EWD81483WUKN 869991618990 Drum Bearing Failure

Hi MW,

On that Indesit, what you’ve described does sound like classic rear bearing/seal failure. Unfortunately the awkward bit is that many of these later Indesit/Hotpoint machines were built with a sealed or non-serviceable outer tub, so the maker only lists the complete drum/tub assembly rather than separate bearings.

A few checks/options:

1. Confirm whether the outer tub is bolted or plastic-welded If it’s a split tub with screws/clamps, the bearings and seal can often be changed even if not officially listed. If it’s welded, the manufacturer’s answer is usually complete tub assembly.

2. Take the bearings and seal out and read the numbers off them Isolate from the mains first before stripping any internal parts. If you can dismantle it, the bearing sizes are often standard items available from a local bearing factor or online bearing supplier. The critical part is usually the drum seal rather than the bearings themselves.

3. Check the spider/drum shaft carefully If the seal has leaked badly, the shaft may be worn or pitted where the seal runs, and the spider can corrode. In that case, fitting new bearings alone won’t last.

4. Look for tub-cutting repair kits/services Some independents now cut open welded tubs, fit bearings/seals, then bolt them back together. There are also aftermarket bearing kit suppliers for certain Indesit models, but success depends on the exact tub design.

5. Compare the cost sensibly If it needs a tub rear, inner drum spider, or complete drum, it usually isn’t economical against replacement.

So in short: bearings may be obtainable as standard parts, but the real question is whether the tub is practically repairable and whether the shaft/spider is still sound.

If you’re dealing with internal strip-down, always isolate from the mains first, and for anything beyond straightforward mechanical work I’d recommend a qualified appliance engineer.

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