ALWAYS - UNPLUG THE MACHINE!
The way I did it today was to remove the front plate of the machine to expose the front of the drum, which in turn can be removed by undoing the six clips holding it on (caution - it's heavy) and pulling it off towards you.
Then you can see the gap between the inner drum and the outer shell, and thus locate the bra wire (hopefully).
In detail:
1) Take the top surface of the machine off by undoing the two screws, one on each side (they are covered with a small plastic cap).
2) Remove the powder tray by pulling it out as far as possible and pressing down on the centre retaining clip to unhook it. This reveals three screws, one on each side and one on the rhs but slightly below. Undo this one - you'll see that it's the one in a small metal clip to the right of the tray bay.
This clip links the control panel to the centre panel (the one with the door in).
3) Remove the plastic panel below the centre panel (ie by your feet). This reveals the two screws holding the bottom of the centre panel to the machine - undo these.
4) The centre panel should drop down with a bit of waggling. It's still attached to the machine via the rubber seal and the wire going to the door lock sensor. Remove the wire's connector and locate the metal band holding the rubber seal on. You should be able to loosen it using pliars to extend it's spring slightly. Now the centre panel is free and can be placed to one side.
5) Free the clip holding the plastic tube to the top of the rubber seal and pull out the tube.
6) Undo the six spring clips around the outer drum.
7) Don't undo the three bolts holding the contrete to the drum!
8) With someone else pull the contrete ring toward you while holding the suspended drum securely - it should ease off if you're gentle.
To reassemble - do in reverse order. Take care with the seal on the inside of the front of the drum you just removed. You might want to clean the rim of the main drum you just exposed too! There's a notch that should line up with a seem to help you replace the front properly.
NOTE: I'm not a plumber / engineer - this is just what I did, I can't promise that it's the "proper" method!
If you want any further help email "pgboys (at) u.genie.co.uk"
Phil Boys
July 2005
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