First off if you cant tell from listening whilst running if its the actual drum bearings,isolate the machine first,remove back cover and remove belts from the motor to the drum,you will be able to spin the drum itself by hand to see if its the drum causing the noise or the drive motor itself,the drive motor can be spun by hand also and you will feel a roughness whilst turning it if the bearings on this are on the way out,it should spin/turn smoothly. you can even run the motor itself without the drive belts attatched to the drum to ascertain the condition of the motor bearings,just make sure you are well clear when starting it up just for a short run then switch off immediately,it should run smoothly even during run down.
Charlie, December 2007
