Drum bearing replacement costs vary by brand, with parts for common models ranging from KSh 500-2,000 and full professional service hitting KSh 5,000-25,000 in Kenya.
Parts Costs by Brand
Bearing kits (including seals and grease) are affordable for DIY, but OEM parts cost more than generics. Prices reflect 2026 Nairobi market via repair.co.ke and local suppliers.
LG (e.g., FH0C7FD2MS): KSh 1,000-2,500/kit. Common 6205/6206 bearings plus seal; generics KSh 800/pair.
Samsung Bespoke AI: KSh 1,500-3,000. Sealed tub designs may need outer tub (extra KSh 10,000).
Hisense WF3S1043BT: KSh 500-1,200. Budget kits widely available at Urban Appliances.
Speed Queen SCN060: KSh 2,000-4,000. Commercial-grade, durable but pricier imports.
Electrolux/Maytag: KSh 1,200-2,800. LuxCare models require specialized pullers.
DIY tools add KSh 2,000-5,000 one-time (bearing puller, mallet).
Labor and Total Service Costs
Professionals charge KSh 3,000-15,000 labor (3-6 hours at KSh 1,000-2,000/hr), plus KSh 1,000 diagnostic fee. Total: KSh 5,000-25,000 depending on access.
Nairobi firms like Gosstech.co.ke or repair.co.ke quote:
Basic front-load: KSh 7,000-12,000.
Sealed tub (LG/Samsung): KSh 15,000-30,000 (full tub swap).
Commercial (15kg+): KSh 20,000-40,000 due to disassembly.
| Brand | Parts (KSh) | Labor (KSh) | Total Pro (KSh) | DIY Total (KSh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG | 1,000-2,500 | 4,000-10,000 | 7,000-15,000 | 2,000-5,000 |
| Samsung | 1,500-3,000 | 5,000-15,000 | 10,000-25,000 | 3,000-7,000 |
| Hisense | 500-1,200 | 3,000-7,000 | 5,000-10,000 | 1,000-3,000 |
| Speed Queen | 2,000-4,000 | 8,000-20,000 | 15,000-30,000 | 4,000-8,000 |
| Electrolux | 1,200-2,800 | 5,000-12,000 | 9,000-20,000 | 2,500-6,000 |
Factors Affecting Price
Machine Age/Design: Pre-2020 top-loads cheaper (KSh 4,000 total); sealed front-loads often uneconomical over KSh 20,000.
Location: Nairobi/Kisumu: standard rates; upcountry adds KSh 2,000-5,000 travel.
Warranty: LG 10-year motor coverage may offset; check before repair.
Urgency: Emergency calls +20-50%.
Replace if under 7 years old and total <50% new machine cost (e.g., KSh 15,000 repair vs KSh 200,000 LG commercial)
Is drum bearing repair worth it vs buying new machine
Drum bearing repair is often worth it for newer, high-use machines like commercial LG or Speed Queen models in Kenya, but buying new makes sense for older budget units where total costs exceed 50% of replacement value.
When Repair Wins
Opt for bearing replacement if your washer meets these criteria, balancing Kenyan repair quotes (KSh 7,000-25,000) against new prices (KSh 50,000-550,000).
Machine Age: Under 5-6 years old. Bearings last 5-10 years in homes, 2-4 in dobis; fresh units gain 5+ more years post-fix.
Overall Condition: No other faults (e.g., motor, leaks). Repair restores like-new spin on efficient inverters, saving KSh 100,000+ yearly electricity vs old top-loaders.
Usage Type: Commercial/high-volume justifies KSh 15,000-30,000 fixes—ROI in 3-6 months via reliable 100+ cycles/day.
DIY Feasibility: Handy owners spend KSh 2,000-5,000 on kits, avoiding labor; pros add KSh 5,000-15,000 but warranty seals.
Cost Threshold: Repair <40-50% new machine price (e.g., KSh 12,000 on KSh 200,000 LG vs buying new).
Example: LG FH0C7FD2MS (3 years old, dobi use) at KSh 15,000 repair beats KSh 280,000 replacement, extending life amid KPLC savings.
When to Buy New
Scrap repair for these scenarios—new A+++ models offer 40-70% energy cuts, Wi-Fi diagnostics, and 5-10 year warranties.
Machine Age: Over 6-8 years. Imminent failures (e.g., inverter, seals) cascade post-bearing fix.
Design Limits: Sealed drums (newer Samsung/LG) can’t split easily—full tub swap rivals new machine cost.
High Repair Quote: KSh 20,000+ on budget Hisense (new: KSh 55,000) or if labor nears purchase price.
Low Usage: Homes with infrequent loads favor new for hassle-free tech like AI load sensing.
Budget Models: Hisense/Samsung generics wear faster; upgrade to commercial-grade for dobis.
Example: 7-year-old Hisense at KSh 10,000 repair risks repeat issues vs KSh 55,000 new with 10-year motor warranty.
Cost-Benefit Comparison
| Scenario | Repair Cost (KSh) | New Machine (KSh) | Break-Even Years | Best Choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG Commercial <5yrs | 10k-20k | 250k | 2-3 | Repair |
| Samsung Home >7yrs | 15k-25k | 180k | 1 | New |
| Hisense Dobi Startup | 5k-10k | 55k | 0.5 | New |
| Speed Queen Heavy Use | 20k-30k | 500k | 3-5 | Repair |
Repair shines for dobis (high ROI on uptime); homes lean new for efficiency. Factor warranties—LG covers motors 10 years post-repair.
Get a pro quote first; in Nairobi, Gosstech.co.ke assesses free, weighing age, usage, and KPLC savings for tailored advice