How to remove the drum from the washing machine tank

The need to knock the drum out of the washing machine tank may arise when replacing bearings, a seal or a crosspiece. In any case, to get the tank out, you will have to almost completely disassemble the machine. We will tell you how to do it yourself, quickly and without making mistakes.

Tools and materials

To remove the drum, you need to pull the tank out of the machine. To do this, you will have to remove the top, front and back walls of the case, remove the motor from the washing machine, disconnect all the wiring from the plastic tank, etc. During the work, you need to have on hand:

• A couple of screwdrivers - slotted and Phillips,
• Set of wrenches,
• A hacksaw for metal or a cut-off saw (if the tank of your automatic machine is non-separable),
• Screwdriver,
• Hammer,
• Punch.

It is also useful to buy WD-40 aerosol liquid. The spray will help to cope with "stuck" parts and fasteners. Having prepared all the necessary tools, you can start repairing. Be sure to de-energize the machine before disassembling its body.

Let's halve the tank

Many people are concerned about how to remove the tank from the washing machine. First, you need to move the machine away from the wall to have free access to it from all sides and disconnect the equipment from communications. Further algorithm of actions:

• Remove the top cover of the case,
• Remove the powder receptacle,
• Remove the bolts that hold the control panel,
• Remove the dashboard by disconnecting the wiring from it,
• Remove the lower decorative false panel,
• Remove the clamps holding the drum cuff,
• Remove the sealing rubber,
• Unscrew the bolts holding the UBL and remove the lock,
• Unscrew the bolts securing the front wall of the case and remove the panel,
• Remove the back wall,
• Remove the drive belt,
• Disconnect all elements connected to the tank: sensors, pipes, wires, parts,
• Having dealt with the shock absorbers, remove the tank from the housing.

The further course of work will depend on what kind of tank is installed on your automatic machine. If the tank is detachable, to "split" it in half, you will only need to unscrew the screws that hold the two parts together and release the plastic latches. It is a completely different matter if the tank is "monolithic".

There are several options for cutting a plastic tank. This could be:

• Hacksaw for metal,
• Bulgarian,
• Cut-off saw,
• Renovator.

First, you need to mark the border along which the sawing will take place with a marker. Some craftsmen advise cutting the tank in half directly along the factory seam. In this case, the work is easy to do with a regular hacksaw for metal.

Most craftsmen recommend sawing the tank from the top side, so that in the future the load on the tank will be less. The "path" for sawing looks like the one shown in the picture.

In this case, it is more convenient to saw the tank using a cut-off saw or a renovator. Put a suitable attachment on the tool and start working. It is important to put on safety glasses, as hot plastic shavings may fly off the tank during disassembly.

Another advantage of a cut-off saw is the ability to cut out curves. This may be necessary if there is some important structural element on your tank in the place of the cut that needs to be bypassed. For example, a stiffening rib.

If you have a renovator at home (a multifunctional tool with different attachments), you can use it to saw the tank. It is more powerful, so it will be easier to "halve" the tank. There will not be so many plastic shavings flying around during the work.

To get the drum itself, you need to work some more. Turn the tank over, put wooden blocks under it on both sides and remove the pulley. Next, apply WD-40 to the place where the "drum wheel" is attached, let the composition work for 15-20 minutes. Using a punch and a hammer, carefully tap in the center so that the drum flies off the mount down. This will allow you to remove the drum from the tank of the automatic machine. Then, replace the worn parts and assemble everything in the reverse order. To fasten the two parts of the tank, you will need a soldering iron and a building hair dryer.

First, you need to use a soldering iron to “grab” the parts of the tank together on four sides so that the upper, sawn-off rim is fixed in place. To do this, heat up one and a half to two centimeters of plastic with a hair dryer, then smooth out the soft area with a soldering iron. This way, the “halves” are securely fastened to each other.

Having soldered the entire seam, you can begin assembling the body of the automatic machine. Keep in mind that the sawn stiffeners must be restored as best as possible so as not to disrupt the normal operation of the machine. Having returned all the parts to their places, run a test wash and watch how the "home assistant" copes with the task.