Bearings are used in the motor of a washing machine. How long a washing machine’s bearings last varies from case to case. If you notice that your washing machine is making more and more noise while running a wash cycle, this could be a sign that your washing machine’s bearings need to be replaced. If a bearing is defective, it is usually the bearing on the drive side. But also in case of rust it is wise to replace the bearing(s). In many cases bearings fail because water leaks on them and they start rusting.