Washer Drum Bearing Replacement Cost
A roar or jet-engine sound during spin that gets louder over time, a drum that wobbles when you push the rim, or grey streaks on clothes from a failing rear seal. Bearing failure is the classic end-of-life symptom on front-loaders.
National averages for independent repair companies. Service-call/diagnostic fees ($75–$150) are usually applied toward the repair. Costs vary by brand, model, and city.
What causes it — and what each fix costs
Rear tub bearing worn (front-loaders)
Water gets past the tub seal and washes out the bearing grease. The repair means pulling the tub and pressing new bearings — labor-heavy, and on some models the bearing is molded into a sealed plastic tub, making the "repair" a whole tub assembly.
Tub bearing/seal kit (top-loaders)
Same failure, usually cheaper to access on a top-loader.
Repair or replace?
This is the judgment call. On a quality machine (Speed Queen, LG direct-drive, Electrolux) under warranty-adjacent age, repair. On a 7+ year old builder-grade front-loader, a $400 bearing job against a $600–800 new washer usually says replace. Get the quote, check the tub design first.
We'll quote you on hauling it away — or buying it.
Not every washer is worth repairing, and we'd rather tell you that than sell you a repair. If you're replacing it, we'll give you a free quote either way: scrap pickup for a machine that's finished, or a cash offer if it still has life in it. Working units, recent models and premium brands are often worth real money.
Common questions
Can I keep using a washer with bad bearings?
For a while — but it gets louder, drinks more power, and can eventually let the drum drop or seize mid-spin. Plan the repair or replacement now.
Why are LG and Samsung bearing jobs quoted so high?
Some models require splitting a welded/sealed outer tub, so the part is a whole tub assembly rather than a $40 bearing kit.
Model-specific guides for this problem
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