Why does the belt on my washing machine come off?

The drive belt is an indispensable element in automatic machines equipped with a collector electric motor. It transmits impulses from the engine to the pulley, thereby spinning the drum. When the rubber is stretched, the operation of the equipment is disrupted.

What to do when the belt on the washing machine comes off? Contact the service center or try to repair the equipment yourself? Let's figure out what to do in such a situation.

Why did the drive element come off?

Before buying new components for the washing machine, you should make sure that the problem is definitely in the drive mechanism. The belt jumps off the drum for various reasons. The main ones are:

• failure by the user to comply with the maximum permissible load weight. If the washing machine is systematically operated under increased load, then after some time the belt will fall off. When the rubber band has fallen off for the first time, you can put it back on, but if the “incident” happens again, you will have to replace the element,
• natural wear and tear. Over time, the rubber stretches and begins to fly off the pulley. In this situation, you will have to replace the drive belt,
• weakening of the engine fixation. During the operation of the machine, due to constant shaking, the fastenings of various units, including the engine, become loose. So the engine will wobble, stretching the belt. The solution to the problem is simple - tighten the element tighter,
• deformation of the pulley or shaft. You can try to straighten the "wheel". However, in most cases, replacement of parts is required,
• loosening of the bolt securing the pulley. In this situation, it is enough to simply tighten the fastener, and the wheel will stop “dangling”,
• crosspiece defect. If this part, which connects the shaft to the housing, is damaged, the drive belt will begin to fall off. The solution to the problem is to replace it,
• bearing unit damage. Broken bearings provoke a "skew" of the system, so the belt slipping off becomes inevitable. In such a situation, you will have to change the rings and the seal.

Also, the drive belt may fly off if the washing machine was started for the first time after a long period of inactivity. This is explained by the fact that the rubber dries out in the absence of work and cracks. Repair will consist of replacing the element.

Should I invite a professional?

You should call a technician to fix the problem if you have neither the time nor the desire to deal with the problem. In any case, it is recommended to contact a good service center rather than "home specialists" because:

• They provide a guarantee for the work performed,
• The likelihood that "native" parts will be used for repairs increases.

You should seek help from specialists in case of serious problems: a defective crosspiece or damaged bearings. If the belt is damaged due to wear, you can tighten a new rubber band yourself. We will tell you how to do it.

We put the belt back in place ourselves

To change the belt, you don't need any special knowledge. All you need is physical strength and some skill. The new rubber is quite tight, and you need to try to put it on the pulley. The algorithm of actions will be as follows:

• Unplug the washing machine,
• Disconnect the drain and filler hoses from the body,
• Unscrew a couple of bolts and remove the “top” of the machine by sliding the body element back,
• Remove the screws securing the rear panel of the case, remove the wall,
• Pull the belt onto the engine shaft (use a screwdriver to make it easier to pull),
• Place a piece of rubber on the drum pulley, slowly rotate the “wheel” to tighten the belt completely,
• Turn the drum pulley - it should rotate slightly stiffly,
• Check that the belt fits tightly into the grooves,
• Assemble the washing machine body, putting the back and top panels in place.

When buying a new belt, focus on the model of your automatic machine. It is better to buy "factory" components. You can come to the store with an old rubber band and ask the manager to select an analogue.

The belt may "jump off" again

Installing a new rubber does not always help to forget about the problem for a long time. If the belt slips again within 2-3 months after replacement, an in-depth diagnostics of the drive system elements will be required. There is no point in tightening it again, sooner or later the problem will reoccur.

When the problem is with broken bearings, it is necessary to replace the elements as soon as possible. A characteristic "symptom" of a malfunction is a loud roar when the washing machine is running. Rusty streaks on the back wall of the tank will also indicate problems with the rings and seal.

Often the drive belt comes off due to systematic overloading of the washing machine. Therefore, it is very important to monitor how many things you put in the drum. Information on how to properly load the machine is in the user manual.