28944RP Speed Queen Washer âŁUpper or⣠Lower Bearing is⤠a bearing assembly used to support the washer’s rotating tub or spinâ shaft; the âŁdesignation indicates it can be fitted in⣠either an upper or lower position depending on the machine’s design. As a mechanical bearing (rolling element, typically supplied as a sealed unit in a housing âor cup), the âŁcomponent provides the low-friction interface between the spinning tub âŁor⣠basket â˘and the stationary frame â¤or transmission, carrying both âradial and axial loads while maintaining concentric alignment⢠during ârotation.
Within the appliance the bearing interfaces directly with the inner â˘tub, â¤drive shaftâ or hub, tub seals and the tub â¤support or transmission mounting structureand it plays a role in⢠both the mechanical drive system and water-containment â˘system. Proper bearing function preserves alignment under dynamic loads (including â˘high-speed âspin and unbalanced loads), limits vibration â˘and noiseand âprevents â˘water intrusion âand lubricant loss that otherwiseâ accelerateâ wear of the bearing, âseals, â˘and related components. Bearing condition therefore affects motor load,noise/vibration characteristics,and the longâterm reliability ofâ adjacent â˘parts such as âseals and⤠the gearbox or transmission.
In this article readers will find a technical overview of â˘the 28944RP bearing’s function and typical applications in Speed Queen machines, compatibility and fitment considerations, common failure symptoms (for example noise, axial or radial play, leaksand increased âŁmotor current), diagnostic âchecks âŁto⣠distinguish â˘bearing faults from suspension or transmission issuesand practical replacement considerations. The coverage will include inspection and troubleshootingâ steps, mechanical removal and installation concepts (press-fit and âseal replacement considerations),⤠and â˘practical guidance for technicians and experienced appliance owners âto plan and execute a safe, correct ârepair.
Table of Contents
- Function and âRole of Upper and Lower Bearings inâ Speed Queen washer Drive and Tub Stabilization
- How the 28944RP â˘Speed Queen Washer Upper or Lower Bearing Works Inside the Appliance
- Common Failure Symptoms,Vibration Signatures,andâ Wear Indicators â¤of speed Queen âwasher Bearings
- Replacement Considerations and StepâbyâStep Installation Procedure for Speed Queen Upper/Lower Bearings
- Q&A
- Final thoughts
Function and Role of Upper and Lowerâ Bearings in speed Queen Washer driveâ and Tub stabilization
The 28944RP Speed Queen Washer Upper or âŁLower Bearing provides the rotational support and alignment necessary for the washer’s tub and drive shaft to operate smoothly. In service, â˘the⤠upper bearing primarily controls axial stability of the inner tub and resists â¤vertical movement and wobble during spin âcycles, âwhereas the lower bearing maintains radial â¤alignment of the drive shaft and absorbs the continuous⤠radial loads transmitted from âŁthe transmission or motor. This replacement â˘part is⢠specified for certain Speed Queen â˘models to restore the original shaft concentricity and load paths; verify⤠fit and seal orientation against the machine’s service manual⤠because the same numbered bearing can be used in different positions only when â¤dimensions and sealing are compatible with the hub and housing geometry.
- Common â¤symptoms âof bearing deterioration: audible grinding or ârumbling during spin, increased tub lateral⢠play, uneven wear on the agitator or pulleyand grease or water leakage at the seal â˘interface.
- Service considerations:â bearings are typically press-fit into the tub or housing and require a hydraulic press or bearing driver to remove/install âŁwithout âdistorting the hub; replacing bearings often requiresâ simultaneous replacement of the associated seal and inspection âof the shaft forâ scoring.
when diagnosing drive or stabilization issues, measure axial endplay and check⣠shaft runout afterâ installing the bearing to âŁconfirm restoration of proper tolerances; excessive clearance or misalignedâ installation will transmit vibrationâ backâ into the âtransmission and can accelerate seal failure. For practical repair workflows, technicians commonly remove and inspect both upper and lower bearingsâ and replace the bearing⣠seals and any pressed-in bearing races or caps to re-establish the original preload⣠and sealing conditions; if the drive shaft shows grooves⤠or corrosion, machining or shaft replacement should âbe⢠considered before fitting a new 28944RP to avoid premature failure.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Part | 28944RP – Speed âQueen replacement bearing intended for specified upper or lower locations; confirm model â˘fitment and seal orientation. |
| Service note | Press-fit installation; pairâ with new seals â˘and inspect shaft/housing for⣠wear â˘to ensure long-term stability. |
How the 28944RP speed Queen Washer Upper or Lower Bearing works Inside â˘the Appliance
The 28944RP Speed Queen Washer Upper or Lower âŁBearing is aâ sealed rolling-element component that supports the washer’s inner shaft and tub âassembly by carrying radial loadsâ and resisting limitedâ axial displacement.⤠In⣠operation⣠it reduces friction between theâ rotating shaft and the âstationary tub or transmission housing, maintaining⢠concentricity under dynamic loads and helping prevent metal-to-metal âcontact. Compatibility depends on⣠matching the bearing’s inner bore, outer diameterand width to the washer’s âshaft and housing; a correct replacement âmust seat as a âpress-fit in the housing and run freely on the shaft without play.
Functionally, the bearing tolerates combined loadsâ fromâ the drum, waterand unbalanced loads during spin; when âŁthe seal and lubricant remain⣠intact âit⤠quietly transmits force to the axle âand bearing housing. Common failure modes include noise, increased vibration, leaking lubricantand metal debris in the tub cavity; on replacement, technicians should inspect the⣠shaft and hub for scoring, replace â˘seals and retainers as neededand install the new unit with a bearing driver or arbor press, âapplying force to âthe outer race only to avoid damaging the rolling elements. For example, if a lower⢠bearing shows grease contamination⢠and âscoring on the shaft, replacing the bearing and the adjacent seal and dressing the shaft will restore concentricity and reduce recurrent wear.
- Typical symptoms:⣠noise during âspin, excessiveâ vibration, grease leakageand metal shavings.
- Installation note: press the âbearing on by applying force âŁto the outer race only and verify axial clearance per service manual.
- Compatibility⣠check: confirm inner bore and OD dimensions before ordering replacement parts.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Bearing⢠type | sealed rolling-element âbearing for radial/limited axial support |
| Typical materials | Hardened steel races with synthetic lubricant and rubber/metal seal |
| Service considerations | Press-fit installation; inspect shaft, â˘sealand hub; replaceâ related hardware as needed |
Commonâ Failure Symptoms, Vibration Signaturesand Wear Indicators of Speed Queen Washer Bearings
The 28944RP Speed Queen Washer⣠Upper or Lower Bearing is a rolling-element assembly that supports the wash tub and transmits radial and⣠axial loads from⢠the drum to the cabinet. In normal operation the bearing⤠keeps the tub concentric during high-speed spin, maintains âalignmentâ of the â¤shaftand contains lubricant behind seals; compatibility with upper or lower positions depends on the machine’s assembly, but the component’s function-constraining â˘radial play and allowing smooth rotation-remains the same. Common failure modes originate âŁfrom seal breach, lubricant âbreakdown, contaminationor misalignment from worn âŁshafts or mounts, which lead to metal-on-metal contact, increased frictionand accelerated race or ball damage; for example, a tub âthat develops a wobble after bearing seal leakage usually⤠shows progressive scoring on the inner race and â¤a loss of smooth rotation under load.
- Audible grinding or rumble during âspin, increasing with RPM.
- Visible or felt drum wobble / axial play when the tub âis rocked by hand.
- Intermittent vibration⤠that changes amplitude with load distribution â˘(imbalance sensitivity).
- Grease extrusion,â rustor visible scoring on the⢠bearing housing or shaft.
- Excess heat at the bearing area âafter a short spin cycle.
Vibration signatures from a failing bearing can⤠be characterizedâ by⣠frequency and waveform: low-frequency,high-amplitude rocking typically indicates âaxial or radial play (loose fit or worn seats),while higher-frequency,harsh broadband noise corresponds to pitting or roughness on theâ raceâ or rolling elements. Technicians commonly use a chassis-mounted stethoscope or an accelerometer⤠to localize â¤signatures-bearing defects usually produce consistent signatures at each revolution and increase predictably with speed-whereas loose parts produce irregular âpulses.For inspection, check âradial/axial play with theâ drum stationary, spin the tub by hand⣠to feelâ roughnessand remove the pulley or tub assembly toâ visually confirm scoring or⢠contaminated grease;⢠if confirmed, replacement with the â¤correct âŁ28944RP part or equivalent assembly is the reliable⤠corrective action.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Low-frequency wobble | axial/radial play from worn races or loose âmount points causing cyclical drum rocking. |
| High-frequency grinding | Pitting or spalling of raceways and balls producing harsh broadband vibration and noise. |
| Temperature rise / grease loss | Lubricant breakdown or âseal failure leading to increased friction and accelerated wear. |
Replacement Considerations and StepâbyâStep Installation Procedure for Speedâ Queen Upper/Lower Bearings
The 28944RP speed Queen Washer Upper or Lower Bearing is a⣠precision, interference-fit component that supports the drum and transmits axial âŁand radial loads between the⢠tub⤠assembly and the drive shaft. In many Speed Queen models this bearing locates on a pressed-in race and works with a⤠matched seal and hub; common failure modes âinclude brinelling from misalignment, corrosion fromâ seal failure, â¤and material fatigue âfrom prolonged imbalance. âBefore ordering replacements, verify the machine serial/model âŁand inspect the shaft journal and bore for scoring or wear âthat would prevent proper seating âŁ- a new bearing will not compensate for a damaged shaftâ or⣠an out-of-spec housing bore.
Replacement requires â¤controlled disassembly, careful cleaningand accurate⣠reinstallation to â¤restore service life and prevent premature failure. Use a hydraulic press⣠or a bearing⢠driver that â¤applies force only to âthe outer race when installing a new unitand always replace associated seals and fasteners; âif the bearing isâ an upper unit on the spin tub, checkâ vertical axial play after assemblyand if it âŁis indeed aâ lower bearing confirm drum runout.Practical âexamples: when a technician encounters ânoise âplus â¤grease leakage, replace both⤠bearing and seal and machine the housing only âif bore tolerance exceeds theâ manufacturer’s⣠limit. The following checklist â˘summarizes the installation workflow and inspection points.
- Disconnect power â˘and water, drain tuband remove control console to access theâ basket assembly.
- Remove agitator/drum and seperate tub halves; support the assembly to avoid bending the shaft.
- Press out the old bearing and race; inspect and file any burrs from the shaft journal.
- Clean mating surfaces, apply light anti-seize to the shaft journaland seat â˘the new bearing by pressing on the outer race only.
- Install a new seal, verify bearing preload or axial clearance per model specand torque fasteners to factory values.
- Reassemble, âperform a spin test to check for ânoise and runoutandâ verify⢠leak-free seals under a rinse cycle.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Fit and⣠Lubrication | Interference press fit on housing; use high-temperature bearing grease and replace seals with matching inner-diameter fit. |
Q&A
What is Speed Queen part 28944RP and what⤠does it replace?
Speed Queen 28944RP is a bearing/seal repair kit used on certain Speed Queen topâload washers. It contains the â¤components â¤needed to replace the⣠washer tub’s bearing(s)â and associated seals/races that support the inner tub shaft.⢠Always verify model compatibility before purchasingâ to âŁensure it fits your⤠washer.
What symptoms indicate the upper or lower bearing is failing?
Common symptoms include âloud grinding, rumblingor squealing â˘during spin; excessive vibration or wobble of the inner tub; slow or rough spinning; metal shavings or grease in the wash âtub; and leaking aroundâ the tub or seal area. If you here noise that changes with spin speed or feel play in⣠the tub shaft, bearings are a likely⢠cause.
How â¤can I tell whether the upper â¤bearing â˘or the lower bearing is the problem?
Diagnosing which bearing is bad usually involves checking for play andâ listening âŁduring spin. Put your hand on the inner tub while someone briefly advances the spin – a lower bearing failure frequently enough produces a deep rumble at highâ speed âand noticeable lateral wobble; an upper bearing failure may produce more pronounced noise at lower speeds and play near the top of the shaft. â¤Visual inspection (removing âŁthe âŁouter âtub or accessing the shaft) to look for worn â˘raceways, damaged seals,⢠or grease â¤loss is the most definitive method.
Do I need to replace both bearingsor can I replace just the bad one?
Technically you can replace only the bearing thatâ is failed, but technicians commonly recommend replacing both bearings and the associated seals/races simultaneously occurring. Bearings operate together and share load and lubrication; if one has failed the other is often worn too. Replacing both reduces the chance of a secondâ failure and avoids⢠repeating the labor-intensive teardown.
Is replacing the 28944RP⢠bearings a good DIY â˘project and what tools are required?
Replacing tub bearings is a moderate-to-advanced DIY âjob. It requires disassembling the washer (removing agitator, basket, outer tubandâ sometimes separating the transmission/gearcase), removing old bearings and racesand installing new bearings and seals using a press orâ proper bearing/seal âdrivers. Tools often needed include a socket set, â¤snapâring pliers,⤠bearing⣠puller â˘or press, seal driver, torque âwrench, â¤and possibly an impact or heat for stubborn parts. If you don’t have⢠these tools or experience, professional service is recommended.
How long does a bearing replacement typically âtake and what will itâ cost?
Time depends on experience and model. A trained technician can usually complete a bearing/seal replacement in 2-4 hours; a competent DIYer may take longer (3-6+ hours). Parts cost for an⤠OEM bearing/seal kit canâ vary widely (roughly in the low tens to a few hundred dollars âdepending on supplier and whether it’s OEM or aftermarket). Labor at a repair shop adds to the total-expect shop charges for 1-3 hours of labor at local hourly rates.
do I â˘need to remove the gearcase orâ transmission toâ replace the bearings?
On many Speed Queen topâload models you will need to remove the outer tub and âŁshaft assemblyand in some designs the gearcase/transmission must⣠be â¤separated or removed to access âthe lower bearing or to press bearings out properly.The exact steps â˘depend on theâ model; consult the service manual or⢠a modelâspecific repair guide⣠beforeâ starting.
What can I do to⢠prevent premature bearing failure in âmy Speed âQueen washer?
To extend bearing⣠life: avoid overloading the washer,balance loads,remove heavy/abrasive items from mixed â˘loads,keep the machine level,address leaks promptly (aâ failed seal lets water and contaminants into⢠bearings),and use the proper detergent and amount to avoid excess suds that can affect seals. âŁRegular⣠inspection and promptâ repair of small âŁissues (clutch, pulleyor drum damage) also prevents âŁbearing overload.
Final Thoughts
The 28944RP Speed Queen washer upper or lower bearing plays aâ critical role in supporting the tub and transferring loads while minimizing â˘friction, noise and vibration during operation.Correctâ functioning of these bearings maintains drum alignment,promotes efficient spin âcycles,and âhelps prevent secondaryâ damage to seals,shafts and other â¤drivetrain components. As a purposeâdesigned service part, the 28944RP contributes âdirectly to âthe washer’s reliability and service life⣠when specified and installed âappropriately.
Because bearing symptoms can resemble other issues such as âmotor, â˘suspension⤠or sealâ failures, proper diagnosis âis â¤essential⤠before proceeding with replacement. When wear âor damage to the 28944RP is confirmed, timely replacement with the correct part and adherence â˘to manufacturer installation procedures will restore performance, reduce the risk ofâ collateral damage and offer the most costâeffective outcome over time. Engaging qualified service personnel or â¤following validated repair guidance ensures â˘the repair is â˘completed safely and in a â˘manner consistent with the âappliance’s design intent.
Professional Appliance Service
If your appliance requires professional diagnosis or repair, visit
Revolff Home Services
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Replacement parts for many appliance models can also be found at
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