How to remove Ardo washing machine drum

In most cases, you can repair the washing machine yourself - you just need to figure out how the machine is designed, where the parts are located and what they are responsible for. For example, you can change the bearings yourself, for this you need to remove the drum on the Ardo washing machine. The same actions will have to be performed, for example, if the tank breaks. Let's figure out how to remove the "centrifuge", what tools will be needed during the work.

Stock up on tools and patience

No "unique" tools are needed to extract the drum, a standard set available in every home will suffice. In the process of work, you will need a couple of screwdrivers (Phillips and minus), a small hammer, a screwdriver, a drill, a set of Allen keys, pliers, a hacksaw for metal. In addition, you will need WD-40 aerosol lubricant, silicone sealant (for subsequent assembly of the tank), a marker and several self-tapping screws.

It is better not to buy components to be replaced in advance, as it is easy to make a mistake with their markings. It is much more correct to first disassemble the washing machine, remove the parts, and only then purchase new elements. Having collected all the tools that will be needed to disassemble the machine, it is worthwhile to directly prepare the machine and the workplace. The upcoming repair will take a lot of time, so it is better to equip a full-fledged home "workshop" for yourself so that nothing interferes with the work. The ideal option is to take the machine to an empty garage and perform all manipulations with it there.

If there is no possibility to work in the garage, the place can be equipped at home. The unit should be moved to a spacious room, where 3-4 square meters will be free. It is better to cover the floor under the machine with film or old rags. When everything is ready, you can start disassembling the body of the Ardo washing machine.

We remove parts around the tank

When working with household appliances, it is important to follow safety precautions. Be sure to disconnect the washing machine from the power supply, turn off the water supply tap, detach the drain corrugated pipe and the inlet hose from the body. Then drain the remaining water from the system:

• Prepare a small container to collect the liquid,
• Open the technical hatch in the lower corner of the machine,
• Place a basin under the washing machine body, in the area where the waste filter is located,
• Unscrew the "plug" of the trash can,
• Collect water in a container,
• Rinse the filter under running warm water and dry it. Screw the fixing element back in after the repair work is completed.

After disconnecting the power from the washing machine and draining the water from the system, you can begin disassembling. The algorithm of actions will be as follows:

• Unhook the "top". To do this, you need to unscrew a couple of bolts that secure the cover at the back. To remove the panel, you need to slightly move it back from the control panel and immediately pull it up,
• Unscrew the screws located around the perimeter of the rear wall of the case. Remove the panel and set it aside,
• Inspect the "insides" of the machine. You will see the tank, pulley, motor, and drive belt. If there are rusty streaks "coming out" from the center on the plastic container, you can safely say that the seal is worn out and the bearings are damaged,
• Remove the drive belt from the pulley,
• Disconnect the wiring that goes to the tank. This is the power supply for the heating element, thermostat, and engine,
• Unscrew the screws securing the washing machine's electric motor,
• Loosen the central nut of the heating element, then remove the tubular heater from the unit,
• Remove the counterweight with a hex key. The concrete block is located on top, right under the machine cover. It is needed to make the washing machine heavier. Due to the "stone", the machine does not jump during operation and vibrates less during spinning,
• Unhook the hose and wiring from the pressure switch. Then carefully remove the water level sensor from the housing,
• Remove the powder container,
• Loosen the clamps securing the pipes directed to the powder receptacle. After that, remove the "hopper" of the detergent dispenser from the machine,
• Carefully lay the machine on its right side. If the Ardo has a bottom, unscrew the screws and remove the tray,
• Unscrew the bolts located to the right and left of the debris filter,
• Push the snail, where the filter is inserted, into the machine body,
• Unhook the wiring from the drain pump. Loosen the clamps and disconnect all the pipes from the pump,
• Remove the pump from the washing machine,
• Remove the machine's electric motor. Since its fasteners have already been unscrewed earlier, all that remains is to move the motor back and pull it down,
• Unscrew the shock absorbers that support the tank.

Now nothing prevents you from removing the tank and drum from the Ardo automatic machine. All the main elements and sensors are disconnected from the plastic container. We will tell you what to do next.

We dismantle and disassemble the tank

At this stage, the Ardo washing machine is lying on its side – it is necessary to put the machine on its legs. It is necessary to return the device to the vertical position very carefully, since the tank-drum unit is now held in the body by only a couple of springs.

Removing the electronic unit is easy. You need to unscrew the board fasteners and remove the control module by pressing the latches. At the stage of removing the plastic container, it is better to call an assistant. It is much easier to pull out the drum with four hands. You should grab the tank, remove it from the shock-absorbing springs and take it out of the washing machine through the top.

Now it remains to "penetrate" inside the plastic tank, that's where the drum is "hidden". The main difficulty is that Ardo washing machines are equipped with non-separable tanks. However, such an unpleasant "surprise" will not prevent you from repairing the automatic machine.

Of course, monolithic tanks complicate the repair of washing equipment. It is easy to understand why the manufacturer equips the machines with such units - this allows to reduce the cost of the equipment. Another reason is that the manufacturer hopes that even in the case of a trivial breakdown of the bearing unit, the user will have to buy either a whole tank for replacement or a new automatic machine. And this is a good profit for the seller.

However, craftsmen and home "handymen" have long figured out how to repair an automatic Ardo machine without buying expensive components. To remove the drum, you need to carefully saw the tank, replace the necessary parts, and then glue the halves together with a special waterproof compound. The algorithm of actions will be as follows:

• Inspect the plastic container. Find where the factory connecting seam runs,
• Using a marker, mark a line along which you will cut the tank. It should run directly along the weld,
• Using a drill with a thin drill bit, make several holes along the marked strip, at a distance of 3-5 cm from each other,
• Use a hacksaw to cut the tank in half, following the marks strictly,
• Remove the top of the tank,
• Turn the bottom half of the tank over to find the wheel that secures the drum to the plastic,
• Remove the fasteners and take out the drum,
• Install the seal and bearings (or other elements that need to be replaced),
• Assemble the structure: secure the drum in the tank, then connect the halves of the plastic container together.

The seam should be degreased, and a layer of sealant should be applied to it. After that, it is necessary to lay the upper part on the lower one, press on the halves for several minutes. It is strongly recommended to additionally strengthen the structure with screws. Now it remains to return the "tank-drum" unit to its place, put all the previously removed parts, connect the wires and pipes. Photos taken during disassembly of the machine will help to do everything correctly.

The process of removing the drum from the washing machine is quite labour-intensive. However, by doing the repair yourself, you will be able to save a decent amount that a service center technician would ask for his services. If you do not deviate from the instructions and strictly follow the recommendations, even a “newbie” will succeed, and the machine will work in the same mode.