Broken drum lifter in Hoover OPH616-80

This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.

Hoover OPH616-80 drum lifter replacement access issue

The problem

The drum paddle/lifter on a Hoover OPH616-80 needed replacing, but the retaining fixing could be seen only through the sump hose opening and could not be reached because it sat slightly to one side and the heater obstructed access.

Likely cause

The discussion suggests the paddle may be secured in a way that is not intended to be accessed through the sump hose. If the visible screw does fasten the paddle to the drum and cannot be reached through the sump or dispenser hose, the strongest diagnosis is that access may require the drum to be removed. This was not fully confirmed.

What fixed it

Advice given was to check whether the paddle might instead release from inside the drum via a clip, as many do. If the fixing was definitely a screw into the underside of the paddle, the only other suggested access route was via the large dispenser hose under the soap dispenser after disconnecting the machine and removing the lid. If that still did not allow access, the likely repair route would be drum removal. The exact successful repair was not confirmed.

Checks to try

• Original poster removed a sump hose and could see the retaining screw
• Poster reported the screw was offset from the sump hose opening and obstructed by the heater
• Forum advice to check whether the paddle was actually retained by a clip accessible from inside the drum
• Suggested alternative access via the large dispenser hose under the soap dispenser
• Advice that the machine should be disconnected and the lid removed before trying that access route

Parts or tools mentioned

• replacement drum paddle/lifter
• sump hose
• large dispenser hose under the soap dispenser