Hotpoint 9544 fl bearing replacement help needed

[ricky5050]

My mums hotpoint washer reaches the ripe old age of 26 this year. And because it's lasted so well it's become a family joke that we never let it die !

It was bought in the hot summer of 1989 when her servis auto shook itself to bits and even though I tried to repair it I couldn't. I probably shouldn't have tried as it was my gcse year and should have been revising ! Our family were going through financial difficulties , and we couldn't afford to replace her machine so she used a very elderly hoover single tub until she had saved enough for the hotpoint. Only it didn't work out like that. My dad decided he needed a car ! He used the money to buy a ancient triumph sight unseen.
The car came , it was a heap needing welding , mum furious , me not to unhappy as now had an old car ( I learned to drive in it ) and we still used the single tub and spinner rinse.
But more money was saved and the hotpoint purchased.
Since that day it has washed day in day out and only officially broke down twice !
I say that as I've always been aware if it wasn't sounding quite right etc

It's had a new belt, about 10 sets of carbon rods, the motor reconditioned last year and a replacement door ( second hand ) but this was due to falling step ladders breaking original.

So all in all its been very reliable. My mum is in a position now to easily buy a new one but along with my mission she's happy with it. It washes hot washes quick , unlike relatives slow modern washers and she's always happy with the clean clothes she hangs on the line.
But I noticed a rumble and rattle during spin and ordered a new spider and bearing kit from eBay ( genuine hotpoint ) and have set about their installation , and that's where I need your help guys.

 

[ricky5050]

It starts

The previous pic shows the beginning to remove the front. This one you can see the front panel removed for easy access

 

[ricky5050]

Drum exposed

Drum and heater element

 

[ricky5050]

Where I'm at

I've now eventually got the pulley removed and tried to hammer the spider and drum through bearings but they won't budge. I've been using a rubber mallet so here's where I need your help !

1) how do I release drum from front when it seems to be stuck to bearings. I've soaked with wd40 but it's not moving.

2) do I try hitting with regular hammer as if I damage spider it wont matter as I've got a new one. but on downside if it still doesn't budge it may damage threaded end and not go back together ( so we could use it until it really dies )

3) buy a new machine !

So what do you suggest I do !

Many thanks

Richard

 

[alanlondon]

I'm fairly sure the pulley has a thread too

Hi there

That the pulley is on a thread too. Put your hammer handle through the pulley at the back and lodge it against the plastic tub and then get someone (or yourself if you have long arms!) to turn the drum. From memory I think you turn it the opposite way to you think. Best of luck. Cheers, Alan

 

[alanlondon]

Sorry..

..now I've put my glasses on this morning I can see that the pulley is already off.

 

[keymatic3203]

think you need a bigger hammer

Hi Richard,

great to see you wanting to keep this machine going, yes it can be difficult getting the drum out. With the nut and pulley off there is nothing but age and rust holding the drum in. What I'd suggest is putting the nut back on the shaft so that it is level with the end of the shaft, this increases the area to hammer against as well as protecting the thread. I tend to use a club hammer, short handle and heavy head, just hitting the shaft posatively with a precision and force, you wont get this with a hammer you'd use to put a nail in, the drum should then start moving.

I think there are a few threads that talk about this repair and probably a few youtube vids too. Just a tip from me and haynes manual, is to put the bearings in the freezer and gently warm up the bearing housing in the tub with a hot air gun or hair dryer. This has worked for me time and again and save much of the force needed to tap the new bearings home. Oh and make sure you use the new bolts and wedge captive nuts that that attach the spider to the drum, even if you don't use the new spider. I have seen in my sisters machine they had rusted away and the tub then split due to the reduce area of the wedge, nothing spectacular, just the drum warped scraping the outertub.

Hope this helps, let us know how you get on.

Mathew

 

[keymatic3203]

oh should have said

I'm sure its obvious and don't mean to insult, but when the shaft does start moving and the nut is tight up to the back bearing, remove it and then the drum should easily come out completely with only light hammering. Sorry not to have any photos to hand, but I'm sure you know what I mean

All the best

Mathew

 

[ricky5050]

Thanks

Thanks guys ! I got a reet big hammer and after a good clout out popped the drum ! Now then I've only gone and lost the new spider and bearings. I'll look again tomorrow we've put it somewhere safe !!! I need to see the new bearings before I try to hammer out the old ones. Does a bearing come away from the plastic drum or leave a metal shell in the tub ? When I find the new ones I'll know more !

Here are some pics of the drum and spider. My mam is a fan of liquids detergent and never used a powder and loves her fabric softener. She never presses 1/2 load. Add to that her love of a good 60 c wash for towels. The machine is quite clean. But there is 26 years of crud on the spider and a bit of grime on bank of outer drum.

Just thought you guys might like to see the spider as there has been talk of liquids dissolving the aluminium. She has a soft water area but to be fair the spider hasn't dissolved like I thought it might

Now to replace the bearings - hopefully !!

 

[ricky5050]

Ps

I will be giving it a good scrub with bleach spray before it all goes back together! There is evidence of mild coin damage on outside of drum but more scoring than dinting. I'll clean the sump pot too !

 

[ricky5050]

Found them

I found where is put them safe and replaced the spider and bearings. It's all back together ! The nut undid its self first test. So I have re tightned it. Hopefully tight enough. It's an old n rusty machine but hopefully trusty !

Mam has a washed planned tomorrow ! Fingers crossed

Richard

 

[matchboxpaul]

Hi Ricky.
Brings back memories of a couple of old Hotpoint repairs in the dim and distant past, under the guidance of Mathew. My 95620 had a bearing change, followed a couple of years later by the 9560 Microprofile.

Was wracking my brain to remember of there was any other fastening, causing the drum to stick fast. Came to the conclusion that it was just age and Mathew confirmed it.

Heres hoping that the rebuild is continuing to go well and that the maiden spin, post new bearings, is a quieter one.

Paul
p.s go get that Philips dryer!

 

[ricky5050]

All done

Paul should there be any lube on the rubber bit of the carbon seal ! I just put it on dry worrying that something might rot it. I cannot think there should be not sure !

Thanks