Cuff for a washing machine: purpose, instruction on replacement and repair

Suspicions that the cuff for the washing machine have become unusable arise in the event of dripping water from under the door of a working unit. If the cause of the leak is really a violation of the integrity of the rubber gasket, do not be very upset. If desired, the tightness of the tank can be restored independently.

We will talk about how to replace this important type of seal with your own hand, which ensures the tightness of the tank filled with water during washing. In the article we proposed, the process of removing and installing a new cuff is described in steps. Our tips will help you achieve a perfect result.

What is a cuff?

The main purpose of the rubber part mounted on the hatch of an automatic washing machine is hermetic blockage of the loading tank during operation of the apparatus. Such a layer does not allow even a drop of water to leak out.

The location of the cuff and its appearance depends entirely on the model of the machine. If the front loading - a rubber layer connects the tank to the front wall of the unit and has a round shape. AT top loading models The linen part combines the tank with the upper wall and has the appearance of a rectangle.

The door of the machine cannot be closed tightly without the seal of the loading door. The special composition of rubber or silicone that the part is made of ensures the tank is completely sealed during washing

Previously, seals were made of very flexible rubber. In modern models, cuffs are almost always installed from a similar material of artificial origin - silicone. It does not lose elastic properties in a wide temperature range and does not “tan” with time.

Cuffs of different models differ in size and shape. If there are additional functions in the washing machine, for example, drying and aqua spray, the part may have additional openings.

What are the causes of wear on a part?

The reasons why the cuff stops performing its functions are not so many. At the same time, a large part is manifested when non-compliance with the rules for using household appliances.

The main ones are the following:

• mechanical damage with gross objects;
• strong vibration of the drum during the spin cycle;
• exposure to aggressive agents;
• the appearance of mold on rubber;
• inaccurate loading of dirty or removing already washed things;
• natural wear.

Damage to objects occurs when coarse things are often washed in the car, for example, sneakers, outerwear with tough snakes, etc. Metal products (nails, keys) and plastic that fall into the drum due to carelessness of users can also cause the formation of significant defects on the rubber.

Cracks, cuts and tears of the rubber part can appear either as a result of a malfunction of the washing unit, or due to inattention of users. Before loading clothes into the machine, be sure to check your pockets for rough and sharp objects. They can easily damage the cuff.

The washing machine drum tends to vibrate violently if the machine is improperly installed. Accordingly, the cuff attached to it suffers. The use of bleaching agents often and in high concentration leads to the fact that the rubber coarsens. And the loss of elasticity, as is known, is fraught with the onset of defects.

Acids and alkalis used in the same way for cleaning the machine. But then again, if you put them in the wrong way. For example, some users believe that the higher the concentration of the product, the more effective the cleaning. At the same time, they do not take into account the aggressive effect on the parts available for processing.

Mold - microscopic fungi living in colonies. Settling on soft rubber, the mycelium of these tiny creatures can sprout deeply. With severe damage, dark gray spots that emit an unpleasant odor cannot be removed. In this situation, only replacing the cuff with a new one will save.

The washing machine is not forever. Even if you handle it very carefully, the parts will gradually wear out. Rubber sealant is no exception. He constantly experiences friction from a spinning drum washing machine and linen, temperature changes, exposure to washing products. All these factors make rubber brittle and brittle over time.

How to make a replacement?

First you have to check the condition of the cuff. To carefully inspect the seal for damage, it must be removed almost completely from the machine. To do this, it is enough to remove the clamp holding the part of the cuff that is attached to the front wall.

After inspection, a decision may be made to replace the gum with a new one or to repair an existing one. Consider coaching step-by-step cuff replacement.

Step # 1 - remove the front collar

Mounting the clamp to the front wall is different for different models. It all depends on the material of manufacture of the part.

There are 3 options:

• using latches;
• spring pulling;
• fastener screw.

The first method is used for plastic clamps, the rest for metal. In any case, you will need a flat screwdriver to remove the part.

On most models, in order to extend the cuff for examination, it is enough to remove the clamp holding the bent part of the elastic in the front groove. Having slightly moved the edge of the cuff, you can always determine whether it is plastic or metal

Then they act depending on the fastening: the screw is unscrewed, the spring is pulled and loosened, and the plastic clamp is pulled over itself in the place where the latches are joined. After that, using the same screwdriver to remove the clamp will not be difficult.

However, not all so simple. Some companies produce such models of washing units, in which the dismantling of the “elastic band” requires the obligatory removal of the front wall.

These include:

• Samsung
• Beko;
• Siemens
• LG
• Bosch;
• Hansa.

Performing this manipulation yourself is quite difficult, but you can if you wish. The main thing is to act very carefully to avoid damage to the wires and contacts connected to the lock located on the wall.

Step # 2 - remove the front panel

The first thing to do in the necessary order is to disconnect the device from the power supply and make sure that there is no water in the drum and sump. Only after these steps can you proceed directly to removing the front panel.

To get to the screw holding the wall at the top, the powder receptacle must be removed. For this purpose, the tray is pulled all the way, press the lock key inside and remove it from the machine.

In most models of washing machines, the powder container has a so-called “tongue” located above the compartment for filling the air conditioner. Such a powder receptacle is removed without problems. You need to simultaneously press a button and pull the tray towards you

Now you need to open and disconnect the hatch located at the bottom of the front wall of the machine. To do this, with the help of a screwdriver, unscrew the fixing screw of the basement panel, shift it to the right until a characteristic click is heard and move it towards you.

Next, open the hatch door and remove the clamp securing the cuff to the front panel. This is done by prying off the tightening spring with a slotted screwdriver and removing it together with the clamp from the groove of the rubber seal.

After that, the edge of the cuff is pulled out from the recess in a circle, the rubber is “stoked” inside the case and the hatch door is latched. All of the above actions provide access to the lower and upper screws. They are unscrewed, after which the panel is shifted a few centimeters forward and carefully separated from the body.

Keeping the front wall on the weight, disconnect the plastic wire fasteners, and then the hatch lock contacts. Now the front panel of the machine can be safely set aside, remove the clamp and proceed to the examination of the cuff, stretching its front part towards you.

Step # 3 - stretch the cuff

After removing the front clamp (how to do this, it was discussed above), the rubber seal is completely removed.

It is necessary to remove the old cuff in case of replacing the old cuff with a new one, and if it is necessary to slightly repair this part

Do as follows:

1. Gently push the front part of the rubber seal, held on the machine body, due to its own tension.
2. Find the mounting tag. It is located on the cuff itself.
3. Using a marker mark the response mark on the tank.
4. Remove the second clamp similar to the first.

After the work done, the cuff is quite easily removed from the machine. The part just needs to be pulled well.

Step # 4 - inspect the rubber seal

At this stage, you will carefully examine the extracted gum from all sides, paying particular attention to the places on the bends. If after examination on the cuff cuts, holes, cracks and other damage are revealed, it is advisable to replace the part with a new one.

The replacement cuff must be fully consistent with the machine model. Otherwise, the seal may not fit, and all work will go down the drain.

When selecting a new part, it should be borne in mind that it is impossible to purchase “gum” from other models of washing machines, even if outwardly they have significant similarities. Absolutely can only fit the cuff, designed for a certain brand of unit.Only a master can pick up analogs and only in a hopeless situation.

Step # 5 - prepare the place for installation

When the cuff requires replacement, which is clearly indicated by cracks and other damage, you can safely proceed with the installation of a new “elastic band”. The preparatory step before installing a new cuff is to thoroughly clean the edge of the tank. Usually dirt and detergent residue accumulate in this area.

In order to wash the place of the upcoming installation, a saturated soapy solution is ideal. Alternatively, you can just soap the sponge heavily

It is better to clean the edge with a sponge, abundantly moistening it in soapy water. In this case, it is not necessary to wash off the remaining foam and wipe the part to dryness. Soap will serve as a kind of lubricant and help to cope with the installation faster.

Step # 6 - install a new cuff

Putting a new gasket on the tank is not easy. It is difficult to stretch the material very much, moreover, it “renders resistance”, stubbornly not wanting to fall into place.

The first step is to apply a cuff to the upper edge of the tank so that the mounting marks match. Next, sliding on the rubber with the thumbs of both hands, pull the seal on the edge.

The movements when putting on the elastic follow from the center to the sides. It is important here to be patient and careful.

The next step is soap soap. In the lower part of the cuff is stretched and it is quite difficult to put it in place. Therefore, here the seal is pulled onto the tank with force. After these manipulations, the gum is held tightly to the edge.

The last point is to verify that the part is installed correctly. If the cuff is loose in some places on the metal, leaks will occur during machine operation.

Step # 7 - pull the inner collar

Installation methods for internal clamps vary depending on the mounting. If the spring tension, then the installation is carried out using a screwdriver. The tool is inserted into the hatch lock hole and a spring is put on it. Thus, the mount is freely stretched and the clamp easily fits on the right place.

Clamps removed from the cuff can be put back into place only when everything went without damage. If defects have appeared on the parts, they must be discarded and new ones purchased in return.

In the presence of a clamp with a screw, the task is somewhat simplified. The tension is almost completely twisted, and the clamp is laid on the seat. To strengthen the part, it remains only to tighten the screw back.

If a wire clamp without tensioners is provided in the washing machine, round-nose pliers are used as an auxiliary tool. They gently tighten the metal ends, and the resulting node is hidden in the existing for this recess on the cuff.

The easiest way to put on a plastic clamp. It is fixed using special latches. After the work done, the cuff is pulled to the edge of the front panel of the machine and is also fixed with a clamp.

At the end, check the seal for leaks. To do this, run the fastest washing program. If leaks are not observed during operation of the unit, the cuff is installed correctly.

The intricacies of cuff repair

Sometimes situations arise when the “elastic band” located on the hatch of the washing machine breaks, and there is no way to replace the cuff yet.

When can a repair be needed?

For example, at the moment it is impossible to find a part suitable for the existing model of the machine or it was ordered, and it takes a long time to wait for delivery.

There are also circumstances when right now it is impossible to allocate money from the family budget for the purchase of a new part. In such situations, repair of the cuff will help, that is, sealing the place of damage.

High temperature, detergents and constant rubbing of linen will soon do their job, and the hole on the cuff will make itself felt again

Keep in mind that sticking a patch is a temporary measure.Therefore, you should try to replace the worn out seal with a new one as soon as possible.

How to choose and prepare a cuff?

First of all, you need to inspect the leaky cuff and determine the cause of the damage. This is the only way to find out whether it is advisable to repair the seal or whether it makes no sense. To do this, you will have to remove the cuff from the machine as described above.

Only by removing the front clamp and pulling the cuff toward you, you can detect damage, evaluate its size and the possibility of repair

If a cut, puncture or abrasion are small, then the repair definitely makes sense. And when the damage is large or there are several of them - it is better not to rush with gluing.

After determining the cause of the repair, you should select the material for the patch. It must be durable and at the same time flexible. Some masters recommend using condoms or medical rubber gloves for this purpose.

A wonderful option - special patches designed for the repair of swimming air mattresses. You can find them in sports stores.

The adhesive planned for use must have excellent adhesive properties. In this case, the substance should maintain elasticity after complete drying. This is how the means intended for the repair of shoes and rubber products behave.

Sealing Instructions

Gluing a rubber sealant is a matter that does not require special knowledge and skills. However, so that the result does not disappoint, it is better to clearly follow the instructions.

We offer the first repair method - sealing. It is performed according to the following scheme:

1. Prepare a patch. The pieces of the selected material are folded into several layers and glued together. The patch size should be 1.5-2 times larger than the defect itself.
2. The damaged area and the area around it degrease. To do this, use alcohol, acetone, white spirit, etc. Wait for the complete drying of the degreasing agent.
3. Apply glue to the cuff and patchth.
4. Lubricated surfaces press against each other. either immediately or after a few minutes - it depends on the indications on the tube with glue.
5. Cuff is fixed in her natural position with suitable items. So the item is left for a day.

After the glue has completely dried, the sealant can be replaced.

A repaired cuff should be returned to its place using the same procedure as wearing a new one. Since the rubber is already stretched, efforts will not have to be made as much as in the case of installing a new part

There is a second method, which is considered more reliable. It combines stitching and bonding.

Perform the procedure as follows:

1. Thick synthetic thread sew end-to-end damage. In this case, use a football stitch.
2. After everything is abundantly impregnated with silicone sealant for rubber and plastic.

Further, as in the previous method, the cuff is left in its natural position for a day, after which it is installed back into the machine body.

After the repair, it is necessary to check the quality of work. To do this, load the drum with linen and start the wash on the shortest program. At the end of the cycle, inspect the bonding site to identify repeated gaps.

With your own hand, you can change not only the cuff that tightly covers the hatch of the frontal washing machine. House masters are quite capable of washing belt replacement. A step-by-step briefing on this work is described in detail in our recommended article.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Watching the videos will help you better understand some of the nuances of replacing the cuff of the washing unit on different models.

Replacing the cuff in a top-loading machine:

Replacing the rubber cuff of the hatch on the model of a front-loading and drying washing machine:

Damage to the rubber seal of the hatch of the washing machine, i.e. the cuff, is a problem that can be dealt with without the involvement of professionals. The main thing is to act according to the instructions and very carefully.

If the replacement still causes difficulties, you need to contact the service center or call the wizard at home.

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