id suggest making sure the machine is empty of water.unplug machine from electric supply and either remove large rubber hose on the bottom of the outer drum,you'll see it if you pull machine forward and tilt it back off the floor.by removing this hose and sticking your head into the front of drum with a torch shining down through holes in inner drum you may be able to see where the bra wire is.if you cant see it on the base of the drum then its probably trapped behind centre shaft and caught on the rear drum spider (a three legged aluminium casting that secures inner stainless steel drum.the black marks could be the drum bearings packing up which means the inner drum has to be removed before changing the bearing kit.
lucybrace, January 2010