Unusual behavior of the washing machine during operation indicates its malfunction. If the home assistant began to creak, make noise, rumble or even “dance” on the floor during washing and spinning, most likely the problem is the breakdown of the bearing assembly. It is necessary to respond to such a malfunction without delay. To eliminate it, first of all, you need to find out what bearings are on the washing machine. To understand this, our article will help.
How is the bearing assembly
This important mechanism is the connecting link between the drum and the pulley of any automatic machine, which provides the first rotation in the washing process. Therefore, the functioning of the device itself depends on its proper operation. In most SMA, bearings are mounted in a special crosspiece that is mounted on a drum, or rather on its rear wall.
The nodal assembly itself is represented by two types of elements:
- Inland. More powerful (thicker and larger in diameter), since it takes on a greater load. Located near the drum itself.
- To the outside. Located on the other end of the shaft. Performs a secondary role, therefore, much smaller than the size of its "colleague".
In some washing machines, double row mono bearings can be seen. They consist of two rows of balls for rotating the shaft, and not one, as is usually the case.
In this case, instead of two single-row elements, one double-row is used.
An important element in the operation of the mechanism is an oil seal (rubber o-ring), which tightly covers the shaft and prevents water from seeping through it.
If the seal is worn out, it will definitely let water out of the tank, therefore, failure of the mechanism cannot be avoided. If the oil seal is intact, then when replacing the assembly it must be lubricated. Which lubricant is best used for this can be found in the video below or in one of our articles.
What are the bearings
There are many types of bearing elements that are classified according to a variety of characteristics. In automatic machines, two of their types are used, based on the design features:
- Metal. They are used more often because they are relatively inexpensive.
- Plastic dustproof. They are considered the best when compared to metal ones, as they have a two-layer structure (a metal base, which is additionally covered with a protective layer of plastic).
The type of part can be easily recognized by the marking (located on its outer surface): ZZ stands for metal, 2RS stands for plastic.
In addition, the bearing elements differ in width as well as the diameter of the circle (internal and external). This prerequisite must be considered when selecting a new spare part.
The correspondence of their types and sizes can be seen in the photo below, where d is the diameter of the inner hole, D is the outer, and h is the width.
How to choose a bearing
To replace a worn part, the main question will be how to find out what bearing number is needed for a specific model of CMA.
You won’t be able to buy a universal spare part, since the size range of nodes is very large. Even with one manufacturer of washing machines, it can count up to a dozen different sizes.
There are three options here:
- Look in the instructions for the device where the manufacturer must indicate this data.
- Search for the necessary information on the Internet through the serial number of the washer.
- Remove the old assembly and look at its marking.
The third option is the most reliable, since the removed element can be used as a sample for the selection of a similar spare part.
You can choose the option you need and being guided by what size range the CMA manufacturer himself prefers to use:
- The following codes are most often found in LG and Bosch brand washing machines: 6203, 6204, 6205, 6206, sometimes 6305 and 6306 (all marked with ZZ).
- In the SMA "Samsung" the most commonly used part is the type 6203 and 6204, sometimes 6205 and 6206.
- For Beko brand SMA, only ZZ 6203, 6204 and 6205 codes are suitable.
- Atlant washing machines are limited only by two codes 6204 and 6205.
- Ariston brand washing machines mainly use monobearings marked BA2B 306037 of the well-known Swedish brand SKF. In other cases, codes from 6203 to 6206 with the mark ZZ will do.
- Vestel and Zanussi brand washing machines are available in sizes 6203 and 6204.
- On the machines of the Indesit brand, mostly parts of 6204 or 6205 are installed, less often 6203.
This list is for guidance only, as the manufacturer may make changes to the packaging at its discretion. Therefore, we recommend that you select the size based on the specific model of the AGR.
Which company bearings are preferable to use? The following manufacturers are considered the most reliable:
- CX (Poland), the bearing blocks of which are the most versatile.
- SKF (Sweden). Their products are used by the brands Ariston and Indesit.
- EBI (Italy). This brand is preferred by Virpul, Bosch, and Bauknecht.
Before buying a new part, remember that it is necessary to replace the entire unit and better together with a rubber seal. After all, if the oil seal is not replaced with a new one, there is a risk that the repair will become a waste of your time and money.