I had this problem years ago with a really old washing machine...If you feel around the inside of the drum (carefully -don't gourge your fingers) with luck you will be able to feel it poking out -if not keep rotating the drum till you find it or keep trying after every load of washing - if it is making holes in your clothes it must poke out sometimes...once you get the end you can simply pull it out if necessary with pliers...
If this doesn't work - I'm pretty sure it will be a biggish job to get fixed...in my experience (mainly a washer/dryer though) just getting to the drum and case will involve removing all kinds of other parts too but I could be wrong - I'd be tempted to take the cover off and have a look - and it might be worth giving someone a call to see how much they'd charge...(tell them you have already tried pulling it out...)
lucky
September 2009