Introduction to How to Fix a Squeaky Dryer
If your dryer makes a lot of noise, doing the laundry might be annoying. Your dryer may squeak due to several problems, including a malfunctioning dryer belt, unlubricated roller wheels, and erosive bearings. You will need to buy replacement parts, get a tool kit, spend time watching dryer repair tutorials on YouTube, or read your dryer manual before you can fix your squeaky dryer.
You must disconnect your squeaky dryer before you start mending it to avoid mishaps and also make sure you have a spacious and spotless work area. Any parts which, accidentally fall to the floor will be visible in a clean space.
A squeaky dryer is a sign that you need to address any issues with the equipment as promptly as possible. If you are a novice, you can contact a professional to assist you in diagnosing the issue with your dryer. It would be beneficial if you were aware that there are several potential causes for the squeaky sounds made by a running dryer.
Until you open the dryer, you might not be able to determine which one you have. The best part is that dryers don’t have a lot of moving parts that could malfunction; as a result, you can simply identify the noisy component.
A few reasons are discussed here for squeaky dryers, along with potential fixes for each.
A defective dryer belt
The dryer drum is encircled by a long, slender rubber belt called the dryer belt. Typically, the pulley is connected to the motor before the belt is fastened to it. The idler pulley will rotate whenever the motor is running, which will turn the drum and the belt.
Depending on how frequently you use the dryer, your belt may suffer from severe wear. Regular spinning could stretch your dryer belt, which would decrease efficiency. The belt will not be able to spin a metal drum if it is not properly fastened to it. It’s not a wise idea to combine metal with loose rubbers. The squeaky dryer sound can be the result of friction between the two components.
You can instantly determine if the squeaky noise is coming from your belt when you open the dryer. Replace the belt if the rubber is found to be loose. Be aware, that you can’t replace anything until you unplug the wire harness plug and remove the mounting screws. You’ll find instructions for doing this in your manual.
It shouldn’t be challenging to replace the old belt once you remove any parts that can obstruct your access to it. The new belt just needs to be looped around the two pulleys in the same manner as the old, pooled belt.
Bearings for Drum Glides
You can have faulty gliding bearings if the noises you hear from the squeaky dryer don’t come from a broken wheel or a piece of loose rubber but rather sound like metal or plastic. A drum’s edges are covered with microscopic nylon, or plastic glides. They are frequently affixed using several locking tabs.
You will need to remove the complete dryer drum if you find that your glide bearings are malfunctioning. As soon as you’ve done that, you can use pliers to aid you in pressing the tab pairs back into their openings and separating the beatings.
Idler Pulley
The idler pulley and the motor pulley are most likely the two pulleys in your dryer. Between the dryer belt and the motor is where you’ll find the idler pulley. It could lose stability or begin to wiggle, producing a squeaking sound since it is a spinning wheel.
By manually spinning the idler pulley, you can determine whether it is the cause of the squeaking sounds. You can take the pulley off of its bracket and swap it out for a new one once you’ve ascertained that the pulley is what’s causing the squeak. You must put the belt and the other components back in their place once you’re done.
After reading the dryer’s instruction manual, you may replace an idler pulley without much difficulty. The difficult aspect may be finding one that is functional with your dryer since you should not settle for any substitute which gets your way.
Damaged, noisy motor
It could be preferable to purchase a new motor if your current one is noisy. However, purchasing a new motor would be quite expensive, in addition to paying for the electrician’s services. The best possible solution might be to replace your squeaky dryer with a new one if its motor is noisy.
However, you should buy a new motor if you are determined to fix the problem. Finding a motor that is a perfect match for your dryer will be the most difficult part. Once you have one, you might need to remove the rear panel of your dryer by unscrewing the screws at the dryer’s back. Work until you’ve removed everything that’s impeding access to the motor.
After accessing, detach it so that you may start the replacement procedure.
Get the motor replaced, then assemble each component in reverse order. It may be better to seek professional assistance if you’re replacing a motor because it might be somewhat complicated.
It would be wise to get a new motor if you discover that yours is beyond fixing.
Fan or blower wheel
When heated, the blower fan, which is a wheel made of metal, nylon, or plastic, sucks air into the dryer. The hot air is forced through the drum and out of the vent by the fan. Over time, the blower fan may accumulate lint or debris. That could cause damage to the fan, thus making a squealing noise.
You should check your blower wheel from the dryer’s back if you think it’s the source of the squeaky sounds. For the fan to suck air in, most dryers feature a vented access panel at the bottom of the dryer back. If necessary, remove it, clean it, check the fan’s rotation, and ascertain whether it’s creating any undesirable noises.
Conclusion
Now you know, How to Fix a Squeaky Dryer by yourself. The dryer is a necessary item in the majority of households, and with proper care, it might last for many years. You should be concerned if you have a squeaky dryer since it could be a sign of something more serious.
The fact that there aren’t many moving parts in a dryer makes it easier to pinpoint the source of the squeals. As soon as you determine the causes, fix, or replace the problematic parts. Because failing to do so may necessitate replacing the dryer entirely.
But it is always recommended that you must call your nearest experts who know How to Fix a Squeaky Dryer efficiently.