The washing machine is usually purchased with the expectation that it will last at least a decade, but this does not always happen. The lifetime of the washing machine depends on many factors: the good faith of the manufacturer, the frequency of use and compliance with the rules of operation.
Gentle care includes not only the choice of quality products for washing, timely cleaning and preventing the formation of scale, but also monitoring the condition of the internal elements of the washing machine.
One of these elements is the stuffing box. About what it is and how to maintain it in working order, you can learn by reading this article.
What is the stuffing box and why it is lubricated
The gland( or, as it is more correctly called, the stuffing box) is a part of the mechanism serving as a sealing element between its two parts, one of which is movable and the other is not. An epiploon is usually made of rubber, so it not only compacts, but also seals the joint.
In the washing machine, oil seals are needed in order to protect the bearings from water ingress. They are located over the bronze bushing, which, in turn, is fixed along the semiaxis. The seals must be changed together with the bearings, so that the joint always remains tight and sealed.
The axle shaft is a rotating shaft on which the tank and drum of the washing machine are fixed. Rotating, the shaft touches the inner surface of the stuffing box. Constantly exposed to friction, this part quickly wears out. To slow down this process, a special grease for the stuffing boxes is used, which ensures slip, thereby reducing friction. If the lubricant is not updated in time, the oil seal will dry up and begin to flow through the water, which will lead to a breakdown of the bearing and to malfunctions in the washing machine.
Requirements for lubrication
There is a category of owners of washing machines, which instead of specialized compositions for the care of stuffing boxes prefer to use folk remedies, for example, vegetable oil or fats. Such a solution is certainly more economical, but it does not have the best effect on the state of the mechanism.
Therefore, we strongly advise you to use only those products that meet the following requirements:
- are moisture resistant, that is, they do not lose their properties, being in constant contact with water;
- have a non-aggressive chemical composition that does not destroy the surface of the stuffing box and the metal shaft;
- are resistant to temperature changes, do not disintegrate and do not lose their qualities, undergoing heating;
- have sufficient density and viscosity so that they can not be washed off with water for a long time.
Which is better to use: advice on choosing
Grease for oil seals is usually sold in shops that specialize in the trade of washing machines or spare parts for various types of household appliances. The price of this consumable item may surprise you unpleasantly: this is due to the fact that this is a narrow-purpose product, which is difficult to find on the market.
Often manufacturers of household appliances are engaged in the production of grease for oil seals, which are intended directly for this brand of washing machines, but in fact they are suitable for all models. Most lubricants are interchangeable, you just need to pay attention to the main component of the composition. Silicone and titanium lubricants, which repel water well and are able to withstand temperatures up to 200 degrees, are popular.
Instruction for use
To replace the oil seal or refresh the grease, you will first have to almost completely disassemble the washing machine, pull out the tank and remove the drum from it. About how to do this, we explained in detail in the article "How to remove the bearing from the drum of a washing machine?".
By changing worn bearings and oil seals to new ones, care must be taken to ensure that they last as long as possible. To do this, we will need to apply the grease correctly to the stuffing box. First, the lubricant is applied to the outer surface of the stuffing box with an even, thin layer. Then we proceed to the internal surface treatment. Here the layer should be a little thicker. After this, the stuffing box can be installed into place.
Visually and in more detail, the whole process, see the next video.
How can I replace grease?
Sometimes you can not find a special grease for the stuffing box. In this case, the craftsmen replace it with similar oil-based agents, for example, with solidol or lithol. Specialists caution against the use of these products, as they contribute to the rapid deterioration of oil seals. Such lubricants are used in automotive applications, but they do more harm to household appliances than good. Therefore, it is better to spend time and money on the purchase of specialized products that have a lasting effect and are completely safe for washing machines.
