Drum Replacement

[JSVLaundry]

I just had a drum replaced on my W124 (1984 model).

What should the going rate be for this job?

I paid $450, labor & material, with a 6 month guarantee.

Vinny

[Todd]

That sounds like a good price for havig someone provide parts and labort. I've heard of people charging $600 for doubles and a $1000 for triples. My dad has done 18 wasco bearing jobs. He's gonna help me on my first with a triple shortly. There are companies that you can ship your inner cylinder to and get an exchange for a drum with new bearings, seals, and bushing for a decent price. Interstate Parts is one at 800-643-parts and Alley Electric at 800-282-9845. They both guarantee their work like your local guy did.

[troy]

That is cheap, even if the guy uses the old housing again.
For me, replacing the bearing is not that hard, but it is only the easy part, getting the drum out and in again is a real pain, specially for old machines, with not much space in back, and rusted bolts at bases. And with Wascomat, you have all the help you need at the wascomat guys!

[srhaz]

Two days ago the shaft broke on my speed queen. What a crap design - had to replace the whole drum because it is all one piece.
bought a used drum for $400, the repair guy charged me $240 for double bearing kit and $420 labor. How the shaft broke off the drum is beyond me.

[PeterH]

I assume this means on the machines. I won't do things like hot water system replacements!

[Anonymous]

The shaft will break after it's worn a little and some "slop" develops between the bearings and the shaft. It doesn't take alot of wear to really increase the forces on that shaft. Imagine 50 lbs of off-balanced water and wet laundry slamming back and forth on a sloppy cantilevered shaft at high speeds. ALOT of impact type force can be developed.

I'd say when a FL basket has 1/8" - 1/4" slop measured from the front, it's time to use the "shaft saver" kit. And these shaft saver kits use larger ID bearings and increase the shaft size so i would guess these "fixed" shafts should last longer than the original. I just recently "saved" some shafts for the first time that were 18 years old. Big job, but i think it's worth it.