WM-16220 FD, LG washing machine first made grinding noises and now shows LE?

Hi, my LG Washer WM - 16220FD first made grinding noises when spinning and now it sounds more like stones being thrown around inside. Initially I used 1600 spin cycle but reduced it to synthetic wash 1200 spin. Additionally the mashine showed LE sign on digital display so I emptied sieve/filter which was almost empty. How easy is it to check whether its the bearings and to see whether its beyond repair? In one of the other answering bits it is mentioned that the water pump could be blocked or defect, how easy is it to exchange?

chris
October 2011