My dryer makes a squealing noise. It doesn’t happen for the entire cycle - kind of in spurts.
I took off the front of the dryer to investigate. The dryer drum glides look okay to my untrained eye. I uploaded an image of the one that appeared to be a little more worn.
Also, the drum has some scratches grooved into it. Looks like it is rubbing against something that is digging into it. Do you think this is what could be making the squealing noise and if so, is it due to the drum glides not supporting the drum properly?
Thanks.
Hi.
You need to check what’s making this grooves on the drum. Also check the rear support rollers and shafts.
Provide the model number, so I can look up the parts.
Thank you.
Simon.
Not sure of the model number - where do I find that?
It is rubbing against this metal piece (blower housing?). Image attached.
Also, how do I know if the drum glides are worn out? They look okay to me, but I don’t know what to look for.
Hi.
The glide on the picture looks OK. Check the glide’s bracket position: is it bent ? Check the felt seal.
The model number tag could be on the top of the control panel or inside the door and door frame.
Simon.
The brackets are slightly curved, by design I believe. They don’t look abnormally bent.
I removed the drum and it is definitely the drum rubbing up against the metal housing of the blower, which means the drum is sitting too low in the front. So the question is, what is causing the drum to sit so low? The belt didn’t appear too loose.
Hi.
Please provide the model number, I need to see what I’m dealing with.
Simon.
Hi.
Check the glide brackets ,felt pads, glides, felt drum seal.
Here are the breakdown diagram and http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=5174207&diagram_id=28598670
Simon.
Simon / APP Team said:
Hi.
Check the glide brackets ,felt pads, glides, felt drum seal.
Here are the breakdown diagram and http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=5174207&diagram_id=28598670
Simon.
Anything specifically that I should be looking for in terms of wear? Everything looks okay to me.
Also, the dryer is only a year and a half old. Do any certain parts tend to go quicker than others (within this time frame)?
I already put it back together, but I don’t recall seeing a dryer glide felt pad: http://www.appliancepartspros.com/Appliance-Parts/whirlpool-dryer-glide-felt-pad-item-number-ap4054017.aspx
Should I have one of these under each dryer glide? What is the purpose of these dryer glide felt pads?
Hi.
Most likely if you will replace the glides and install the pads it will raise the drum.
Thank you.
Simon.
Yea, that’s what I was thinking. I’ll try that.
Please , post the results.
Simon.
I did this and it seemed to work for a little while. The loud squealing is gone, but now there’s a more subtle sound. I think it is the rear rollers. Should I try to lubricate them or just replace them?
Hi.
May be just a tiny drop of oil or WD-40.
Simon.
The idler pulley was a bit loose - too much play back and forth. So I tightened it up and added a washer. That seemed to work. I think the sound was the metal piece of the idler pulley going back and forth against part of the motor.
I’m glad you where able to take care of the problem.
Simon.
Guess I spoke too soon. Dryer started making sounds again. This time, the sound was a bit different.
Looks like something is digging into the tensioner wheel. See the groove in the middle? It doesn’t go all the way around the wheel. I can’t figure out what could be digging into it. There’s no way the wheel can come in contact with the motor or anything. Could the belt itself have done this?
Guess my best bet is to just buy a new tension pulley assembly?
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/Appliance-Parts/whirlpool-dryer-belt-tension-pulley-assembly-item-number-ap4046792.aspx
Hi.
Get the new belt also. The groove on the pulley is made by the belt when the pulley jammed.
Simon.