This appliance is getting increasingly noisy during certain parts of the cycle. A medium pitched roaring noise or howl is evident at the start and end of the cycle. It appears to occur when the drain pump is running. I have checked as much as I can internally - there is no debris evident in the sump, and the pump impeller appears to be intact. I did find the drain hose to be too low, and hence elevated it. Could it be pump motor bearings? Access to the pump only appears possible by taking the bottom casing apart. Are there any other possible items that I should check next?
Noise is getting worse, hence I bumped my request for help up.