Hotpoint Wml 520 Drum Replacement?
Hi , Not posted here for a while
Can anyone give me a bit of advice about the Hotpoint WML520 , made in Italy , Please ??
I bought a 2 yr old machine for £20 , the drum bearings were shot ,and I have a drum out of another Hotpoint that I wanted to replace the original with!
The original are a sealed unit and cost £140 or so ,I think ,so having scrapped another machine ,a WML 540 , 6 kg , and kept the drum and motor /belt , I was hoping to swap it into the 520??!!
I realise there are loads of different models , but in theory ,should this be possible??
Solution Summary
AI-generated from this discussion
This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
Hotpoint WML520 drum successfully replaced with similar 6kg donor drum
- The problem
- A Hotpoint WML520 washing machine bought cheaply had failed drum bearings. The original drum/bearing assembly was described as a sealed unit with a high replacement cost, so the owner wanted to fit a drum from another similar Hotpoint 6kg machine instead.
- Likely cause
- Confirmed fault was worn drum bearings on the original WML520 drum. The donor drum was not an exact match, as the drum weights fixed differently and the suspension spring mounting position left the drum sitting too high.
- What fixed it
- The donor drum was fitted using the WML520 shock absorbers, motor and belt. Because the drum sat too high, two metal tabs were made to relocate the suspension spring fixing points about 20mm lower so the drum would hang level. The pump was also cleaned out before testing.
- Checks to try
- Compared the original and donor drums side by side
- Noted drum weight fixings were different
- Checked overall fixings were very similar
- Observed the fitted donor drum sat higher than the original
- Identified suspension spring mounting position as the reason the drum was not level
- Cleaned out the pump, which contained coins and limescale/debris
- Tested the machine after reassembly
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Donor drum from another Hotpoint 6kg model
- WML520 shock absorbers
- WML520 motor
- WML520 belt
- Two metal tabs made to alter spring mounting position
Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
4 Answers
They look very similar, and are the same drum capacity and even in the same model range so in theory they should be interchangeable with luck. Before stripping anything down compare them very carefully to see if you can find any differences. Manufacturers can change configurations even on the same models, so for example a WML540 can have different parts fitted to it if made in 2011 to a WML540 made in 2010.
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Thanks Andy , well actually I am not sure of the model of the one I scrapped !! It was given to me ,after it had suffered a power surge which blew the control board!
All I recall is it was a 6kg model . The weights appear different , but if it is physically the same size and has similar mounts it might fit!
We have an Aqualtis that had to have a new control module a few weeks ago and the repair man told me there were loads of different plants in different countries making different models , so I wont be suprised if it does not fit!
Well folks , just a quick one to tell you how I got on!
Earlier today , I got the machine out and put it on a couple of wooden pallets to work on it!
Fetched the drum out of the other machine to set down by it , and started to remove the buggered drum from the 520.
It was obvious that the drum weights fastened on differently , but as the 2 drums were put side by side , they were very similar in all the fixings and so we commenced fitting the replacement in. Used the shockers off the 520 , motor and belt (blew all the carbon out of the comm on the motor first,)
After getting it in and adding the weights , it was obvious the drum sat higher than the original , and it was apparent that the side springs that held the drum in suspense , were too short , or rather the drum mounts were slightly further down the drum sides!
What we had to do , was make a couple of metal tabs that slotted in the original holes where the springs located , and these 2 metal tabs had a hole drilled about 20 millimeters further down ,so the drum hung level to the front of the washer , (Trial and error I suppose)
Spent time cleaning out the pump ,(it had 90 pence in it!! whoa ) and was full of limescale /crap , and then fired her up! It ran like a dream ,and needless to say ,the other half was well impressed!!!
So now we have plenty of spares ,and a good washer for £20
That's dedication and persistence
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