if you CANNOT see any SCREWS or SPRING CLIPS around  where the joint area is,  this indicates the drum  has been plastic welded together (VULCANIZED)
either have to  buy a complete drum assembly, or scrap the machine .
Note 
if under 5 years old warranty maybe cheaper to pay the Hotpoint  call out fee for them to repair it 
 suggest you look into this option !
                
 wirecutterman
                
 May 2010