Main bearing made of cheese, failed after 18 months
Recommend to potential buyers:
no
Full review
I'll keep this short - as I don't feel a great deal of explanation is necessary;
To summarise the characteristics of the Hotpoint VTD00 drier; it's a conventional 'hot air' drier without a condenser which offers a basic timer and a larger than average drum capacity.
This was quite handy, as it allowed the washing more room to tumble about the drum, resulting in what seemed to be a quicker drying cycle.
We bought our Hotpoint drier to replace a trusty model, which had given many years trouble free service (until it died).
Cost-wise, it was 'midrange' - about £150, and was a well known (and respected) brand.
Around two years later, our 'new' Hotpoint started making 'funny' noises, we ignored this at first, but eventually, it sounded like you were dragging tin cans over concrete slabs, and the drum had stopped turning altogether.
Stripping the drier down soon revealed the source of the problem.
Almost the entire weight of the drum and washing are supported by a single 10mm spindle and bearing.
The bearing sleeve had worn through and the spindle was gradually being 'eaten' by the bearing mounts.
It might as well have been made of cheese, for all the good it did! (I have since read other reviews of this product, which came to a similar conclusion!)
As the shaft was made of mild steel, it didn't take long before it eventually wore through, and the drum stuck altogether.
We were left to decide whether to try and get a new bearing (knowing that it's probably fail in another year or so) or write it off and buy a new drier - we chose the latter option, and decided NOT to buy HOTPOINT again!
SO unless you expect to use this for a maximum of twelve months, give this one a miss.
**** UPDATE **** A friend offered to pay for replacement parts, which cost around £18. I fitted them and the machine now works like new.
The attached photograph shows the failed components alongside the new ones.
The new bearing mount looks more hardy than the old one, being made of metal rather than the less substantial polymer - my description of it being made of 'cheese' wasn't that far out!
The work took me around an hour or so - teh kit kame with instructions which were reasonably easy to follow.
The kit also came with a set of new front bearings and seals, but on inspection it looked like they didn't need replacing.
Time will only tell how long this will last - I suspect a regular 'greasing' would probably extend it's life consideraby.
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