Electric brushes are an essential component of a washing machine. If you hear a distinctive cracking sound while your machine is running, the brushes on your motor are likely worn out. How do you change the brushes in your washing machine yourself?
This problem must be eliminated as soon as possible after its detection, so as not to worsen the situation with the washing machine. Electric brushes can be purchased at a service center or in a specialty store.
Brushes for electric motors
Main purpose
Brushes are one of the key components in an automatic machine, responsible for contact. During operation, brushes transmit energy from the external circuit to the machine's motor.
This causes the drum to rotate, and this is what makes the machine work.
All washing machine brushes are equipped with steel springs and copper contacts, but there are also some different elements, such as the pressure part.
Types
There are three types of brushes for electric motors:
Carbon-graphite;- Copper-graphite;
- Electrographitized.
Based on reviews and expert opinions, it is recommended to purchase special (original) parts from manufacturers such as:
- Bosch
- Whirpool
- Zanussi
- Beko
Interchangeability
There are cases where electric brushes from one manufacturer may be compatible with automatic machines from completely different brands. Here's an example:
The Indesit L C00194594 carbon brush fits most automatic washing machines, such as Indesit, as well as washing machines from Bosch, Samsung or Zanussi.
Universal wiper blades are cheaper than original ones, but price also affects quality and performance – the blades may not be the right size, may be of poor quality, and may wear out quickly.
Of course, it's better to buy original parts to avoid spending more money in the future.
Surveys conducted among washing machine owners and service center employees revealed that the most common malfunctions and breakdowns among washing machines are those from Indesit and Ariston.
33% of washing machines were sent for repair due to a wide variety of different types of problems.
When do brushes need to be replaced and what is their lifespan?
In most cases, washing machine problems arise from problems with the electric motor, which the owner is unable to repair on their own. Problems with the brushes are also possible, as they are a consumable part that, unlike the motor, can be easily repaired without calling an appliance repair service.
The expected lifespan of brushes with fairly frequent use of the washing machine is 5 years.
There is a chance that the machine will serve you much longer if you use it less often - then the service life is up to 10 years.
Washing machine brushes are made of a fragile, soft material, so they are prone to wear and tear. However, they are much easier to replace than the motor itself. In many cases, as experience has shown, electric brushes break less frequently than, for example, other "critical" parts of the machine.
Several signs of faulty brushes:
Washing machine stoppage not related to problems with electricity and voltage;- The appearance of various types of noise, such as knocking or crackling, during the operation of the washing machine;
- Poor spinning of laundry, which can indicate a problem with reduced motor power;
- An unpleasant smell, similar to burnt rubber or heated plastic, in a word – burning;
- Program failure. Can be identified by the error code on the electronic display.
If you notice any of the above symptoms, you should immediately change the brushes in the unit's motor.
If you want to prevent problems of this nature in the future, we recommend that you read the washing instructions and follow them.
Machine operating tips
1) do not overload the drum with items – it is better to distribute the load evenly throughout the wash;
2) do not run the washing machine more than 3 times in a row;
3) Divide the laundry into several loads, possibly on different days.
Help choosing brushes for washing machines
To avoid problems of this kind in the future, it is necessary to handle the device correctly and carefully.
If you're 100% certain the brushes are the problem, you should replace them immediately. Perhaps you don't know which brushes you need. Specialists at specialty stores can help; all you need to do is know your washing machine model or simply bring in the damaged brush.
We don't recommend purchasing components that have already been used. It's much easier and safer to buy a new part than to pay for immediate repairs to your washing machine.
Some tips for choosing brushes:
- It's best to buy original brushes for your electric motor from a single manufacturer. While you can certainly use generic parts, this could lead to more serious problems with your appliance in the future.
- It's also important to note that if one of your two electric brushes fails, you'll need to replace both. The brushes must be identical in condition.
- We recommend that you check parts promptly for hidden defects.
Replacing the brushes is actually not difficult, so most owners of automatic machines try to repair them themselves.
Replacing a washing machine brush yourself
Brushes are considered consumable parts due to their wear and tear, so they require timely replacement. In many washing machines of different models and brands, simply removing the rear panel is sufficient to replace the brushes, but some models require complete disassembly.
There are also some designs where access to the motor is impossible even with complete disassembly, so you'll need to take your machine to a service center, where they'll disassemble the motor and replace the brushes. Prepare the tools in advance before disassembling the washing machine and installing the new brushes.
Separating the motor from the drum
The main task is to disconnect the motor from the drum. Unplug the machine, disconnect the contacts, and begin working on the motor. First, make sure the problem is with the brushes; their wear is easy to spot.
Brushes must be replaced if the length of the used rods on old brushes is from 1.5 to 2 centimeters.
Replacement is necessary due to uneven wear of the rods. It's also possible that the rods will wear out faster, so replacement will be necessary after a few weeks.
Organize your work into stages in advance and write it down, draw it, or even take a photo. This will help you assemble your structure correctly, without missing anything, and without mixing up any parts.
We photograph the sequence of works
Before replacing the brushes, note their location and the direction of the bevel. If they are installed incorrectly, the motor may spark.
You can remove the brushes using screwdrivers, after which inspect the motor collector.
If any defects are found, such as scratches or just dust, they need to be eliminated.
Scratches can be removed with fine-grain sandpaper, and dust can be brushed off. After this, new brushes (original ones are best) can be installed, securing them in place with screws.
If you recorded your work progress, then reassembling it will not be difficult for you.
After installing the brushes, put the motor back in place, secure it, install the electrical wires and close the back panel.
We're testing
Once you've installed the brushes and motor, you need to test them to ensure they're working properly and allow the new brushes to settle into place. You can test them using the following methods:
- – turn on the machine in spin mode;
- – set and start the fastest washing program.
We recommend not to overload the drum with laundry for the first 10-15 washes, as the new washing machine brushes need to settle into their new location.
Check and replace the motor brushes regularly, and don't forget to perform regular inspections. Lubricate the parts and perform preventative maintenance.
If you follow these rules and use your washing machine according to the instructions, your appliance will serve you well and for a long time. Failure to do so will result in serious malfunctions that will be very difficult to fix.
