Broken counterweights on washing machine

mattcullen

Hoping someone can advise on a problem with my zanussi washing machine. The machine sounded noisy so I took the back panel off and had a look. The counterweight on the top right corner had broken in half. One part had falle to the floor and the other half (which was previously bolted to the machine) had come loose and was rubbing off the metal part that rotates the drum (hence the scraping noise).

I've heard there is a glue that will fix concrete together so I'm guessing I could do that. The problem is with fixing the counterweight back on to the machine. The screw (for want of a better word) that zanussi use has some specialised head, presumably so that their customers cant use a normal screwdriver or alan key on the machine. In any case, the fixing itself seems broken so I'd say it would just come loose. Is there any kind of adhesive that would fix the weight to the back of the machine or should I just cut my losses and get a new one?

Any advice much appreciated

slimjimmc

Can't see an adhesive doing the job satisfactorily.
It may be possible to buy the counterweights and screws, even the rear panel if needs be but it might not be economic. Then you have to consider why the counterweight cracked in the first place, has a damper failed?

You may be able to check parts availability online e.g.:
http://shop.zanussi.co.uk/product/4071356358/Washing+Machine+Left+Hand+Weight
https://www.buy-spares.ie (exploded view is handy for identifying the parts).

Depending on the model and age of the machine it may not be economic to repair especially as the fixings for the screws are damaged.

If the screwheads are Torx they're a common shape and tools are readily available.

Cerco

Take a trip to your local recycling facility or your electrical retailer. You might be lucky and find a similar machine for recycling. Bring tools with you.

SpaceTime

Don't fix them with glue. They're just going to crack again as they have to absorb a lot of energy. A machine without weights is quite dangerous and can start bouncing all over the place or even wreck itself.

If the concrete cracked it could also be a symptom of failed shock absorbers/dampers.

You can order up the weights but the shipping costs are kind of steep as they're just very heavy.

This is one of the very big differences between Miele and almost every other machine. They use extremely heavy cast iron counter weights rather than concrete.

mattcullen

slimjimmc wrote: »

Can't see an adhesive doing the job satisfactorily.
It may be possible to buy the counterweights and screws, even the rear panel if needs be but it might not be economic. Then you have to consider why the counterweight cracked in the first place, has a damper failed?

You may be able to check parts availability online e.g.:
http://shop.zanussi.co.uk/product/4071356358/Washing+Machine+Left+Hand+Weight
https://www.buy-spares.ie (exploded view is handy for identifying the parts).

Depending on the model and age of the machine it may not be economic to repair especially as the fixings for the screws are damaged.

If the screwheads are Torx they're a common shape and tools are readily available.

Thanks for that. That's usefull to know about those screwheads- they seem to be the ones alright.

I'll be honest with you I don't know what a damper is.

We started doing a spin cycle after the main washes recently so that could have something to do with it. Alsothe last couple of times we used it it tripped the fuse on the spin cycle. maybe time to replace but thanks for taking the time to reply, much appreciated

mattcullen

Cerco wrote: »

Take a trip to your local recycling facility or your electrical retailer. You might be lucky and find a similar machine for recycling. Bring tools with you.

Cheers Cerco, reckon I'll take the lazy but expensive way out of this one after giving it some thought

mattcullen

SpaceTime wrote: »

Don't fix them with glue. They're just going to crack again as they have to absorb a lot of energy. A machine without weights is quite dangerous and can start bouncing all over the place or even wreck itself.

If the concrete cracked it could also be a symptom of failed shock absorbers/dampers.

You can order up the weights but the shipping costs are kind of steep as they're just very heavy.

This is one of the very big differences between Miele and almost every other machine. They use extremely heavy cast iron counter weights rather than concrete.

Good to know, thanks for that. Heard Bosch are good too. Gonna get a decent one this time. Nothing seems to last these days!