Anyone know how to change the bearings on a Zanussi FJ1093, please?

Manesh, September 2004

I've just tried to replace the front bearing on a Zanussi (admittedly a different model FLA1001w but a similar construction) My advice is don't bother. The notion of removing the rear half of the drum is pure fiction. All the screw bolts securing the two halves together have their heads on the front half of the drum and virtually all are impossible to get to with normal hands and tools. They are also very tight (rightly so). I elected to remove the whole drum. This sounds daunting but it does allow clear access for the rest of the job. All pipes and wires etc have to be disconnected. Remove the concrete counter balance, pulley wheel etc. Undo the plastic ring clip retaining the rubber door seal, and remove the seal from around the rim. Next I lowered the whole m/c onto its front but making sure that the door could not shut and trap the seal. In this position it is probably easier to remove the springs and the shock mounts. The plastic pins holding the shocks to the rear of the drum have a hidden locking mechanism which you only find out about after breaking one! Again the locking portion is on the front side of the drum assembly and is not clearly visible or accessible. You have to depress the locking tab to allow the pin to be extracted. The springs also have to be released; this is also not as easy as it would appear. Line up a few band-aids before attempting. Then when everything is disconnected it should be possible to lift the whole drum out. It would be easier with two people. If no-one else is around make sure you have a couple more band-aids and a can of lager waiting. Once the drum is out you can then begin to remove the countless bolts holding the two halves together. I then discovered that you really need to remove the motor as well to get the two halves apart. Having got the two halves apart it should then be a simple matter of removing the inner drum complete with spider. NOt so. It really is a tight fit in the rear bearing. Despite much effort, hammering, coaxing etc the shaft would not come out and in the end I gave up and bought a new machine. Maybe you will be luckier than me. I wish you every success and hope you can gain from my abortive attempts.

Paul, May 2005

thanks guys..

Manesh, December 2004

You would be safer replcing complete bach halve and drum spider if you do not want the problem to reoccur sometimes bearing has gone that bad it is impossible to remove inner drum as it is to corroded here is a list of parts you would need
tub rear half
tub seal
spider
heating element
this is the safest way i know done hundreds of em
Domestic Appliance Engineer (well known company)

david newley, October 2004

I have just done a bearing change on my FJ1093.It requires you
to take the rear of the machine off and work towards splitting the tub in half.Take the drive belt off and the drive wheel. Unplug and remove wires (Element plugs,sensor plug and earth wires.)Remove weight from top of rear tub.Undo rubber fitting at top right hand side of rear tub. Now you have to remove all the bolts around the joint in the centre of the tubs.This is a bit awkward to get into so use a ratchet spanner and a socket set where you can. There are two bolts on the rear tub securing the motor as well.There is two shock absorber units at base that need the plastic pins removing. Once all the bolts are undone the tubs should split, but be aware of two springs at the top that need lifting up out of there locations.Also be careful of the heating element at the bottom of the tub when splitting.In hindsight though you could remove the heating element before you try to split as this saves any risk of damage.The rear tub should come off together with the drum. Once this is removed support the motor and the front tub as you don`t want all the weight to go on the front rubber seal.
Now you have you access to the inner bearing and drum bearing seal once push off the drum and spider support.You can then replace these and also the outer bearing and rebuild is reverse of dismantling.
I hope this helps you and there may be an easier method , but this is the way I did it. Hope these instructions help.

Gary., October 2004