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Washer Tub bearing and outer tub: What It Does and Signs It's Failing

The tub bearing supports the drum shaft at the back of the outer tub on a front-loader. A shaft seal next to it keeps wash water out of the bearing. On some front-loaders, LG among them, the recommended fix is the whole rear tub with the bearing in it.

How it works

The bearings let the drum shaft spin fast with little friction. Once the seal leaks, water gets into the bearing and it starts to wear, and you hear it as a growing roar in the spin.

Signs it is failing

• Loud rumble or roar that gets worse as the spin speeds up
• Screeching in the wash or a metal-on-metal sound in the spin
• Water leaking from under the tub
• Spin or balance errors with normal loads

Bad bearings can trigger spin and balance codes as the drum drags. They rarely set a code of their own, so the noise is what gives them away.

Can you replace it yourself?

This job means pulling the drum out of the tub and pressing new bearings in, or replacing the outer tub. Repair references rate it very difficult, with hours of teardown and special tools. On an older washer, most techs will price it so you can compare it against a new machine.

Buying the right part

See whether your model gets a bearing kit or a complete rear tub before buying anything. A good kit includes the shaft seal.

Error codes linked to the tub bearing and outer tub

• E13Water or air leak detectedFrigidaire
• E52Drive motor or speed signal faultFrigidaire
• LCWater leak or water level problemSamsung
• F0E1Items found during Clean Washer cycleWhirlpool

Last reviewed 2026-10-19.