Answer this Question (1 Answer)

• You don't need much in the way of specialist tools but a 200mm flexible drive is handy as a screwdriver extension which allows you to reach akward places. Most of the screw heads are TX type (star point) so a set of these screwdriver bits is essential. Once you have separated the outer plastic drum you will need a good support on which to rest the rear half while you drive out the inner drum and shaft downwards. You may need a 4lb hammer and have to hit the shaft end directly and heavily instead of protecting it with a piece of wood. This can close the threaded hole which the large pulley wheel is attached to and will require rethreading using an 8mm tap - second cut, which refers to the front end taper on the tap. The bearings and water seal can be driven out with a piece of metal tube or solid bar but keep it fairly long to avoid hitting your hands as the bearings fall out and make sure that you drive the bearings out evenly and replace them in a similar way making sure that they drive home perpendicularly - a flat piece of metal almost the size of the bearing outer is just the job for tapping the new bearings in and a hollow drift the same size as the recess in the water seal is also needed to avoid damaging it. With regard to the 30mm or 35mm bearing size query this set has one of each which the picture shows and the best way to determine any requirement like this is to use the manufacturers website to determine exact part numbers for any appliance parts and then find a supplier such as E pares who makes reference to the same part numbers. You will notice that the outer plastic wash drum when separated has a seal which is also glued and after you have cleaned this old glue away and replaced the seal a silicon sealant can be applied before the two halves are put back together. If the drum shaft is slightly rusty a fine emery paper can be used to restore its smoothness and hence ensuring the water seal will work. If it is badly rusted then you will need to fit a new spider which is part of that shaft assembly. Good luck. By Enna - Sussex - 22 October 2011