How to replace the cross in the washing machine with your own hands

The crosspiece of the washing machine tank serves as a link between it and the drum, therefore it is constantly under load. It is made of soft metal, so it often deforms and breaks.

In this article, we’ll cover:

  • how to change the cross;
  • Is it worth doing the repair yourself?

Why does the cross break?

Failure does not occur suddenly – before that, you can hear noise and rumble during operation, which indicates bearing wear. When they are erased, the destruction of the cross begins.

Also, the cause of the problem may be hard water, which provokes scale. Rarely found a factory marriage.

Is the repair of the cross of the washing machine relevant for such damage? Follow our instructions to get things right.

Independent repair

To inspect and check the condition of the cross, you need to remove and disassemble the washer tank. In some models, it can be reached through the top of the machine, in others through the front panel.

The most difficult disassembly process is with the removal of the front wall. What should be done:

  1. Shut off the water supply.
  2. Disconnect the machine from the network.
  3. Drain the remaining water by unscrewing the intake hose and the drain filter. The latter is located behind the hatch, at the bottom of the front panel.
  4. Move the SMA away from the wall.

How to disassemble a washing machine

First of all, remove the top panel of the CM:

  • Remove the screws holding the back cover.
  • Push it in the opposite direction from you.
  • Lift up, set aside.

Let’s go to the control panel:

  • Take out the detergent dispenser. Open the tray, press the latch in the center, pull it towards you.
  • Unscrew the bolts that are behind the tray and on the other side of the panel.
  • Use a slotted screwdriver to pry out the plastic latches around the perimeter of the panel.
  • Note or mark the wiring location on the module.
  • Disconnect the wires, set the panel aside.

It’s time to open the bottom plinth panel. If you already did this when you unscrewed the filter, then proceed to the next step.

Disconnect the hatch seal (cuff) from the outer wall. For this:

  • Pry the clamp-spring with a flat screwdriver, remove it. The clamp is located under the cuff. If it is plastic on your washer, you need to open the latch.
  • Remove the two screws that secure the sunroof lock.
  • Run your hand under the cuff and remove the lock from the side.
  • Disconnect all connectors from it.

Unscrew all the screws holding the front panel at the top and bottom. Lift it up and take it off.

Go to the top of the CM. You need to remove the powder receiver:

  • Take the pliers and open the clamp that secures the receiver pipe to the tank. Disconnect the tube.
  • Next, you can disconnect the inlet valve hoses, or you can remove the powder receptacle along with the valve. To do this, unscrew the mounting bolt on the rear panel.

Remove all counterweights by unscrewing the bolts.

You can proceed to dismantle the rear panel. You just need to unscrew the screws around the perimeter. After removing the drive belt, pay attention to the heating element. In your model, it can be in front or behind. Disconnect the wiring from it.

Let’s analyze further:

  • Disconnect the pressure switch tube from the tank.
  • Open the clamp on the drain pipe and disconnect from the tank. If the clamp is fixed with a screw, unscrew it first.
  • Disconnect the motor wiring, unscrew its bolts and pull it out of the housing.
  • Loosen the shock absorber bolts.

Great! Now the tank hangs on hooks-springs. Remove it and pull it out through the front of the CM or through the top, depending on the brand.

Tank disassembly

After laying the tank on a flat surface, remove the cuff by pulling off the inner clamp. Turn the tank upside down, lock the pulley in place and remove the center bolt. Remove pulley.

Next, unscrew the screws around the perimeter of the tank. They hold the two pieces together, so once you remove them, you can remove one half.

To remove the drum from the tank, lightly tap the bushing with a hammer. Now you can see if you need to repair the cross of the washing machine with your own hands. If the problem is worn bearings, buy new parts and install them.

Be careful! Purchase bearings only for the specific machine model. Unsuitable elements wear out faster, which leads to repeated repairs.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

When replacing, the user may encounter such a nuisance as the bearing sticking to the shaft of the cross of the drum of the washing machine. How to be?

Don’t even think about hitting the bearing with a hammer. So you risk damaging the shaft, which is already fraught with the purchase of new parts.

Here is what the masters advise to do in such cases:

  • Using a tool – grinder or drill – make cuts on the bearings. Be careful not to damage the shaft.
  • Insert a chisel into the cuts and knock off the shaft piece by piece.

What other obstacles might there be? Some manufacturers use crosses with a shelf on washing machines. It happens that when the old bearing is knocked out, the inner part of the cage leaves, while the outer part remains held by the shelf – see the figure below.

There is no way to get it. In order not to change the entire cross, it is recommended to reinstall the inner part and then pull out the entire bearing.

Progress

Take a new bearing suitable for the CMA model. You need to disassemble it. Proceed in sequence:

  • Remove separator. Insert a thin screwdriver into the hole, lightly hit it with a hammer until the separator bends.
  • Turn the bearing over, pry the separator and remove. Now you have balls in front of you, they are not restrained by anything, so they move freely.
  • Move all the balls to one side, pry off the inner race with a screwdriver and pull it out. Bearing disassembled.

It is necessary to degrease all parts and install in the clip remaining on the cross.

How to replace:

  • Install four balls in the cage, then install the smaller inner race.
  • Carefully place another ball. Usually in bearings there are from 5 to 7 pieces. The main thing is that the inner clip is firmly held. Therefore, if five balls are not enough, install the rest.
  • The balls are evenly distributed, the gaps between them are compacted with foil.
  • From above, a home-made part is poured with a suitable glue for strength.
  • Lubricate the outer race of the part that is stuck to the cross with oil.
  • After 15 minutes, turn the drum over to the other side.
  • Using a punch and hammer, knock the part out of the socket.

You have vacated a seat. It remains to clean it up and install new elements.

If it’s not the bearing, we’ll show you how to remove the cross from the washing machine drum and replace it.

The part is fastened with three to six screws. You just need to unscrew them to remove the cross. Purchase a new part and install in reverse order.

The situation becomes more complicated if in your model the crosspiece is welded to the drum. Then you have to completely change the drum.

The repair process is laborious for a beginner. But if you decide to cope on your own, the video will help you:

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