Is the drum of a direct drive LG washing machine collapsible?

Bearing failure on a washing machine is considered one of the most serious failures. Contacting a service center is not cheap - delivery there and back, plus the repair itself. But if the washing machine has a non-separable laundry tank, then the cost of repair can increase significantly, since the solid plastic part needs to be cut, the bearings replaced, and then glued back together, securing the seam with self-tapping screws. The process is very labor-intensive and time-consuming. It is much easier to fix a malfunction if the washing machines have a collapsible tank.

How to identify a washing machine with a collapsible tank

conclusions

The same brand can produce modifications with different tanks. Find out which option a particular SMA has, using any method available to you - question, consultation, examination, etc.
In 2022, manufacturers preferred SMAs with non-disassembling containers. This trend will continue to be observed in 2019 - the future belongs to monolithic tanks made from high-strength polymers. Non-removable polymer construction is the most profitable option. In terms of strength, they may be inferior to stainless steel, but they are economical and, subject to operating rules, can last as long as their metal counterparts.
Despite the dominance of non-separable tanks and all their advantages - strength, durability, efficiency, collapsible versions continue to be successful. This will continue until replacing a non-removable element costs 50% or more of the cost of the washing machine.

If you're hoping to extend the life of your future washer by replacing the bearings, look for a model with a tank that can be disassembled. Otherwise, bearing failure will cost you half the cost of the machine or you will have to replace it altogether.

All washing machines experience all sorts of breakdowns for various reasons, and there are no exceptions.

Every breakdown can be repaired. To do this, you should service your washing device more often. One of the most common failures is bearing failure.

Features of collapsible tanks and differences from non-collapsible ones

The official policy of washing machine repair service centers prohibits replacing bearings in solid wash tubs . Consenting to such a procedure entails the risk of paying at least double the price, since the chances of a successful outcome are negligible. After all, it is very difficult to restore the tightness of the tank. In most cases, such self-repair is enough for several washes. As a result, you have to change the entire assembly, as the manufacturer intended.

Solid tanks began to be installed on cars several years ago. In such models, many metal parts are replaced with plastic ones. In particular, we are talking about monolithic containers that even have a plastic drum.

Important! Tanks made of stainless steel can generally be unscrewed. The parts of modern polymer containers are connected in the same way.

A device with a collapsible tank does not need to be taken to a workshop. Any “home” craftsman can carry out dismantling and subsequent replacement of bearings. Even the user of the machine can unscrew several special bolts responsible for the tightness and separate the container into two halves without calling a service person.

Manufacturers motivate their preference for solid plastic tanks by searching for simpler ways to repair the unit. But they also don’t forget to mention the economic benefits: making a container from plastic is much cheaper than making it from metal. Also, the disadvantages of a collapsible tank include weight and noise during operation of the machine: for all-metal products, both are much greater. This often leads to rapid unbalancing of such a bulky unit.

What is the difference between a tank and a drum

A drum is a non-separable container that is used to store laundry. The material used is always high quality stainless steel. The inner surface is pierced with holes through which water and detergent are poured. The container rotates constantly, which helps clean the fabric. After all, the laundry constantly rubs against the inner surface.

Unlike the drum, the tank remains stationary throughout the entire cycle. It is usually made of either a polymer composition or stainless steel. The first option is more economical and is most common. During the washing period, the container is filled with water, which gradually enters the drum through the perforations. The tank can be collapsible or solid. Split parts are preferred as they make repairs easier.

Manufacturers of models with collapsible tanks

As a rule, all old washing machines have a collapsible tank. By “old” we mean units older than 5–10 years. In modern models, this advantage is becoming less and less common.

The Belarusian company ATLANT holds its position. All of their samples, regardless of the materials from which the insides of the automatic machine are made, can be successfully disassembled. The Korean manufacturer LG supports them in this, but with a small caveat: although some models can be unscrewed, the bearings cannot be changed, as mentioned above. However, this is offset by the low cost of replacing the entire rear forecastle at a certified service center.

Many companies have successfully switched to monolithic plastic containers, but also continue to produce brands with metal collapsible tanks . These include:

In Bosch washing machines, there are two types of tank, regardless of the material of manufacture. In the WAA series it is not dismantled, while the WAE series provides such an opportunity. The Bosch WLG series machine has both types of models.

The list of brands whose tank is no longer disassembled looks like this:

Important! It is not profitable for companies producing automatic washing machines to produce models with collapsible tanks, but in some cases such a design is required by certain technical requirements.

What washing devices are equipped with a collapsible tank?

No one will give you a complete answer to this question except the manufacturing company itself, because only they know what they are installing in their designs.

Washing units produced in our time remain a question to which we do not know the answer.

The manufacturing companies LG of the Korean brand and Atlant of the Belarusian brand understand this technology with one hundred percent confidence in our time.

There are also collapsible parts in brands such as Samsung, Electrolux, AEG . The companies Indesit, Candy and Ariston only have non-separable elements.

The manufacturer Boсsh produces washing designs with two types of tanks. In the WAA series there is no option to disassemble it, but in WAE it is present.

ARDO brand also produces washing machines with non-removable tanks.

The manufacturer LG has such an opportunity. At a Service Center with a certificate, it will be possible to disassemble the tank in this way; this will not even affect the price of the repair.

Methods for determining the collapsible tank of a machine

There are several ways to determine the material of a tank.

Check in the data sheet. It is known that at spin speeds of 1600 rpm and higher, machines use only stainless steel materials. And these data can be viewed in the technical data sheet. But the strength of polymers is growing every year, and soon this method of determination will become obsolete.
Ask your sales consultant when purchasing. But often managers of sales floors in hardware stores themselves do not know the structure of the units they sell. And if you ask to remove the front panel to examine the inside of the washing machine, you may receive a polite refusal.
Consult the service specialists in advance. A qualified specialist can give good advice on choosing a brand with the right tank, but there is nothing better than seeing everything in person.
Perform a personal visual inspection. To do this, you just need to tilt the machine and look underneath it. All devices do not have a bottom, and it will not be difficult to consider whether a given sample has the ability to replace bearings.

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All washing machines experience all sorts of breakdowns for various reasons, and there are no exceptions.

Every breakdown can be repaired. To do this, you should service your washing device more often. One of the most common failures is bearing failure.

Now it is logical to ask the question, in which washing units are collapsible tanks installed, because by installing such a tank, you can only replace broken bearings.

What types of tanks are there?

Both washing machines with a collapsible drum and with a solid one are produced. The operational capabilities of the equipment and its maintainability depend on the type of tank. We suggest considering both options.

Non-separable tanks. It is believed that the one-piece design is more reliable and durable, which is why many washing machines are equipped with cast containers. But in case of problems with bearings or crosspieces, local repairs are not provided by the manufacturer: either the entire assembly is replaced, or a new machine is purchased. In any case, you will have to pay a significant amount. Some craftsmen offer an alternative - sawing the tank by hand, and after repairing it, connect the halves and glue them firmly back together. True, no one can guarantee the tightness of the container, and the work will require a lot of effort and time.
Collapsible tanks. An improved option is collapsible tanks, where the two halves are connected with bolts that can be easily removed during dismantling and repair. Replacing bearings here is not difficult: just remove the tank, loosen the fastenings, unhook the forward forecastle, fix the damage and return everything to its place. Due to the tight fit and strong fixation, the proper tightness of the structure is ensured - leaks are excluded. As a result, the machine is successfully repaired, while the costs are minimal.

Collapsible tanks consist of two forecastles, which are easily connected thanks to the provided fastenings and ties.

You can halve both a non-separable and a collapsible tank. But in the latter case, repairs are simpler and much cheaper. Sawing through solid containers is quite risky and expensive - there is a high probability of not restoring the seal and aggravating the situation.

List of washing machines that have a collapsible drum

Replacing worn-out washing machine parts is not an easy task. The process of replacing bearings depends on the design of the tank?. Knowing which washing machines have a collapsible drum before starting repairs, you can determine the scope of repair work, tools and materials for this.

Differences between a collapsible drum and a non-collapsible one

The washing machine unit in which the washing process is carried out consists of two basic parts:

Tank. A stationary part into which water is collected. There is water in the tank throughout the entire wash cycle. The used liquid is replaced with clean liquid during rinsing.
Drum for laundry. A moving part into which laundry is loaded and moistened with working fluid from the tank through perforations (holes) in the drum.

The rotating drum is mounted on support bearings and secured to a stationary part - the tank. Bearings wear out and eventually require replacement. The difference in repair lies in the method of manufacturing the tank - it can be solid (cast, stamped) or dismountable - made of detachable parts (forecasters) assembled into a common structure. In machines with a solid tank, it is impossible to replace the bearings without interfering with the integrity of this part. Both types of machines are repairable, but, depending on the design of the tank, they are performed in different ways.

Advantages and disadvantages

Functionally and externally, washing machines with a collapsible unit do not differ in any way from solid ones. The difference becomes apparent when it becomes necessary to replace the bearing. Manufacturers of some brands can simultaneously produce models with tanks of different designs.

Both types of units have their own characteristics:

In non-separable tanks, the positive side is the reliability of the tank - the one-piece design is more reliable during operation. The negative is that if the support bearing is replaced, access to this part is impossible without partially destroying the integral structure of the tank.
Plus, the collapsible types have free access to the bearing; it appears after separating the tank halves. But the sealing gasket at the junction of the parts can leak, which can cause repairs to other components and parts of the washing machine.

How to find out which one is in the washing machine

The manufacturer does not mention the design features of the washing machine in the technical documentation or specifications. The machine is manufactured to work, and at the time of purchase there is no talk about post-warranty repairs. The bearing life is sufficient for the warranty period.

If you set a goal, you can still determine the type of construction at the time of purchase:

It happens that a sales consultant, having an inquisitive mind and knowledge of technology, has already figured out the essence of the question and will give a comprehensive answer. But this information should not be taken at its word - the seller can easily make a mistake or deliberately say what the buyer wants to hear. for him to make a purchase.
A more reliable source of information is the masters of service centers or repair shops; they are well versed in machines. But even here a puncture may occur - manufacturers are constantly modernizing their products, and a unit that has been produced for several years with a collapsible drum may turn out to be one-piece.
The most reliable way to identify a drum is to personally inspect the part and determine what type it is.

Popular models of washing machines with collapsible drums

The non-dismountable design is being used more and more often by manufacturers; if a dozen years ago a solid drum was a curiosity, in a modern washing machine it is more difficult to find a collapsible one. Manufacturers believe that a one-piece design is more reliable and cheaper to manufacture, and it is not practical to repair bearings - it is easier to replace the entire assembly.

List of manufacturers who prefer one-piece construction:

Indesit, Ariston, Candy, Zanussi, ARDO (Italy);
Beko (Türkiye);
Whirlpool (USA).

Brand of cars with collapsible tank:

Samsung, LG (Korea);
Atlant (Belarus);
AEG, Siemens (Germany);
Electrolux (Sweden);
Gorenje (Slovenia);
Haier (China).

The German brand Bosch produces both types of washing units: solid ones are marked with the index WAA, collapsible ones - WAE.

LG models with collapsible tanks

Front-loading washing machines from the Korean brand LG have proven themselves to be excellent - the equipment is durable to use and inexpensive to repair. The availability of the machines is also pleasing, since the models are presented in a wide price range: from 18 thousand to 275 thousand rubles. Also, these washing machines are distinguished by their efficiency, well-thought-out functionality and support of proprietary advanced technologies.

What's even better is that LG has quite a few models in its lineup with collapsible tanks. Here is a list of the most popular ones:

LG F-1096SD3 – “front-facing” with a capacity of up to 4 kg and a maximum spin speed of 1000 rpm for 20,900 rubles;
LG F1296ND0 - a model with a load of up to 6 kg, a spin speed of up to 1200 rpm and a cost of 25,900 rubles;
LG F-2J6WS1W - an automatic machine designed for simultaneous washing of items weighing up to 6.5 kg and spinning up to 1200 rpm, will cost 29 thousand rubles;
LG F-2J5HS6W – a 7 kg front-facing machine that accelerates to 1200 rpm when spinning, for 27,900 rubles;
LG Steam F4M5VS6S - the model holds 9 kg of laundry in the drum at a time, spins at a speed of up to 1400 rpm and costs about 36 thousand rubles.

Due to the collapsible tank in any of the listed washing machines, you can get to the bearings quickly and easily. The main thing is to follow safety precautions and take into account several features of the LG design.

Samsung cars with collapsible tanks

The Korean company Samsung is known for its innovative automatic machines. These machines feature stable software and are equipped with a number of unique technologies. The advantages of the brand also include stylish design, high quality washing and affordable price.

Most Samsung washing machines have collapsible tanks. Among them are the following models:

Samsung WW60K40G09W – washing machine with a capacity of up to 6 kg, a spin speed of up to 1000 rpm and a price tag from 27,700 rubles;
Samsung WW65K42E00W - a front-mounted automatic machine for 30,450 rubles, on which the drum holds up to 6.5 kg, and the engine accelerates to 1200;
Samsung WW70J52E03W – washing machine with a maximum load of 7 kg, a spin speed of up to 1200 and a cost of 32,400 rubles;
Samsung WW80R42LHDW - the model has a capacity of 8 kg, spins at speeds of up to 1200 rpm and costs 27,990 rubles;
Samsung WW10N64PRBX is a front-facing machine that washes 10.5 kg of clothes at a time, accelerates to 1400 rpm and costs about 35,100 rubles.

The above list is far from complete. There are dozens more “collapsible” models in the Samsung line, among which you can find the most suitable one in terms of functionality, price tag and power.

Other machines with collapsible and non-dismountable tanks

In addition to the listed brands, other manufacturers also produce equipment with collapsible tanks. They are less known, but they are cheaper and do not differ much in build quality. Five brands can be included in the list.

Budget Belarusian machines costing from 12,500 to 25,000 rubles. They are characterized by simple and cheap maintenance.
German machines of the middle and high price segment. The cost of one model starts from 32-100 thousand.
A Slovenian brand that produces regular machines and washing machines with an additional tank. Price tag – from 16 to 30 thousand rubles.
The German company produces washing machines with a collapsible tank at a price of both 20 thousand and 120 thousand. The functionality, design, dimensions and type of loading also differ.
A Chinese company with a range to suit every budget. There are also unique models - with two reels.

There is also a “black list”, where experts include equipment with non-separable tanks. Such machines cannot be repaired - it is better to avoid them. We are talking about the brands Indesit, Ariston, Candy, Zanussi, ARDO, Beko and Whirlpool. As for Bosch, both types of tank are found here. You just need to look at the serial number of the model: the combination “WAA” indicates a non-separable design, and “WAE” indicates a collapsible design.

First you need to understand what a collapsible tank is.

As we have already said, at some time your washing machine may break down due to faulty bearings, and they will have to be replaced with new parts. However, you can save money if you have a collapsible tank, because it allows you to remain open and, by replacing the bearings, you will not spend your money on service centers and craftsmen, but only on new bearings.

Washing machines, or rather their tank, consists of two forecastles - front and rear . They fit tightly together, and certain bolts hold the connection quite firmly. With this structure, the tank can be very easily disassembled into the rear and front forecastles, which will give you the opportunity to replace the bearings.

Today, a fairly large number of manufacturing companies produce designs without a collapsible tank, and if it is possible to disassemble the tank, then only its rear part, without the right to change bearings and other parts. According to experts, this option of tanks (whole) is the most convenient and reasonable choice.

Such whole (non-removable) tanks are completely replaced when they break down, even though quite a large number of craftsmen take on such work. The process of replacing a solid tank yourself is not very reliable, because there is little chance of connecting the lumen line hermetically, and not everyone can do this, and the repair itself is very expensive and there are no guarantees that after the repair the washing machine will work for a long time.

How to study a machine before buying?

Finding out the type of tank in a washing machine is not so easy - the manufacturer does not describe this information in the technical data sheet. You'll have to take the seller's word for it, but many consultants do not know such subtleties or blatantly deceive for the sake of profit. There is another option - to examine the “insides” of the machine:

remove the top housing cover;
look inside the machine;
inspect the tank from above.

If screws or bolts are visible in the central part of the tank, then the tank is collapsible. A barely noticeable seam or a sealed gap indicates the opposite. However, not every store allows you to disassemble a washing machine. Therefore, the third option remains - to “punch” the brand or serial number of the washing machine on the Internet. It is better to browse the forums and social networks of machine repair specialists. Surely they happened to work or live with the model they were looking for.

Source

How do you find out which models can have bearings replaced?

Manufacturers do not advertise information about the design features of washing machines. And most consumers become “in the know” only after a problem appears—when the bearings “fly.”

By looking at the documentation and characteristics of the machine you like, you can easily find out what kind of load it has, how many revolutions it produces during the spin cycle, what programs and modes it has. They will clearly tell you about its advantages and keep silent about the disadvantages. But neither the manufacturer nor the sellers like to talk about the “insides” of SMA. The topic of “collapsible or non-dismountable” is directly related to the issue of repair, but why should a buyer choosing an SMA think about breakdowns at the time of purchase?