Please could anyone help with broken washing machine?!

angelfire

We have a Tricity Bendix AW1001W which is 2 yrs and 2 mths old. After a few weeks of strange intermittent banging during a spin cycle (like a cricket ball bouncing round the drum), it has ceased spinning at all.
So I tried to turn the drum from the inside and met some resistance. So with a little force I managed to turn it and felt the belt come off the back and the drum consequently become very easy to spin.
So I removed the top and the back panels and the first thing that struck me was what appeared to be spattering of black and brown dried drip marks all over the bottom half of the back of the drum / panel, clearly coming from the bottom of what I assume to be a main bearing (where the belt wheel centre goes into the drum).
I got the belt back on to the wheel and ran a spin cycle. It worked, but as it got up to full speed I could see the belt wheel kick out by a few mm's ever time the bang happened, which at full speed was quite often and increased in frequency as the spin cycle went on.
At this point I cancelled the spin cycle and tried to play with the wheel. I noticed that with my hands at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock there was no forwards or backwards play, however with my hands at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock I noticed that 6 could be pushed in slightly as 12 would slightly pull away from the drum. not by much but quite noticeable given that there was no movement at all with 9 and 3.

I'm no mechanic, but would I be right in concluding that the bearing has gone? and if so is this common? And is it easy / cheap to fix (not by myself - wouldn't know where to start!!) ANY help would be massively appreciated as our baby's wearing smelly clothes now!! Andy.

totalsolutions

Possibly the bearings. A full complete strip down just to get the drum out. Then the bearings off the shaft. Not worth the hassle to me, I would throw it out and get a much better brand next time. Ask the dealer to fix as under 6yrs old?

angelfire

totalsolutions wrote: »

Possibly the bearings. A full complete strip down just to get the drum out. Then the bearings off the shaft. Not worth the hassle to me, I would throw it out and get a much better brand next time. Ask the dealer to fix as under 6yrs old?

it was bought from John Lewis and is only just outside of their 2 year guarantee - sod's law!

keith969

You could go back to John Lewis and argue that under the Sale of Goods Act the machine was not fit for purpose. You would not expect the bearings to go after 2 years, and the fact that's its only just outside the guarantee may help there. Don't get fobbed off with 'its the manufacturer's responsibility', under the SOGA it is the retailer's responsibility.

I'd do it in person - go to the store where you bought it and ask to speak to the department manager. John Lewis have just reported record sales so they might be in a good mood stilll!

Basil1234

well they are john lewis i would phone up the stores manager and explain you would not expect the machine to go wrong in this short time explain what keith969 has said under soga as in not fit for purpose. also explain you bought john lewis because you believed them to be quailty and see what he comes back with. i reckon if you try that tact you may find him helpful but i would settle for nothing less than speaking with the stores manager not any dept manager as no one else will have the power to deal with you request in this way. let us know how you get on.

if they refuse you mention the words tradings standards watchdog and here also the words small claims court work wonders
but i would be suprised if you have to use those words above as john lewis arent the likes the normal electricals retailers

angelfire

Hi, thanks for all the replies thus far - we are on the phone now to JL. Unfortunately the machine wasn't bought from a store, it was bought online and I haven't had much luck with them so my partner has taken over the call! we shall keep you posted!

angelfire

ok, so after speaking to four people he's been offered £100 off a new machine - what do ya all reckon? They're currently doing an own branded one at £269 with a 3 year warranty..?

keith969

Sounds like an offer not to be refused!

angelfire

Ok, well we spoke to a lovely lady called Gillian Bori and after a little bit of haggling were given a brand new Zanussi machine, priced on the website at £279, for just £80!. Can't really say fairer than that!

Many many many thanks to everyone who's responded to this thread, before this we were about to go and spend the full amount on a new machine. You've saved us a fortune! :beer::D

this is why I love MSE!