a person's life more comfortable and pleasant. The design of the machines allows them to perform their duties efficiently. They run on electricity, use water and have some parts that should not come into contact with moisture.
The combination of these features of the functioning of the machine obliged their designers to create a system that allows you to combine all these things and at the same time maintain the safety of work and the possibility of long-term operation of household appliances. Part of the tasks associated with protecting against water entering unwanted places was taken over by various cuffs and oil seals for washing machines.
Description of the gland
The gland is a special material, the task of which is to seal various joints and prevent water leakage.
It is used in all types of automatic washing machines. However, in different models it can be of various shapes and sizes. The oil seals used in typewriters may have some differences from the oil seals used in other types of household appliances.
Their properties and characteristics also depend on the qualities of the rubber material from which they are made. In addition to rubber, they are made from silicone rubber, fluoroelastomer and other materials.
In the manufacture of all variants of oil seals for the washing machine, a special insert made of metal is used. It plays the role of reinforcement and helps to maintain the correct shape. This insert can be quite brittle, so be careful not to damage it during replacement.
Oil seal in the structure of the washing machine
Let's take a look at the location of the oil seal in frontal washing machines. The drum in these machines is fixed on the bracket. The bracket has several legs. Usually 3-4 pcs. In the middle of it is a steel axle shaft. It is needed in order to secure the drum to the bearing assembly. This fixing option allows the drum to rotate. That is, to have mobility. The axle shaft forces the electric motor to turn.
Oil seals for washing machines are not fixed on the shaft, but on a special sleeve. And paired with it, it ensures the normal operation of the washing machine and protection against water leaks. They are watertight and keep moisture out of the bearings and the entire assembly. If moisture gets on the bearings, then pretty soon they will rust and become unusable.
The oil seal is a very important part of the machine. After all, if it is damaged, then it will be necessary to change not only the oil seal, but also the bearings. And replacing bearings requires almost complete disassembly of the washing machine. This is a very time consuming task. And if you call the master, then the repair will not be the cheapest. And if you take it yourself, then it will take a lot of effort and time.
Instructions for self-replacement bearings you can find below.
Replacement
Basically, to replace the oil seals, you need to do the same thing as to replace the bearings. That is, almost completely disassemble the machine. First you will need to remove the cover (top of the case), then remove the front and back panels. Then get to the tank, remove it. Dismantle the tank into two halves. And after that you can get to the bearing assembly. This is how the oil seal and bearings are located. We will not describe the entire replacement procedure in detail, since it has already been described in the article on replacing bearings, which is on our website.
In order for you to understand how much work you have to do, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with a video recording of such a repair of a washing machine. You can also replace both oil seals for washing machines and bearings yourself, simply by doing the same thing that the master does in the video. This video was recorded in English, but in order to repeat all the steps or just estimate the amount of work, you do not need a translation. Watch the video:
Oil seal lubrication
When replacing the bearing and the oil seal, it is imperative to fill it (oil seal) with grease. The best option will use those lubricants that are recommended by the manufacturer of the machine. However, such a lubricant can be expensive. Some craftsmen use automotive and other types of lubricants. Such as:
- Litol-24m,
- CIATIM-221,
- AZMOL-Alumina,
- AMBLIGON,
- and etc.
It is believed that most types of grease are not suitable for this purpose. Since they soften the gland and it may fail again in a year or two. Therefore, if you want to be sure that the machine will work properly and for a long time, it is better to use lubricants recommended by manufacturers or others, but you have proven in practice.
A washing machine is usually purchased with the expectation that it will last at least a dozen years, but this does not always happen. The service life of a washing machine depends on many factors: the conscientiousness of the manufacturer, the frequency of use and compliance with the rules of operation.
Gentle care includes not only the choice of high-quality detergents, timely cleaning and prevention of scale formation, but also control over the condition of the internal elements of the washing machine.
One such element is the oil seal. You can find out what it is and how to keep it in working order by reading this article.
What is an oil seal and why is it lubricated
The stuffing box (or, as it is more correct to call it, the stuffing box) is a part of the mechanism that serves as a sealing element between its two parts, one of which is movable and the other is not. The gland is usually made of rubber, so it not only seals but also seals the connection.
In a washing machine, oil seals are needed in order to protect the bearings from water ingress. They are located on top of a bronze bushing, which, in turn, is fixed along the axle shaft. The oil seals must be replaced together with the bearings so that the connection always remains tight and sealed.
The axle shaft is a rotating shaft on which the tub and drum of the washing machine are fixed. Rotating, the shaft comes into contact with the inner surface of the stuffing box. Constantly exposed to friction, this part wears out quickly. To slow this process down, a special oil seal lubricant is used to provide sliding, thereby reducing friction. If the grease is not renewed in time, the oil seal will dry out and water will begin to pass through, which will lead to bearing failure and malfunctioning of the washing machine.
Lubrication requirements
There is a category of owners of washing machines, which, instead of specialized compositions for the care of stuffing box devices, prefers to use folk remedies, for example, vegetable oil or fats. Such a solution, of course, is more economical, but it does not affect the state of the mechanism in the best way.
- are moisture resistant, that is, they do not lose their properties, being in constant contact with water;
- have a non-aggressive chemical composition that does not destroy the surface of the stuffing box and metal shaft;
- resistant to temperature changes, do not disintegrate and do not lose their qualities when exposed to heating;
- have sufficient thickness and viscosity so as not to wash off with water for a long time.
Oil seal grease is usually sold in specialty stores. washing machines or spare parts for different types household appliances. Price for this consumable You may be unpleasantly surprised: this is due to the fact that this is a narrow-purpose product that is difficult to find on sale.
Often, manufacturers of household appliances are engaged in the production of greases for oil seals that are intended directly for a given brand of washing machines, but in reality they are suitable for all models. Most lubricants are interchangeable, you just need to pay attention to the main component of the composition. Silicone and titanium lubricants are popular, which repel water well and are able to withstand temperatures up to 200 degrees.
Instructions for use
To replace the oil seal or renew the lubricant, you first have to almost completely disassemble the washing machine, pull out the tank and remove the drum from it. How to do this, we described in detail in the article "How to remove the bearing from the drum of the washing machine?".
Having replaced worn out bearings and seals with new ones, you need to make sure that they last as long as possible. To do this, we need to properly lubricate the oil seal. First, the grease is applied to the outer surface of the gland in an even, thin layer. Then we start processing the inner surface. The layer should be slightly thicker here. The oil seal can then be reinstalled.
Visually and in more detail, the whole process, see the next video.
How can you replace the lubricant?
Sometimes it is not possible to find a special grease for the oil seals. In this case, craftsmen replace it with petroleum-based means of similar action, for example, solid oil or lithol. Experts warn against using these funds, as they contribute to the rapid wear of the oil seals. Similar lubricants are used in the automotive industry, but they do more harm than good to household appliances. Therefore, it is better to spend time and money on the purchase of specialized products that have a lasting effect and are completely safe for washing machines.
