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Washing Machine

Introduction

Dismantling and Recycling Centre (DRZ)

Katharina Lenz, Vienna / Austria

Health & Safety

Dismantling of washing machines doesn't include any harmful steps. Nonetheless workers should work in pairs and wear personal protection equipment like gloves, goggles, apron and robust shoes.

Note:

This is a general guide for most front loading washing machines. As the construction of washing machines can differ, the dismantling steps mentioned below can vary in their order. However, the described steps show what parts the removal should focus on. The most important parts are: the motor, the water pump containing copper coils and the capacitor.

What you need

  1. Washing Machine, Disassembling Washing Machines: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Start with the washing machine in an upright position.

  2. Washing Machine: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Cut off the power supply cable. Dispose of the plug separately (mixed waste).

  3. Washing Machine: step 3, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Cut off and remove the water hoses (careful – they might still contain water!).

  4. Washing Machine: step 4, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Turn the machine upside down and open the bottom panel (if there is one).

  5. Washing Machine: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the rear cover by unscrewing it.

  6. Washing Machine: step 6, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the V-belt.

  7. Washing Machine: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Unplug all wires.

  8. Washing Machine: step 8, image 1 of 3 Washing Machine: step 8, image 2 of 3 Washing Machine: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Unscrew the motor from the outside and the inside; then, remove it.

  9. Washing Machine: step 9, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Unscrew and remove the water pump.

  10. Washing Machine: step 10, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the copper coils from the inside of the water pump.

  11. Washing Machine: step 11, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Unscrew and remove the aluminium drive wheel.

  12. Washing Machine: step 12, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Cut and remove the springs holding the drum.

  13. Washing Machine: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Unplug and remove the water pipe.

  14. Washing Machine: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Unscrew the buffer.

  15. Washing Machine: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the bottom front cover.

  16. Washing Machine: step 16, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the lint collector and unscrew its fixture.

  18. Washing Machine: step 17, image 1 of 3 Washing Machine: step 17, image 2 of 3 Washing Machine: step 17, image 3 of 3

    • Remove all internal water hoses.

  19. Washing Machine: step 18, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 18, image 2 of 2

    • Unscrew the back cover.

  20. Washing Machine: step 19, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 19, image 2 of 2

    • Unclip all wires.

  21. Washing Machine: step 20, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 20, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the switch panel.

  22. Washing Machine: step 21, image 1 of 1

    • Unscrew the grounding wire.

  23. Washing Machine: step 22, image 1 of 1

    • Turn the machine bottom down again.

  24. Washing Machine: step 23, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the washing agent drawer.

  25. Washing Machine: step 24, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 24, image 2 of 2

    • Unscrew and remove the door.

  26. Washing Machine: step 25, image 1 of 1

    • Unscrew the washing agent drawer chest.

  27. Washing Machine: step 26, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 26, image 2 of 2

    • Unscrew the plastic part from the inside and outside.

  28. Washing Machine: step 27, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 27, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the remaining springs that hold the drum.

  29. Washing Machine: step 28, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 28, image 2 of 2

    • Unscrew and remove the metal bar.

  30. Washing Machine: step 29, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 29, image 2 of 2

    • Unscrew and remove the switchboard.

  31. Washing Machine: step 30, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 30, image 2 of 2

    • Unclip and cut all wires.

  32. Washing Machine: step 31, image 1 of 1

    • Remove plastic parts.

  33. Washing Machine: step 32, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the magnet valves.

  34. Washing Machine: step 33, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 33, image 2 of 2

    • Unscrew and remove the pressure switch.

  35. Washing Machine: step 34, image 1 of 1

    • Unscrew the door fixture.

  36. Washing Machine: step 35, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the slim spring around the door opening. (It holds the rubber sealing in place).

  37. Washing Machine: step 36, image 1 of 1

    • Now, remove the rubber sealing.

  38. Washing Machine: step 37, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 37, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the capacitor and unclip all wires, being careful not to touch the terminals as this could lead to a potentially dangerous electrical discharge.

  39. Washing Machine: step 38, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 38, image 2 of 2

    • Tilt the machine and remove the drum.

    • Now, the metal case should be empty.

  40. Washing Machine: step 39, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 39, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the concrete weight.

  41. Washing Machine: step 40, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 40, image 2 of 2

    • Again, remove the spring around the drum, and the rubber sealing.

  42. Washing Machine: step 41, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 41, image 2 of 2

    • Unscrew and remove the water hose.

  43. Washing Machine: step 42, image 1 of 1

    • Remove metal fixtures.

  44. Washing Machine: step 43, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 43, image 2 of 2

    • Continue dismantling the fixture around the drum.

  45. Washing Machine: step 44, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 44, image 2 of 2

    • Unscrew and remove the metal belt around the plastic fixture around the drum.

  46. Washing Machine: step 45, image 1 of 3 Washing Machine: step 45, image 2 of 3 Washing Machine: step 45, image 3 of 3

    • Open and remove the case around the drum.

  47. Washing Machine: step 46, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 46, image 2 of 2

    • Unscrew and remove the heating element.

  48. Washing Machine: step 47, image 1 of 2 Washing Machine: step 47, image 2 of 2

    • Remove all metal parts from the plastic case.

  49. Washing Machine: step 48, image 1 of 1

    • Separate the remaining materials according to their type and go on with the appropriate data sheet (e.g. aluminium, ferrous metals, plastic, further PWBs, etc.).

    • Make sure the plastic parts are completely free of metal pieces.

Finish Line

2 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 4 other contributors

Elisabeth Herbeck

Member since: 09/24/15

10 Guides authored

Team

Core content creation team (iFixit + DRZ + IZM) Member of Core content creation team (iFixit + DRZ + IZM)

Community

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1 Guide Comment

Remove the capacitor and unclip all wires. ;being careful not to hold/touch the terminals as this could lead to an electrical discharge and a sharp shock.

Terry gilligan - Reply

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