The brushes are for sensing the dryness of the load.
The element is probably the faulty part. A new one is £100-£150 depending on serial no.
If the inner door filters are blocked, the element will get damp & cause this problem. Take them out, wash & clean them with a fine brush. Dry them.
You may be lucky & find that the element has dried enough to stop the earth leakage.
Bernii
January 2011