How to Replace Hotpoint Aquarius Bearings

Disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet and turn off the water going to the washer. Unscrew the water hoses from the washer and let the ends rest inside a bucket.

Unscrew the screws holding the top of the washer to the housing and slide the top backward before lifting the top off. Grab the detergent drawer and pull it out of the washer. Remove the stainless steel screws that are in the area where you removed the detergent drawer.

Remove the timer knob at the hole at the top of the washer by unscrewing the clamping screw. Pull the timer knob off the washer. Remove the screws located behind the timer knob and lift the facia panel off the housing.

Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry the clasps apart and remove the retaining band around the seal of the washer door. Grab the seal and lift up to unhook it from the front panel. Push the seal into the washer drum so it is out of the way.

Unfasten the screws holding the door interlock and latch. Unscrew the side screws at the top of the panel, but leave the center screw in place. Remove all the screws at the bottom of the panel. Remove the center screw that you left at the top of the panel, then pull the front panel off.

Pry the clips holding the drum front to the housing open with a flat-head screwdriver. Pull the drum front off and lay it out of the way. Push the driver belt away from the washer housing while turning it to slip it off the driver pulley.

Move to the rear of the washer and remove the inspection plate with a screwdriver to gain access to the pulley and locking nut. Place a piece of wood or the handle of a hammer between the pulley spokes to keep the pulley from turning. Place a ring spanner over the locking nut and unscrew the nut. Tap the end of the ring spanner with a rubber mallet if the locking nut is stuck in place.

Move to the front of the washer and use your hand to spin the drum counter-clockwise to unscrew the pulley. Remove the wood or hammer handle. Working from the top of the washer, unhook the rear springs and gently pull the container forward. This will give you a little more room when removing the pulley. Place your hand inside the container and lift the pulley out of the washer.

Hit the shaft with a rubber mallet several times to loosen the bearings. Alternatively, place a piece of wood against the shaft and hit the wood with a hammer to loosen the bearings. Pull the inner drum out of the washer.

Insert a metal rod into the shaft hole from the inside of the washer. Hit the end of the metal rod with a hammer several times to remove the rear bearing. Use the metal rod and hammer to chisel the inner bearing out. The inner bearing is usually difficult to remove and will require several strikes with a hammer. Hit the outer sleeve of the inner bearing at various angles to work it out of place.

Wipe the inside of the bearing housing clean with a cloth. Spread a thin layer of Vaseline inside the bearing house. Insert the new bearing into the bearing house and gently tap it with a hammer handle. Use a metal rod and hammer to carefully tap the edges of the bearing into the bearing house. Place the metal rod against various around the bearing to make sure it goes into the housing evenly. Only hit the outer sleeve of the bearing.

Place the water seal inside the bearing house keeping the flat edge facing outward. Use the hammer handle to tap the seal into place. Move to the rear of the washer and insert the outer bearing into the bearing house. Tap the outer edge of the bearing with a hammer to set the bearing into place. Continue tapping the bearing until it is flush with the bearing housing.

Reassemble the Hotpoint washing machine.