Rear Bearing Noise on a Front Loading Washer

Bearing Basics

• A bearing is a ball-and-socket joint that props up the washtub on a front-load washer, and aids it spin smoothly. The ball is greased with a high-temperature lubricant that limits friction when it rotates in the socket. On most front-load washers, the joint is in the middle of the washtub at the back of the cabinet. Since front-loaders don’t have center agitators, you can sometimes see a portion of the bearing by peering into the washtub from the door. Removing the rear panel of the washer will provide you complete access to the entire bearing.

Bearing Failure

• When a front-load washer’s bearing begins to wear, the lubricant that surrounds the ball usually becomes dry. If there’s little to no grease left in the socket, friction occurs between the ball and socket components, as the ball turns with the washtub. Friction makes the bearing squeal. The noise might start off faint, but gradually intensify until the joint eventually gives out or you grease the bearing.

Remedy

• As soon as you hear a squealing sound, verify that the bearing has plenty of grease. Take off the washer’s real panel. Manually turn the washtub. If the bearing squeals when you manually turn the tub, the bearing needs more grease. Apply one or two drops of high-temperature lubricant to the bearing, wiping off excess so that it doesn’t drip into the washtub and stain clothes.

Considerations

• Once the bearing is lubricated, the noise should go away. However, if it persists or worsens, contact a washer repair person to evaluate the joint’s condition. It’s possible that operating with insufficient grease for an extended time period caused irreversible damage to the bearing and it must be replaced. Additionally, if you find that the bearing noise subsides after more grease is applied only to return again after a few months or weeks, contact a washer repair person to have the washer serviced. It’s possible that the heat coming off the motor is too hot, and the exhaust is drying up the bearing’s grease quicker than it should. The repair person might be able to adjust the motor’s settings to correct the problem.