The Hotpoint WM12 has a new partner - Hotpoint TL21

[aquarius8000]

Hi Mike, Grant and Kyle

Mike - thanks for the scan. can i see the wm12 if you have please.

Grant/Kyle - I tend to use what ever I am in the mood for - open bottle of lenor. And I use Bold sometimes.

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

@aquarius8000

As Far as I am aware, the WM12 spec is identicle to the WM14, as is my WM31, with the WM34, just the machines on that scan are the newer models, that came in slightly after the WM12, WM31's etc. The WM12, WM31's etc were based on previous designs, the WM34, WM14 etc were based on the WM12, WM31 designs. I think production was running at the same time, for a few months after the WM14, WM34 were launched.

Someone might tell otherwise, but that is what I thought.

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

@mcduffpth

Wow, thanks for informing me about the bearings, I wasn't expecting them to be the original ones still. Just watch out, once they are replaced, the new ones wear out quicker
Yes, Our WM31 regularly needed brushes changing. However since May 2010, the HEC motor was installed (replaced the old GDA one-because it seized up), now the brushes are still strong nearly 2 years on! (just wished it still had the original).

 

[aquarius1984]

Just watch out, once they are replaced, the new ones wear ou

Not neccesarily the case at all,

Glenfieldmathk1 I have no idea what gives you this impression but its simply not the case.

Bearings are an item which depend entirely on quality of production and the manner in which they are replaced.

A good set of bearings made and fitted correctly can last any number of years, likewise a decent set of bearings installed shoddily will wear out quicker.

Cheaper lesser made bearings can still last a good time if installed well too,

Point in case - The Hoover A3060 was a problematic machine with the bearings not lasting due to the 1100 spin, Hoover replaced a good number of these shoddy bearings under warranty as they wore out on 2 and 3 year old machines. Once replaced with bearings up for the job these machines went on to provide years of service trouble free.

Please dont come on here without getting your facts right and scaremongering with unthougthout and uneducated comments.

Grant Welcome to the club, Fabulous set you have there, im quite envious. They Look FAB.

Always prefer a side by side line up myself but currently have stacked to facilitate dryer venting. Come summer I hope to get extra work top installed with thru wall venting and the Hotpoint 95620 repaired to go alongside its dryer partner.

Lived with a WM12 for a while, which is still going after all these 18 years with just one brush change, a new door seal and a bearing change 4 years ago.
The Owner wont part with it as it suits her needs brilliantly.

Fingers crossed for another 16 odd years out of yours - if the bearings do need doing get them done ASAP before they collapse completely and require a new drum spider. Rusted bearings are no fun to remove for anyone. Hotpoint run a repair service for around £150 which is well worth it for an overhaul and the work is guaranteed after that too which will cover you well. Failing that if your handy yourself its a time consuming job but quite achievebale if you have the right tools.

Rob

 

[mcduffpth]

Hi Rob

Thanks for the welcome.

I was considering attempting the bearing change myself. Is there any specialised tools I might need for the job? I have found a few "YouTube" videos of bearings being changed and it seems a hammer, chisel and brute force are the order of the day. I would like to get it done asap as, apart from the noise when spinning, I'm aware it's not doing the machine any favours running it like that.

Cheers
Grant

 

[aquarius1984]

Grant,

Tools needed from what I remember, are the socket wrench and correct socket. Rubber/Wood Mallet, Chock of sturdy wood that will fit between the Pulley (wheel that the belt rides on to turn the drum) and the ridges in the back of the plastic outer tub.

Also its a good idea to have a piece of wood that fits over the bearing from the back of the tub and will push out on its outer races. Push the inner bearing race and you will kiss goodbye to the bearing.

Likewise for the inner tub bearing that you access from the inside once the washing drum has been removed.

Those videos are quite good and are not too far from how it ought to be.

Set aside a good mornings work, and go at your own pace. Most of the hassle is dismantling the machine and getting the old bearings out. After slipping the new ones in and reassembly is a doddle.

If you do start and you dont feel confident after a while its always best to call in a pro. I would reccomend the Hotpoint service/overhaul fee. Im sure for a one off payment they will look at everything so if there are other issues too it may work out much cheaper anyway.

What you do nned to be careful of is that when you leave the bearing repair long enough it will usually end up with the ALuminium spider that attaches the washing drum to the outer pulley cracking snapping and damaged which is another part to buy when the originals are usually in good condition. So please do attend to it sooner than later. Spider repairs are a pain to do and one less thing that neednt of happened.

Let us know how you get on!

Rob

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

@aquarius1984

I am only going on my own experience from my WM31, the bearings lasted 4 years, the original, the next set needed changing year on year, one lot only lasted 5 months.
The latest ones that they have put in were replaced in 2010, so lasted 2 years, but they are on their way out, and rumble.

 

[mcduffpth]

Mission Accomplished

WM25 bearings changed today, took me most of the afternoon but did it without too much hassle. Getting the old ones out was the most problematic part but brute force and a bit of swearing got them out, lol....

Pic 1

Stripping the machine down to remove the tub

 

[mcduffpth]

Mission Accomplished

Pic 2

Drum out

 

[mcduffpth]

Mission Accomplished

Pic 3

Old bearings out, tub cleaned and new bearings in

 

[aquarius1984]

Grant!

Brilliant news.

Just hope you didnt use brute force to hammer the new ones in. Ruin the inner of the bearing and you have had it LOL. The most nerve wracking part for me.

Sure its been water tested and all by now and is happily good to go for another few years.

Not that it matters of course but you could of done the bearings with just the front and back panels removed and drum in situ on the suspension. No problem either way just saves a little time.

Brilliant Job, Well done!

 

[mcduffpth]

Mission Accomplished

Pic 4

Empty cabinet - hope I remember where all the bits go, lol

 

[mcduffpth]

Mission Accomplished

Pic 5

Tub/drum reassembled and back in cabinet, concrete blocks and motor back on

 

[mcduffpth]

Mission Accomplished

Pic 6 

Almost  there

 

[mcduffpth]

Mission Accomplished

Pic 7

 

Load in, ready to test

 

[mcduffpth]

Mission Accomplished

Load completed, no leaks, no rumbles, all working fine

 

Rob:

 

Thanks for that, used a piece of wood to protect bearings and just gently tapped them in - much easier to insert the new ones than it was to remove the old ones -  think it would have been a lot more difficult if the tub was still in situ, was able to get the tub outside and really get at it, lol....

 

Cheers

Grant

 

[aquarius1984]

LOL

Im impressed for sure anyway. Nice neat and tidy job.

Top marks and ten out of ten.

I dont suppose you are on facebook or msn per chance?

 

[mcduffpth]

Thanks Rob

 

I'm not on facebook but I'm on msn - [email protected]

 

Grant

 

[optima]

Aquarius WM25

Well done Grant on the bearing replacement. These are the sort of pictures i enjoy looking at. Great job done!

 

[aquarius8000]

WOW! Looks like you have been busy! If you want i will post the WM12 Spider and bearing change photos. Well done!