Buy a new machine the drum bearings on that model are complete rubbish and hotpoint know about it.i should know i was an engineer for them untill i saw the light and went to miele as a service engineer do your self a favour and buy a miele it will last a minimum of 10 years as will have to take the drum out of the machine and split it into half to change the bearings it will end up costing you more money than the machines worth believe me i know ive changed thousands of them over the years!.
Mr Brown, February 2008