There is a horroible grating sound coming from the drum when in use and when you turn it by hand. How do I get into the appliance to see if I can find what is wrong with it?

Stan, November 2010

My daughters went the same, What happens is the center of the drum drops because the so called bearing breaks, i call it so called because its not really a bearing its just two pieces that slot into each other i didn't have to take the belt off its easy to do. The bearing kit was £9.75 off amazon took 25 Min's in all to fix.

James, February 2013

Sounds like the bearings have started to go
An expensive job
Switch off appliance Remove back plate Remove the drive belt then turn drum by hand You will see if its the bearings You may notice dark dusty residue around the bearing housing
Personally speaking not worth repairing
Sorry

Alan, November 2010