Replacing a bearing in a Bosch washing machine: how to change it yourself, what is the price of new parts for a Bosch washing machine, how much does a professional’s work cost?

Bosch washing machines are reliable machines that have a long service life. During operation, the components of the device wear out and corrode.

One of the difficult situations is the need to replace a bearing. This is a complex job that can be done on your own or entrusted to a specialist.

We will talk about replacing bearings in a Bosch washing machine below.

When should you change?

The bearing unit is one of the main ones in the design of Bosch washing machines. It ensures rotation of the drum and influences the process of washing and spinning clothes. This unit is located on the drum itself and consists of an oil seal and bearings. There are almost always two of them in the washing machine.

Bearing wear begins over time, when a Bosch washing machine has been in use for more than a year. When a part wears out, it does not immediately lead to malfunctions of the device. And only over time does grinding and knocking begin to appear.

The noise first occurs during the spin phase. But then extraneous sounds begin to accompany even the washing process. It is not worth using a Bosch washing machine in this condition.

Causes of bearing failure:

Drum overload.
Leakage of the shaft seal, as a result of which water enters the bearing, which leads to its destruction.
Incorrect installation of the Bosch washing machine. If the drum rotates in the wrong plane, then an additional load is placed on the bearing for which it is not designed.

You can accurately determine the condition of the bearing during diagnostics by disassembling the washing machine and gaining access to the problem unit.

Maintenance and operation

To prevent the pump from breaking down or to prevent the situation from reoccurring with a pump that has already been replaced, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

Operate the machine according to the user manual.
Before loading dirty items into the drum, check the contents of the pockets. They most often contain debris that leads to pump failure.
Fasten buttons and zippers on clothes before washing.
Clean the drain filter and its seat at least once every 3 months.
Don't delay repairs. If unusual sounds and noises appear, you need to disassemble the housing and evaluate the condition of the pump.

It is more practical to immediately eliminate the formed blockage than to spend money on replacing or repairing the pump as a whole.

The pumps installed on Bosch washing machines are of high quality, so with proper and timely maintenance they will work for at least 10 years .

How to change it yourself?

Since replacing a bearing is a complex task, you should begin work only with great confidence in your own strengths and skills. An assistant may be needed to complete the entire scope of work.

Preparation

Before you begin disassembling the Bosch machine and making repairs, you should prepare the washing machine itself:

shut off the water supply to the device;
remove the plug from the socket;
empty the drum from the laundry;
disconnect the device from the sewer connection;
Pull out the washing machine so that the device can be approached from all sides.

To disassemble the washing machine and make repairs, you will need tools and WD-40 lubricant.

The toolkit should include:

screwdrivers (slotted and Phillips);
pliers - several pieces of different sizes;
bit;
awl;
hammer;
socket heads in a set (8-32 mm);
bearing removal device;
rubber mallet.

You will also need sealant, a 16mm bolt and a repair kit to replace the bearing assembly.

Disassembling a Bosch washing machine

The process of disassembling a Bosch washing machine is not easy. It consists of several stages performed sequentially.

Structurally, different models of Bosch washing machines may have differences. If possible, this point should be studied before disassembling the device. Before dismantling each next node, it is advisable to take photographs of all its connections.

Procedure:

Unscrew the screws from the rear wall and remove the service hatch cover.
Remove the Bosch top cover by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place.
Pull out the powder receptacle.
Unscrew the screws that hold the control panel.
Remove the panel.
Disconnect the contacts and set the removed panel aside.
Remove the drive belt.
Open the drain filter hatch.
Drain the remaining water from the washing machine tank.
Remove the bottom plastic cover.
Open the hatch door.
Under the cuff, find the spring on the clamp that holds the elastic.
Pull out the clamp.
Thread the rubber band into the drum.
Unscrew the screws that hold the front panel.
Remove the panel carefully, as it remains connected to the machine with the hatch lock.
Disconnect the door lock contacts.
Move the front panel to the side.
Disconnect and pull out the heating element from the front of the washing machine. To do this, you must first unfasten the wires, and then unscrew the central nut halfway. If you push it inside, you can remove the heating element.
Disconnect and remove the motor.
Remove the upper counterweight by unscrewing the nuts holding it in place.
Remove the front counterweight in the same way.
Using pliers, remove the clamps that secure the water supply pipes.
Loosen the clamp of the drain pipe and disconnect it from the tank. Water may leak from the pipe.
Disconnect the pressure switch and put it away.
Remove the wiring harnesses that may be attached to the outside of the tank.
Disconnect the pressure tap chamber.
Unscrew the lower shock absorber fasteners.
Disconnect the upper springs and pull the tank and drum out of the housing through the top of the washing machine.
Place the removed structure on the floor.
Release the inner clamp that holds the cuff in place.
Remove the cuff.

How to remove parts?

Further work is carried out directly with the removed tank. To replace the bearing assembly, the tank must be disassembled. On most Bosch models it has a collapsible design, which greatly simplifies the work process.

Procedure:

Place the tank with the pulley facing up.
Unscrew the bolt and remove the pulley.
Screw in an unnecessary bolt of the same size and knock out the shaft using a hammer. In this case, it is advisable to strike without tilting, so as not to damage the structure.
Remove the bolts that connect the two halves of the tank.
Unclamping the latches, separate the tank.
Get the drum.

These steps allow you to gain access to the rear of the tank, where the bearings are located. Before replacing, make sure that there are no defects on the shaft, crosspiece and bushing in contact with the bearing.

Flaws on them may indicate that the washing machine has worked with destructible bearings for quite a long time. If these elements wear out, they will also need to be replaced.

Then you can proceed directly to removing the bearings. To do this you need to use a chisel and a hammer. It is convenient when the tank is located on stable wooden blocks. The old bearings (first the outer one, and then the inner one) need to be knocked out. The oil seal is also removed with them.

How to replace?

The place where the oil seal and bearings were secured is wiped clean and lubricant is applied. Replacement is carried out with new bearings and the installation of an oil seal. In this case, lubricant is used in large quantities so that there are no unfilled voids left.

Reassembly

Reassembling the Bosch washing machine is carried out in the reverse order. Particular attention should be paid to joining the tank halves . When connecting, this joint must be coated very well with silicone sealant. After application, it must be given time to dry completely according to the instructions for the specific product used.

During the assembly process, you need to act methodically, referring to previously taken photographs. For assembly you will need the same set of tools that have already been used.

Replacing bearings is clearly shown in the video:

Identifying broken bearings

It is not difficult to understand that the BoschMaxx 5 needs to replace the bearings. The washing machine will signal every wash about problems with the drum assembly. The very first and most obvious “symptom” is increased vibration of the body, which during spinning develops into a strong hum and “jumping”. At the same time, a roar and clanging sound is heard, reminiscent of metal balls rolling. In neglected situations, rusty liquid will leak out from under the machine. It will also be found on the pulley if you remove the back wall and carry out an inspection.

You can also check the condition of the bearing assembly using a “manual test”.

We take hold of the edge of the drum.
We pull the container forward and back, and then left and right.
We evaluate the movement of the tank: if play is noticeable, the drum is loose, which means the bearings need to be replaced.

You cannot operate the washing machine with broken bearings. With each wash, the drum will become more loose and begin to hit the tank, destroying it and itself. All this will lead to an imbalance, the machine will begin to jump and gradually damage internal parts and mechanisms. The pulley will not be left out, which will make grooves on the outside and finally “break through” the drum cylinder. In this case, Bosch repairs will become several times more expensive.

How to choose new parts, at what price to buy?

You can buy the necessary spare parts in a specialized store. To do this, you need to know the model of your washing machine, since even the same manufacturer uses different bearings in different versions of washing machines.

Bearings are available in plastic and metal . The latter are in greater demand and are more popular. Their exact quantity can be clarified in the instructions for the washing machine; the size of the parts is also indicated there.

Bosch washing machines, depending on the model, can use different bearings. Most often this is 6306 or 6203. There is an alternative option for purchasing a suitable part. To do this, they go to the store with the old removed bearing and purchase a similar one.

The cost of the part depends on the manufacturer, place of purchase and model . In the online store, the price of bearings starts at 300 rubles. Some Bosch models have double-row monobearings. In this case, it is needed to replace one. On average, the price for such a part will be higher – from 1200 rubles.

Reasons for replacing the heating element in a Bosch washing machine

Incorrect wiring connections can cause problems with the heating element. After 4-5 years of using the washing machine, scale forms on the heater body. Because of this, the device may burn out or the intensity of water heating may deteriorate.

Replacing the heating element in Bosch brand washing machines is caused by an incorrect connection to the drain into the sewer. Because of this, water is randomly drained from the tank. And at this time the heating element heats up and burns out without water.

Reasons may also be: oxidation of the contacts of the heating device, burnout of the filament, improper operation of other components of the washing machine.

Possible difficulties

When repairing a Bosch washing machine, you may encounter various difficulties:

Problem	Ways to solve the problem
The screwdrivers provided do not fit the mounting screws.	You should take care in advance of a large set of screwdrivers and heads
The tank cannot be removed from the housing after disconnecting	You should check whether all fasteners have been disconnected, and whether the counterweights, which significantly weigh down the structure, have been removed.
After assembly and during the first start, a puddle appeared under the washer	To determine the location of the leak, the washing machine will have to be disassembled and diagnosed
Screws missing during installation	Screws lost due to carelessness can be replaced with similar ones.
Bearing cannot be removed	WD-40 can help remove stuck parts.
Some screws won't come out	WD-40 can help remove stuck parts.
The new bearing does not fit the seat	It is likely that the bearing you purchased does not fit your existing washing machine model.

Removing Old Bearings

The repair does not end with dividing the tank into two halves. It is necessary to put aside the part with the hole and take the one where there is a cross and a shaft. This is where the bearings are located and need to be removed and replaced.

But first, we clean the tank from accumulated dirt. If water softeners were not added during washing, the tank will be covered with a thick layer of scale and debris. The shaft suffers especially, as it sticks to the plastic due to rust. To deal with corrosion and mineral deposits, you will have to generously treat the joints with WD-40 and leave for 10-20 minutes.

Before knocking out the bearings, it is recommended to treat the drum shaft with WD-40 and wait 10-20 minutes.

Now let's start dismantling:

we place half the tank with a cross on top and fix it on bricks or previously removed counterweights;
use a screwdriver to pull out the oil seal;
We take a drift (you can also use a car puller), fix it with a wide tip on the bearing and, moving the tool in a circle, punch it with a hammer;
We tap the inner race in the same way.

Knocking out old bearings is the hardest and most dangerous part of the job. The risk is that you may misjudge the impact and damage the tank or shaft. But if you act carefully and handle the drift correctly, there will be no problems.

Call the master

Replacing bearings in a Bosch washing machine is a task that a beginner cannot handle. If it is impossible to carry out repairs on your own, you should contact a household appliance repair company .

Companies that have been providing support services for household washing equipment for several months now employ experienced craftsmen who can carry out high-quality repairs of any complexity.

The cost of work depends on the price list of the company and the type of repair. If other work needs to be done in addition to bearing replacement, the cost will be higher. On average in the capital, the price for replacing bearings in Bosch washing machines ranges from 4,000 rubles and more.

After the replacement has been carried out and the Bosch washing machine has been assembled, the technician performs a test run of the washing machine, after which a guarantee is issued .

Replacing suspension springs

Another shock-absorbing element is steel springs, with the help of which the drum is suspended inside the housing. They are located in the upper part of the machine body. These are quite reliable elements, the replacement of which is required extremely rarely. Sometimes the spring hooks pop out of the eye holes due to vibration; to easily install them in place, just lift the drum.

Not only the quiet operation of the washing machine, but also protection from vibration loads of other elements depends on the reliable operation of the dampers. If shock absorbers break down, it is best to replace them in a service center with a warranty.

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