Noisy Whirlpool washing machine

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

Whirlpool WWDC 8420/2 noisy spin and leak likely due to failed drum bearings

The problem

Whirlpool washing machine WWDC 8420/2 (859204215010) was making an increasingly loud clunking noise during spin, with a leak reported from the back of the drum.

Likely cause

The accepted diagnosis was failed drum bearings. Further forum advice said that if no bearings are listed for this model on spares sites, it likely requires a complete outer drum assembly rather than separate bearing replacement. Rust/water from the rear was said to suggest possible shaft damage or collapse of the front bearing, but this was not confirmed by strip-down.

What fixed it

Accepted advice was that the fault is the drum bearings and that repair is often not economical because many machines need a complete new outer drum rather than separate bearings. The poster was advised that absence of listed bearings for this model on spares sites usually indicates that only a complete drum assembly is intended. No actual repair was carried out or confirmed in the discussion.

Checks to try

• Model number provided: WWDC 8420/2
• Serial/service number provided: 859204215010
• Symptoms reported: clunking noise during spin
• Leak reported from back of drum
• Poster checked UK spares websites and could not find replacement bearings

Parts or tools mentioned

• Drum bearings
• Several seals
• Complete outer drum