Tumble Dryer Making Strange Noises
If you’ve ever been startled by a sudden, strange noise coming from your tumble dryer, you’re not alone. It’s a common issue that many homeowners face. But what causes these noises, and more importantly, how can you fix them? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the most common causes of strange noises in tumble dryers and provide step-by-step solutions to help you restore peace and quiet in your laundry room.
1. Drive Belt
The drive belt is a long, thin belt that wraps around the drum and the motor pulley, providing the force needed to rotate the drum. Over time, the drive belt can dry out, become frayed, and even break, causing a thumping noise every time the drum turns.
Solution: You can inspect the drive belt by removing the tumble dryer’s front panel. If you notice any signs of wear, such as cracking or fraying, it’s time to replace the drive belt. You can find replacement belts online or at your local appliance parts store. Remember to unplug your dryer before starting any repairs.
2. Drum Roller
Several rollers at the front and rear of most tumble dryers support the drum. After years of use, these rollers can wear out and cause the drum to stop moving freely. A squealing or thumping noise may indicate one or more drum rollers have worn flat, broken, or are binding.
Solution: A certified technician should inspect the rollers for wear. If one or more are severely worn, all the drum rollers should be replaced to ensure they wear evenly. This is a more complex repair and may require special tools.
3. Drum Roller Axle
The axles that hold the drum rollers at the front and rear of the dryer are called axles. Both the rollers and axles can wear out and create a loud rumbling noise with extended use.
Solution: The belt must be removed and the drum turned by hand to determine if the axles have worn out. A repair technician will inspect the rollers and axles for wobbling and ensure the drum spins freely. If even one axle is worn, all will be replaced to keep the drum turning smoothly.
4. Blower Wheel
Gas and electric dryers use a blower wheel to draw air through the heating chamber, the drum, and the exhaust vent. Three main issues can cause a thumping or roaring noise from the blower wheel:
- Lint, small articles of clothing, and other objects can get past the lint filter and lodge in the blower wheel.
- The blower wheel came loose from the threaded shaft, or the clamp holding it in place came off.
- The plastic blower wheel has worn out.
Solution: Remove the dryer vent to assess the airflow. Weak airflow can indicate an obstruction or wear. If a dryer makes weird noises, a repair technician should check for objects hitting the wheel, inspect the blower wheel for wobble, and replace it as necessary.
5. Drum Bearing
Some dryers use a bearing to support the back of the drum. It can be set up like a ball, socket, or shaft with a sleeve bushing. A squeaking or squealing noise may indicate the bearing has worn.
Solution: A technician must remove the dryer belt and turn the drum by hand to determine if this is the problem. If it turns hard and the dryer makes a grinding noise when spinning the drum bearing should be replaced.
6. Baffle or Lifter
The baffles or lifters inside your drum keep clothes from sticking to the inside and help to tumble and fluff them as they dry. Small objects like loose change can become lodged underneath and cause a rattling noise. Worn or loose baffles can also cause a clumping noise and damage your clothing.
Solution: Check for loose change or other objects stuck under the baffles, and remove them. If the dryer is making a loud noise, a repairman should replace loose or worn baffles or lifters.
7. Drum Slide, Glide, or Pad
Made from Teflon, nylon, or plastic, drum slides (glides) support the dryer’s front and sides. They have a felt or cork backing to provide a smooth surface for the drum to rotate on. As they wear out, you’ll notice a scraping sound.
Solution: The dryer’s cabinet must be removed to determine if the slides (glides) are worn out. Then, a service technician should inspect and replace the glides as a set.
8. Idler Pulley
The idler puller provides tension to the drum belt to prevent slippage when the dryer has a load. However, increased friction may cause the dryer to squeak or squeal as the idler pulley starts to wear because of its high-speed rotation. As it wears further, the noise will sound like a loud scraping or thumping.
Solution: A technician must remove the belt to check the idler puller operation. Any binding, wear, or wobble will require replacement.
9. Idler Assembly (Shaft)
The idler assembly (shaft) may become damaged or worn from a problem with the idler pulley that provides tension on the drum belt. This may cause a loud scraping or thumping noise as it worsens.
Solution: The idler assembly is located near the drive motor’s bottom of the dryer. A technician can service the part through the lower access panel or front of the machine. Any wear to the idler assembly should prompt replacing the unit and the drive belt.
10. Drive Motor
The drive motor on gas and electric dryers turns the blower and drum. Some noises may indicate a problem with the drive motor—rattling from a loose pulley, high-pitched noise from a lousy bearing, or humming noise from a bad switch on the motor.
Solution: Your technician should remove the drum belt or blower wheel to ensure the motor is the problem. Once he’s determined all other parts are working correctly, replace the drive motor.
Yorkshire Appliances
Remember, a noisy dryer can be a symptom of a bigger problem. If you’re having trouble determining where the noise is coming from, it might be time to call in the professionals. At Yorkshire Appliances, we have a team of experienced technicians ready to help. Visit our contact page to schedule a service appointment today.
Regular maintenance can prevent many of these issues from occurring in the first place. So, keep your tumble dryer clean, check for loose objects, and listen for any unusual noises. With the right care and attention, you can keep your tumble dryer running smoothly for years to come.
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