Washing machine problem...torque wrench?

Guru

Guru

Guru

Soldato
Joined
8 Jun 2005
Posts
5,275
Hi all,

I've got a Hotpoint Aquarius WF250 1500 spin washing machine and the concrete weights at the top and the bottom keep coming slightly loose so when it is on the final spin it makes a horrible knocking sound.

We called out a hotpoint engineer and he came out and took the machine apart and did up the bolts for a stupidly large fee. Luckily I paid close attention to how he got the machine apart, taking the seal out around the door etc, etc.

The problem returned within a few weeks and I tightened them up myself. I keep tightening them up and they keep coming lose again eventually. I'm absoltely terrified of over tightening them!!

This is the 2nd WF250 I've had this problem with, the first one ended in a horrible way when after about a 4th attempt at tightening these, I over tightened the bolts with the 13mm spanner and snapped the plastic where the bolts screw into the drum. :(

I used it for a bit but then it all went bad and the machine destroyed itself from the inside out! I REALLY can't afford to have this happen again.

I thought about getting a torque wrench to tighten the bolts up to the maximum they can be before disaster strikes. But I don't know how I would find out how much it can be tightened to safely?

Every time I have to tighten these things up I am literally crapping it incase I break it again. This was an expensive machine and we certainly can't afford a replacement.

Anyone know if this torque wrench idea is a good one? or how I can stop these things coming lose, without damaging anything?

At the moment we are just washing half loads as it makes the bolts stay tight longer.

Any advice would be much appreciated. :)

Would also love to know if there is anywhere to download a manual for this machine. :)

Cheers,

G
 
put torque wrench on bolt
adjust torque until it turns,just after it clicks
repeat for all bolts
spot of thread lock(or superglue) on nuts
job done

i mean that if you have a new WM you can assume the bolts are at their correct torque so you have a starting point of how much torque to apply to the bolts in future
 
I like the sound of this thread lock stuff, afterall I'm never gonna want to undo these bolts.

Bit drunk but I didnt quite understand what you mean by:

"put torque wrench on bolt
adjust torque until it turns,just after it clicks"

Never used a torque wrench before :o :confused:
 
There are two kinds of torque wrench:

1) With a dial: You stop turning when the dial shows the desired torque
2) With a preload: You set the desired torque, then use it. At the correct torque you hear an audible click.
 
Guru said:
I like the sound of this thread lock stuff, afterall I'm never gonna want to undo these bolts.

Bit drunk but I didnt quite understand what you mean by:

"put torque wrench on bolt
adjust torque until it turns,just after it clicks"

Never used a torque wrench before :o :confused:
Click to expand...

If you are going to threadlock them then don't bother with the torque wrench.
The wrench is only of any use of you know the correct torque to begin with.
Threadlock is a sort of glue (various types available from companies such as Loctite) You apply it to the thread tighten down the nuts and leave for a few hours and up to 24 hours depending upon the type you have bought.
Thereafter the nuts will be much less likely to vibrate loose. An alternative would be to use crinkle washers, spring washers and or a locking nut or even nylock nuts. All depends upon what you are tightening up to as so to speak.
 
Threadlock, retainer or studlock is what you want. Not cheap though, see if you can borrow some from someone.
 
Yeah, Threadlockers the way to go. Cant remember which one is permanent and which one is semi-permanent. If you know someone in engineering and they have maintenance or assembly areas you will definately be able to get hold of some. The stuff we use at work is in red bottles, by loctite, and is arund £25 per tube. (Big tubes tho)
 
threadlock definitely.

I think it cost me a fiver for a small tube about 5-6 years ago, very handy stuff to have in the toolbox even if you only use a couple of drops a year ;)
 
If you had a washing machine with a serious design fault why did you opt for another identical machine?
 
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