The engine in the washing machine performs its main function - rotation. And the bearings are in the engine to reduce friction. Their service life is significantly reduced if not periodically lubricated.
To check the electric motor or replace defective parts, you need to remove and disassemble the electric motor. The bearings in it are located on the shaft of the armature or rotor.
Rules for disassembling an electric motor
In the washing machine, a collector or asynchronous motor can be installed. They are understood in different ways, but nevertheless, there are general rules that should be observed when disassembling:
- Before you begin to disassemble the motor, disconnect the washing machine from the mains and remove the motor by disconnecting all wires.
- If capacitors are provided in the motor control circuit, it is worth discharging their conclusions.
- Dismantling eliminates bumps and distortions and goes in strict sequence - stage by stage.
- Dismantling begins after the mechanism that rotates the engine is disconnected - in our case, this is the belt that rotates the pulley (or the drum - in the AGR with direct drive).
- During operation, be careful not to damage the shaft, winding, manifold or brushes.
How to check bearings
Replacing the bearings in the engine of the washing machine begins with checking them. If you do not notice wear on time (noise in the operation of the AGR), then in the worst case the result will be as follows: during rotation, moving and immovable parts of the engine will come into contact, which will lead to breakdown of the entire engine.
Verification happens like this:
- Install the electric motor on a flat and hard surface.
- Hold the engine with one hand and rotate the shaft with the other.
- If everything is normal, then the rotor will spin smoothly, without hooks.
- If the bearings have served their purpose, then you will catch the sounds of scratching or notice that there is an imbalance when the rotor rotates.
Backlash: how to check
Axial or radial play is an absolutely normal phenomenon, typical even for new parts. It is only important that the play is not too large.
Check radial play:
- Mount the motor on a flat and hard surface.
- Grasp the shaft with your hand and swing it.
- Only a slight deviation is acceptable.
- Displacement is directly proportional to the size of the motor. In the domestic engine of a washing machine, these displacements can be subtle.
Check axial play:
- Grasp the shaft and pull it toward you, or push the rotor away from you.
- Deviation in the SM engine of more than 0.3 cm already indicates a problem.
If, disassembling the motor, you find traces of friction of the rotor and stator, then this already says that engine repair is required, or rather, a change of bearings. If the rotor is worn out, then this element must also be replaced.
Dismantling stages
Before replacing the motor bearings, they must be removed. To carry out this operation you need pullers. It is important to consider that they differ in size and in terms of design, so if you are not sure, take the engine to the store to find the right puller.
In principle, you can estimate and buy a puller "by eye":
- For small shafts, a mechanism with removable gripping bars is suitable.
- For a larger shaft, you should take a massive puller with 3-4 paws, capturing the bearing.
If you work as a puller, you will have to make an effort to rotate it. If it is too heavy, take a piece of pipe to extend the lever. For easier removal, the shaft can be lubricated with machine oil or WD-40 grease.
Put on a new bearing
After removing the parts from the motor of the washing machine, you can proceed with the installation of new ones. The new item should be 100% equivalent to the part you are changing.
During installation, be careful not to get dirt inside the bearing. Also inspect even the new element for integrity. The marriage has not been canceled - inside there may be chips or metal corrosion.
Installation Rules:
- Fit the part using a small diameter metal stud.
- Before installation, it is recommended to lubricate the part with grease.
- Make sure that there are no distortions, so hit clearly in the center of the hairpin, placing it in different places.
- To speed up the process, you can dip the bearing in boiling oil for 5-10 minutes. Remove the part using a hook or pliers. Do not work with bare hands!
Bearing grease
The functioning of the AGR will depend on what lubrication will be during the installation of the bearing. Lubricant must be selected thick - consistent.
If the engine speed does not exceed 3 thousand in 1 minute, you can use "Litol 24" or "Tsiatim 201". If the engine runs at high speeds, choose a second lubricant, but with a marking of 202.
Fill more than half of the bearing chamber with grease. For high-speed, one-third will be enough - if you put more, excess grease will still be squeezed out during rotations.
Now you know how to change the bearings of an electric motor, if your washing machine requires it.