BEARING,BALL

Special attention and "hardest" part of the job is pushing the bearings out without damaging the housing

Great video on how to repair........I removed the machine to the garage and began work.

Time to Repair - 4+ Hours

Number of times to get the repair right: 3

What I did right: Had all the tools and supplies mise en place. I also decided to replace the Spider and not just the bearings since I would have it all apart....this was a brilliant call. Plus I replaced the gaskets and seals, especially the bearing seal gasket.

What I did wrong: Thinking I was the Maytag repairman who came out of retirement and saved the day

How did it go: Well, lets just say that if you asked me what was more difficult and stressful: Being married 25 years, OR, fixing the wash machine....the later would take the cake. First off moving the thing to the garage to work on it was my biggest mistake (read why later). The overall disassembly is easy and just like the video. Nothing can prepare you, however, for the sight of a spider assembly that has been in the trenches with four teenage boys for the last 6 years. Like I gave this thing a full military send off with flyovers and everything when it went in the trash. Can you image the nastiness that it went through? Well, little pieces of history were stuck to this thing to the point some C4 was considered to put it out of its misery. Un Pro Tip: If you can get a jet propulsion pressure washer it still wouldn't work. Anyway.....Replace the spider assembly. Also enlist one of said teenage boys to pressure wash and scrub the inner and outer tub cause its going to look like the undercarriage of a hearse driving through a flooded cemetery. That part is a walk in the park to change compared to removing the bearings.

Bearings are very happy where they are currently installed. Like they ain't coming out for no reason. Its kinda like trying to remove a sheep carcass from a pack of hungry wolves...someone is gonna get hurt. So if you want to buy a whole new tub assembly for the bearings that would be Un Pro Tip #2: that I missed. Reseating the bearings is not too bad if you are good with having intellectual discussions with drunk people or teenage boys. And after that reassembly is a snap.

Un Pro Tip #3: There is a small, seemingly harmless tube at the bottom of the tub in back. It just pushes on. Push harder. Lube that thing up with dish soap and shove it on there like your life depended on it. Cause its gonna come back to bite you.

Un Pro Tip #4: Don't open the washer door because you are frustrated there is water leaking out the bottom (from previous Tip #3), you have unplugged said machine, and the tub is full of water. You will get a life like recreation of what the Egyptians felt like when Moses walked out of the Red Sea. You might just need to dry your shoes out. Or the basement.

Un Pro Tip #5: When you are overly frustrated from Un Pro Tip#4 DO NOT do anything until your shoes have dried out. Like try to drag the washer by yourself back to the garage. This will create other problems that lengthen the repair time to DAYS because you thought the Maury Povich show had some brilliant ideas on self management when frustrated.

Fixing the leak because you didn't push the small little drain tube onto its shaft with enough force is a reason to fell a little better, until you realized you took half the washer apart to find out you only needed to remove the back panel. This might be an Un Pro Tip, I don't know.

Un Pro Tip#6. Remain calm when after you install everything for the second time it still leaks like Russian atomic submarine. This is caused because you punctured the drain tube from violently trying to understand that little hole that didn't get enough shoving. BTW....drain tubes are inexpensive and ship within 3 days, so teenage boys only have to wear their skivies twice before washing. This is not unusual.

Replacing the drain tube is fairly easy after you have taken the machine apart 5 times now, so one hour and you are done.

The stress from sitting here typing this while drowning in a Old Fashioned and hearing the washing machine process britches that have not been washed in a week is more stressful than watching Joe Biden walk up the steps to an airplane. Like this thing could blow at any minute.

Un Pro Tip #7: Don't read emails that ask for your repair opinion 3 days after screwing it up several times and then consulting Jack Daniels for advice. You might just be honest.

Good luck.

Be sure to read other instructions posted on this site, and watch the LG washer teardown videos on YouTube. DO NOT attempt to repair unless you have genuine LG (OEM) parts, such as those sold by this site. The most difficult step is removing the spider from the rear case; I had to use a 4lb sledge hammer to hit the spider shaft; use a strip of softer metal, such as 1/8" aluminum, to protect the shaft. Once the spider is removed, the bearings can be tapped-out of the rear case. My spider was worn because the bearing seized and needed replacement. Also, the bolts connecting the spider to the drum were severely corroded, so the drum also needed replacement.

First, I ordered both bearings, shaft and tub seals but I got it apart and the back tub had bulges and cracks around the bearing pocket. I then ordered the back tub half and it came with the bearings, shaft seal and the 3 accordion hoses installed. I wish I would have ordered the tub half the first time around. I recommend NOT to bother with just the bearings and shaft seal. Craig.

Disassembly time was about four hours, repair time about thirty minutes, and reassembly around two hours.I had really cramped quarters in which to work. I could either push the machine forward and work on the back or push it back and work on the front.I looked up bearing repair on You Tube then played it on a tablet one part at a time for disassembly. Once I got to the stator cover bolt, I removed it and the stator cover. I left the stator in place but was careful not to damage any of the coils. Taking the spider off was the biggest challenge. The video I was watching didn't mention that the screws had thread-lock on them and it felt like the threads would strip. After additional research, I used the penetrant and let it sit for about a half hour. Everything proceeded from there without incident. I followed the video recommendation to use dishwashing liquid to coat the bearings for installation. Reassembly was straightforward. There were two items that gave me the most trouble. The first was removal and installation the tub. Here it helps to have another set of hands. The second was installation of the tub seal clamp, but I didn't have locking pliers. In closing, one thing does not identify itself well on the illustrated parts drawings that are available--the large tub seal. I called LG tech support to verify it was correct before submitting my parts order.

Changing your LG washing machines bearings

YouTube video made it easier. It was a different model but it still worked. First when you take your Machine apart put all the Screws and bolts back in the holes where you can, so you can find them later. This is a big job. If you're not mechanically inclined don't try it.

Nevertheless, it was a lot easier than I thought. Use a camera/phone for pictures of the wiring. The hardest part of the job was getting the old bearings out. Do it like they show you on YouTube, Use a socket with an extension and a good mallet to the pound out the old bearings, the Gasket came out easy. Put your new bearings in place and gasket and your just about home free.

Reassembling the wash machine went fast. I don’t know what else to say I’m an older retired man with back problems and I did it. Just use common sense and you'll be fine. YouTube said it was a 5 hour job it took me about 10 hours, 8 hours taking it apart thanks to those darn stuck bearings. Less than two putting it back together.

The next time I'll do it in 5 hours or less. Lol

Hay what do you have to lose? It would cost more for a repairman or buying a new machine. Worst case scenario is make it easier to carry out the machine.

Oh by the way, I did this in 2 different sessions. Started before the bearings arrived and finished when they arrived.

Good luck

Replaced the tub bearings, seal and the 3 shocks. The most difficult part was the removal of the axle. I suggest you spray the axle with WD-40 and leave this at least 1 day. Clean the Tub and outer part with a high pressure spray (if available). Once completed the washer is performing as a brand new washer. The parts were delivered on-time and prices were reasonable. I highly recommend this supplier.

Removed drum out to open in two parts , ( plastic drum ) them nuckauot SS drum out . To removed damage bearings. Clean shaft , install new bearings and seal . Put back parts , connect all disconnected switches .run a test for no leackes . Machine run nice and smooth .

Watched how to do it yourself video online