brushes on Bosch WFK 2401 washer

[dcs]

Hi.

I've got a 6-yr old Bosch front load washer WFK2401UC/01 that has stopped agitating and spinning.  Replacing the belt got it to work for about a week.   Poking at this and that (door lock, pump, jostling the drum, etc) got it to work for another half a cycle and that's about it.

From past posts here, the brushes seem to be the thing to check next, only... I don't know how to get at them.  I read  Keinokuarma's post on changing motor brushes, which says, you don't want to pull out the motor if you don't have to.  So, before I give that a go... Does  anybody know the best way to check and perhaps replace the brushes on this model?

Thanks.

[Keinokuorma]

Hello,

Should be easy to get to the motor, and also in the case of a front load washer, should be no big deal to remove it. Depending on design, brushes may be at pulley end, or dead end/fan end of the spindle.

the fastest, but not entirely secure way to check the brushes is to measure continuity between the wires going to the brushes. remove the motor wire harness before doing that. If there is continuity, like a couple Ohms, it is possible but unlikely that the bsrushes are out. If there is no continuity, or a couople hundred or more Ohms, it is almost positive that brushes are out.

If you can remove the holders, check how far the brushes extend. Only a millimetre or two out of the holder means it is out or at least stuck... try to press it in and let it extend quickly. If if extends no more, it's out. If it extends at least a centimetre, there should be still some life to the motor unless something else is wrong. about an inch or more means that you've got plenty left.

Appears to be these brushes:

http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=154&N=1043249

Anyway, they're not very long for the start, and cost around $32... although these come with new springs, and the twine length is already correct, so there will be less hassle than with a substitute set.

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Konnichiwa, Diane.  The motor is easy to get to from the back of the washer.  I sent you the service manual for your washer, look on pg. 24.  Lots of other goodies in there, too.

Also, I sent you an access link to the Xdrive.  Yoju should have received it by now.  It's sent directly from Xdrive and, well, let's just say their nick name is GlitchDrive.  So let me know if you did't get the access link by now. 

[dcs]

Keinokuorma and SARMfgma,

Thank you very much for your help!

The brushes on this motor are located on the non-pulley end.  I could reach in and poke at them from the front, but couldn't see them well enough to figure out how to get them out.

I finally dug up the right tools to pull off the motor so I could get at them properly.  It was my first time using a micrometer (though I used to watch my grandfather use one many years ago).  I got mixed readings from it, but I'm thinking maybe the times I got conncectivity, I was pressing down enough on the brushes that they made contact(?).  :?

When I pulled them out, they were down to about 1/4".  So, I ordered a set from Repair Clinic, using the link Keinokuorma kindly provided. (Would have been 3 weeks from the local parts place).

Now, I'll wait for 'em and hope that does the trick... and hope I can remember how to get everthing back together.  I may try that now, and see if I can get enough contact from the old brushes to sneak in a load or two before the new brushes arrive.

SARM, I did finally get the Xdrive/AOL signup figured out, and was able to access your full  library.  Thanks.

  Cheers!

Diane

[Keinokuorma]

Dcs,

Did the brushes bring the funk back?

[dcs]

Thanks for asking... I was just logging in to update.  I did put everything back together (with the old brushes, so I wouldn't forget where everything went) and it started working again.  I'm guessing I was lucky and got the brushes to make good contact.  I wanted to get a good number of loads done before reporting back because our first attempt (replacing the belt) worked for a bit.  I think I've got enough loads done now to say "WooHoo!".

My husband thought I was crazy for trying and, boy, was he impressed when it started spinning.

The new brushes have arrived, but I figure... "If it ain't broke....".  So, I'll leave it be

 for now while I focus on the squeak in the dryer instead.

When the washer does act up again, I have the brushes handy and now know how easy it is to swap 'em out.

Thanks again for your help!

[Keinokuorma]

Nice to know it works so far... anyway, if the old brushes were down to 1/4'' they are just about to expire. Perhaps for now if you installed them the other way around, there is some tread left... the brushes tend to be a bit loose in the holders, so they tilt a little every time the motor direction is changed... thus flipping them by 180 degrees may allow for some extra out of them, and allow contact during spin.

Also this slight tilt is one reason why the reverse direction is a little noisier on many motors. The "aft" edge of the brush will be ground sharper in the process, and it will slightly knock against the lamels in reverse.

Brushes that are totally square at the end, could be turned just 90 degrees, at least theoretically giving extra length, but that gives very little contact surface, and may grind a groove to the commutator, which will contribute to premature wear on new brushes.

[dcs]

Well... that setup was good for a little over 3 weeks.  Friday night I noticed it had stopped making the whizzing noise during tumble and spin (so we expected the time had come).  Got another load done Saturday but then the next one was back to no tumble or spin.

I just swapped 'em out with the new brushes and it's whizzing happily again. It's alot easier once you have an idea what you are doing. 

Thanks again for taking the time to share your knowledge.