Noisy dryer

[Sean]

What are the options in fixing a clothes dryer that makes the classic high-pitch noise?

[Loose Cannon]

Replace the idler pulley assembly.

[Martik]

Could also be the motor. I got a used one for approx $20 3 years ago.

[jeff]

Hi,

Make, model#, approx age? Different dryers may make different noises when things fail. Drum supports ( roller wheels, rear drum bearings ) are common noise makers, belt idler pulley is another.

model# helps.

sections that may help :)

jeff.

Appliance Repair Aid

[Bob]

mine makes a high pitch noise if I forget to clean the lint screen. I usually do it before each load without even thinking so when I hear the lint sound, it takes a minute to remember what it is. Dryer lives in the basement, so the whole house has that faint whine - hard to notice if the stereo is on and hard to localize.

you've probably already checked the lint screen, Bob

[Dan O.]

The options are; find the effected part and replace it now or repair it later continuing to use it and perhpas cause more extensive damage (see below).

The most common possible trouble makers are a worn idler (belt tensioner) pulley, wworn drum rollers or slides, worn front drum seal, worn drum shaft and/or shaft bearing.

BTW. Depending on the brand and design of the dryer, continuing to use a dryer in that condition can lead to more extensive damage costing more to repair. If your dryer is one of those brands (Frigidaire, Tappan, White Westinghouse, amoung others), I strongly advise you to

*discontinue use* until it can be looked into!

Dan O.

- Appliance411.com

=Ð~~~~~~

[Terry]

In our case it's either 1) the pulley that keeps the tension on the belt that rotates the drum. OR: 2) The Blower bearing has become dried up and stuff and the shorter belt driving it is slipping an squealing. Our Canadian Sears type dryer is 41+ years old; we recall replacing the long belt driving the drum once, and the shorter blower belt maybe twice. Both are driven by the one motor. Oiling the pulley item (1) can involve lying flat on the floor with an oiler trying to get a few drops of oil onto the pin/shaft that the pulley rotates on! Number (2) requires (in our case) to get into the back of the dryer and determine whether it is the belt or the need to dismount the blower to oil its shaft. There appears to be no arrangement made for oiling the blower bearing from externally and at one point I rigged up a drinking straw arrangement to get some lubrication into the blower bearing on a regular basis. However its worked Ok now for many years. North American style dryers are usually pretty simple in design. Disconnect power though if you are unsure before you go inside them. Also we have, only once had to replace the rubbing edge that supports the drum at the front around the 'door' opening, but that didn't cause a high pitched squeal! Any help.

[Stormin Mormonn]

My noisy drier, it was the rollers (about three inch diameter) that held up the back of the drum.

[Randy Calhoun]

Stop your wife from using it as a hair dryer.