The 279264 Whirlpool Bearing & Seal Kit is âa service⤠assembly that contains one or more bearings and complementary âŁoil or lip seals designed for use in Whirlpool laundry appliances. As⢠a mechanical replacement kit, it provides the rotating-element bearings and the sealing components⣠that fit into the tub orâ gearbox housing âŁto support a drive shaft or drum and to isolate⢠lubricants from washâ water and debris.
In typical installations⤠the âŁbearings provideâ radial and â˘axial support for âthe tub or drum, âmaintaining concentricity âŁand smooth rotation under dynamic loads transmitted from the motor âand âdrive⣠system. The seals interface with the shaft and â˘housing âto âretain grease orâ oil around the bearing âsurfaces âand to prevent water intrusion that â¤would cause corrosion⢠and lubricant contamination. Functionally, the kit interacts with â¤the drum/tub assembly, the transmission or⢠gearcase (if⤠present), the â˘drive coupling⤠and â¤pulley systemand â¤the suspension components that control vibration and alignment;â proper fit and installationâ are critical to preserve bearingâ preload, minimize runoutand prevent premature wear.
This article explains the construction and intendedâ function of the 279264⢠kit, how to â¤verify compatibility⤠with specific âŁWhirlpool models and assemblies, typical failure symptoms to watch for â(noise,⤠vibration, axial/play movementand fluid leakage), diagnostic â¤checks a technician âcan⤠performand practical replacement considerations â˘such as required⢠tooling, press-fit and alignment concerns, associated parts âto inspect or replace, âand post-replacement verification steps.
Table of Contents
- function and Mechanical Role of the washer Tub Bearing and Seal Assembly
- How the â279264 Whirlpool⢠Bearing & Sealâ Kitâ Operates Within the Inner⣠Tub and Drive Assembly
- Common Failure Symptoms,Wear Patterns,and Diagnostic Tests⤠for Bearing and Seal failure
- Replacement Considerations,Model âCompatibility,and âStep-by-Step Installation Best Practices
- Q&A
- To Wrap It Up
Function and Mechanical Role of âŁthe Washer Tub Bearing and Seal Assembly
The 279264 Whirlpool â¤Bearing &⣠Seal Kit contains the bearing races,seals,and retaining âhardware that support the washer tub and maintain the barrier between the tub cavity and the⤠gearcase or motor⢠shaft. The bearings provide radial and â¤limited axial support so the inner tub canâ spin smoothly under variable dynamic loads, while the âseal prevents wash water and detergent from âcontaminating the bearing cavity and gearbox lubricant. Correct function depends on precise âfit: â¤the outer race must seat fully âŁin the tub or housing bore, the inner race must run true on the shaftand the⢠seal lip must contact the shaft or hub surface with appropriate interference to exclude âfluid without excessive drag.
Mechanical behaviour andâ practical considerations affect both diagnosis and repair. Typical mechanical symptoms of âbearing or seal degradation include increased vibration â¤orâ wobble, grinding or rumbling noises during spin, âandâ visible leakage⣠or âoil in the tub; these symptoms â˘often progress as moisture reaches the â˘bearing surfaces andâ accelerates wear. Duringâ replacement, press bearingsâ squarely into the boreorient the seal âso the sealing lip faces the wet â¤side, inspect the shaft for scoring âŁthat canâ cut a new sealand use the manufacturer’s recommended âgrease and torque values to â¤avoid⢠premature âfailure. Typical service steps and failure indicators are summarizedâ below to aid technicians in rapid assessment and correct installation.
- Common⢠symptoms: vibration, grinding noise, oil/water leakage into tub
- Key installationâ points: correct seating of outer race, seal lip orientation, cleanâ mating surfaces
- Compatibility check: verify⤠bore diameter and shaft condition before installing the kit
| Item | description |
|---|---|
| Components | Bearingâ races, rubberâ axial/ radial âseal(s),⢠retaining clips or⤠washers |
| Function | Allow lowâfriction rotation and exclude â˘water/contaminants from the âbearingâ cavity |
| Service notes | Press-fit bearing installation, inspect shaft for scoringorient seal to wet side and use specified grease |
How the 279264 Whirlpool⣠Bearing & Sealâ Kit Operates Within âthe Inner⢠Tub and Drive Assembly
The 279264 Whirlpool⢠Bearing & Seal Kit replaces the â˘bearings⤠and sealsâ that support the inner⢠tub’s spin shaft and protect the drive assembly from⤠water and detergent intrusion. In a⣠typical top-load washerâ inner tub arrangement⣠the bearings are pressed into the âŁouter tub or bearing housing and carry the radial âŁand limited axial loads from the â¤rotating âŁspin tube; the⢠seals ride against the shaft or sleeve to retain grease and exclude wash water.Functionally, the bearings âprovide concentric rotation and low-friction supportâ while âŁthe seals maintain a lubricated habitat; if either component fails, the shaft can ârun eccentrically, causing âaccelerated wearâ to the â¤clutch, drive couplingor tub. Compatibility â˘requires matching âthe kit to the machine’s bearing bore,shaft diameter,and housing depth,so confirm part fit against the service manual or measured dimensions before installation.
During installation the âbearings are typically installed with an even, controlled press fit and the sealsâ positioned with the sealing lip facing the lubricant side; incorrect orientation or hammering the components can⢠damage the race or elastomer lip and lead to premature leakage. Once fitted,⣠the bearings absorb rotational loads and generate heat proportional toâ load and lubrication âcondition, while the seals prevent particulate and water ingress; â¤common⢠field symptoms that indicate a âfailed bearing or seal â˘include âgrowing⤠rumble under spin, âincreased vibration, â˘and water or grease at the base of the tub. Techniciansâ should inspect the shaft sleeve and housing for scoring and replace any â˘worn mating surfaces to restore concentricity and service life.
- common symptoms: persistent noise during spin, tub wobble, visible â˘grease or water in the transmission area
- Key installation needs: correct press tools, seal lip orientation, âclean mating surfaces
- Performanceâ factors: shaft fit, bearing⣠preloadand seal integrity determine service âŁlife
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Bearing type | Deep-groove ball or tapered bearing matched âŁto shaft diameter âŁand housing⣠bore |
| Seal function | Elastomer lip prevents water ingress⢠and retains grease against the⢠rotating âsleeve |
| Typicalâ symptom | Rumbling noise in spin,â vibrationand fluid or grease leakage at the⢠tub base |
Common Failure Symptoms, Wear Patternsand Diagnostic Tests for Bearing and Seal Failure
The bearing assembly supports the washing machine tub and transmits radial âand axial loads to the cabinet while the seal prevents âlubricating grease from exiting the âŁbearing housing and blocks wash âwater âfromâ entering the bearing cavity. The 279264⤠whirlpool Bearing & â˘Seal Kit replaces both⣠the bearing ârace and âthe elastomeric seal,so technicians should inspectâ mating surfaces – theâ hub,shaft shoulder,and housing bore – for corrosion or scoring⢠that âwill reintroduce failure after replacement. Typical⣠wear patterns on failed bearings include pitting and spalling on the raceways caused by â¤fatigue, brinelling from static overload or impactand abrasive scoring from contaminated grease;â sealsâ commonly⣠show lip âabrasion, hardeningor tearing when they have been exposed to heat, detergents,⢠or⢠entrained⢠debris.Practicalâ examples include metal filings embedded in grease that create⣠a progressive abrasive wear pattern and a⤠torn sealâ lip âthat allows water âto flush grease out â˘of the âbearing âŁcavity âduring each cycle.
Diagnosis combines sensory checks with simple measurements to distinguish bearing failure from⤠motor, beltor suspension issues. Common,⣠actionable checks are listed below; perform them onâ a stationary, empty tub and isolate the motor (disconnect âdrive or place the unit in a service mode) to avoidâ misleading noise sources. Use a dial⤠indicator to check shaft runoutâ and a caliper âor feeler gauge for â¤radial/axial play; service guidance commonly uses thresholds such âas radial runout under 0.5 mm and axial play under 1.0 mm âŁas indicatorsâ of acceptable condition,butâ compare to OEMâ data where available. For seals, a dye orâ UV tracer⣠in the drum âandâ a⢠careful visual inspection of grease condition⤠(wateriness, metal particles, discoloration) will identify ingress. Below are typical â¤symptoms and a short technical reference to guide â˘the repair decision.
- Grinding/growling during rotation – indicative of raceway damage or roller/ball collapse.
- Excessive wobble â˘or lateral play – suggests bearing wear,â loose hubor bore enlargement.
- Visible grease leakage or â¤rusty streaks – seal failure permitting water â˘entry or grease escape.
- Intermittent squeal or chirp on startup – frequentlyâ enough seal lip âŁcontact or initial grease âŁstarvation.
- Localized heat âat the hub after âoperation -â high friction from damaged bearings or lackâ of lubrication.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Visual signs | Corrosion, metal flakes in âgrease,â torn seal lip, âŁor discolored/aqueous grease indicate contamination and âseal breach. |
| Quantitative checks | Measureâ radial runout with a dial indicator and axial/radial play with calipers; compare⢠against âOEM tolerances (typical service guidance: radial runout < 0.5 mm, axial play < 1.0 mm). |
| Acoustic/feel⤠test | rotate the drum â¤by hand âŁand use aâ stethoscope or â˘long screwdriver âŁto â¤localize grinding; roughness âŁunder hand â¤rotation usually correlates to bearing race⢠damage. |
Replacement Considerations, âModel Compatibilityand âŁStep-by-Step Installation Best Practices
The 279264 âWhirlpool Bearing & Seal Kit is intended âto restore theâ tub âshaft support andâ water âexclusion functions by replacing the press-fit bearings and the tub seals⤠that protect the⢠transmission or bearing housing from moisture intrusion.â Bearings inâ this location carry the radial âloads of the inner drum and maintain concentric rotation; as âbearings â¤wear you will observe increased radial play,a low-frequency rumble during spin cycles,uneven drum rotation,or accelerated sealâ wear. Compatibility dependsâ on matching the shaftâ diameter, bearing register (inner/outer diameters), âand housing flange geometry âto the original assembly; cross-reference the washer’s model and âparts diagram and inspect⢠the old components for snap⣠rings, spacersor flanges that must be re-used or replaced⤠to ensureâ proper fit and axial clearance.
Follow a controlled,⣠mechanical approach for removal and installation toâ avoid damaging the housing or new parts: support the tub to prevent shaft drop, use âŁan âarbor press âŁor tailored driver âŁto extract and seat bearings squarely, clean and inspect the bearing registerâ and shaft for⢠pitting or scoringand install seals with the lip â¤orientedâ toward the âwater source to maintain the intended âbarrier. â¤Verify⢠axial endplay and spin the drum by handâ to confirm smoothness before fullâ reassembly; finalâ testing âshould include a low-speed spin and a water-fill cycle to validate leak-free âoperation and correct dynamic behavior. Practical âbest-practice steps and quickâ reference specs follow.
- Disconnect power and⣠water,support the tub and âmark electrical âconnections before disassembly.
- Remove pulleys and motor to access the tub shaft; extract bearingsâ with an arbor⢠press or puller, avoiding hammering on the housing.
- Deburr and clean the register âbore; replace the shaft or housing if scoring exceeds repairableâ limits.
- Press ânew bearings âsquarely using a â˘driver that contacts only the bearing outer race; install seals flush with the housing, lip facing water.
- Reassemble,set correct axial clearance,apply manufacturer-specified lubricant to bearings âif⢠required,and perform âspin/leak tests.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Bearing fit | Interference press-fit on housing; seat using a bearing âŁdriver for even force |
| Seal orientation | Seal lip âŁtoward â˘water/drum to⣠prevent ingress into the bearing âŁcavity |
| Lubricant | High-temperature, water-resistant grease where âŁspecified; manny kits ship pre-lubed bearings |
Q&A
What is the 279264 Whirlpool Bearing & âSeal âkit and what parts â¤does it include?
The 279264 kit is a bearing and seal repair kit designed to âreplace worn tub bearings and the âŁassociated seal(s) on compatible Whirlpool-family washing⣠machines. Kits normally include one or more tub bearings (inner and/or outer), the rubber or lip seal that keeps⤠water âout ofâ the âbearing cavityand sometimes a retaining ringâ or sleeve.⢠Exact contents vary by⣠supplier, so always check the product listing or manufacturer âŁdescription for â¤the specific âitems included.
How do I know if my washer needs the 279264 bearing and seal kit?
Common symptoms that âindicateâ failing tub bearings or seals are: loud grinding, rumbling or growling noises âduring spin, excessive drumâ wobble orâ play, water leaking âŁfrom the âbottom of the washerand metallic contamination in the⤠tub or drain.⢠If you âhear⢠noise that changes with spin speed or⣠find⤠water beneath the machine, â¤the bearings and â˘seal are prime suspects and should be inspected.
Which Whirlpoolâ models is part â279264 compatible⣠with?
Compatibility depends on the exact washer⢠model and production date.The 279264â kit fits a range of Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore and other whirlpool Corp. âbranded machines, but âyou must verify compatibility by checking the washer’s model number against⤠the manufacturer’s parts lookup or the âseller’s compatibility list. do not rely only on appliance appearance-use the âŁmodel number⢠on the washer’s frame or behind the control panel.
What âtools and skills are required to install the 279264 kit?
Replacing tub bearings âand seals is⢠intermediate-to-advanced. Typical tools: basic hand tools (nut drivers, sockets,â screwdrivers), aâ bearing âpuller⢠or press, seal/bearing⢠drivers â˘or appropriately sizedâ sockets, hammer and drift, snap-ring pliers if applicable, torque â¤wrenchand possibly âŁa heat source or cold⣠source for removing/installing pressed parts. You should be comfortable⣠disassembling the washer cabinet and drum assembly. Many owners opt for professional repair â˘shops because of the âheavy parts and need to press bearings in correctly.
How long âŁdoes it take to âŁreplace⣠the bearings and seals with â¤this kit?
For âa trained technicianâ with the rightâ tools, the⣠job typically takes 2-4 hours. For a competent DIYer âwithout specialized presses, expect longer-4-8 hours-because disassembly, making/borrowing âa press or improvised drivers,⢠and⣠careful reassembly all â˘take time.â If theâ bearing race â¤or drum components are corroded or damaged, repair âŁtime may increase.
Do I need to add grease or âlubricant when installing the new bearings and seal?
Most replacement bearings come pre-lubricated⣠and sealed. You should not overpack bearings with grease. Apply a light film of compatible, high-temperature bearing grease toâ the bearing surfaces only if the⢠manufacturer’s⢠instructions specifyâ it.Apply a thin coat of silicone grease or light oil on the seal lip to â˘ease installation and âŁprevent dry start-up, but do not âuse heavy grease that can be flung out âor contaminate theâ seal seating surface.
After installing the kit⤠I still have noise or leaking-what could be wrong?
Persistent noise can be caused by improper bearing installation (misaligned â¤or ânot fully seated), a bent⣠drive shaft, damaged drum or spider assembly, âor worn motor coupler or transmission. Continued leaking usually indicates âŁan improperly seated seal, damaged shaft surface âwhere the seal âridesor missing/damaged gaskets. Recheck installation: confirm bearings are pressed fully to the correct â¤depth, seals⣠are oriented⣠correctly, the shaft surface is smooth and cleanand fasteners are torqued per specs.
Is 279264 an OEM part and does⢠it come with a warranty?
Part numbers sold as OEM (Whirlpoolâ Genuine) will be labeled accordingly; aftermarket suppliers may sell compatible kits under the same part number. Warranty terms vary by seller and whether the part is OEM or aftermarket. Check theâ productâ listingâ or retailer for warranty length and⢠return⣠policy. Keep your receipt âand theâ washer model number;â many vendors and Whirlpool offer limited warranties on⤠replacement parts when purchased through authorizedâ channels.
Toâ Wrap It Up
The 279264 Whirlpool Bearing & Seal Kit⢠plays âa critical role in âŁmaintaining the mechanical integrity and water-tight performance of compatible washers. By restoring worn bearings and â˘seals, the kit helps reduce drum noise and wobble, prevents water intrusion âinto â¤the transmission areaand âŁcontributes to smoother operation and extended appliance life. using the â¤appropriate kit for the model in question ensures proper fit and function, which inâ turn supports âoverall machine reliability and⤠efficiency.
Accurate diagnosis and timely replacement⢠are essential⤠to maximize the kit’s âvalueâ and to⣠avoid secondary damage⢠that can result from neglectedâ bearing or seal failure. When symptoms such⣠as unusual noise, drum movementor leakage are observed, confirmingâ the underlying âcause⢠and following manufacturer guidelines for replacement-whether performed by a âqualified technician or a competent repairer-minimizes risk and long-termâ repair costs. In sum, the 279264 Whirlpool Bearing â& Seal Kit is a targeted component âsolution âwhose benefits are realized through âcorrect identification, appropriate installationand adherence to⢠recommended service practices.
Professional Appliance Service
If your appliance requires professional diagnosis or repair, visit
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