Why Is My Dryer Making Loud Noises?

For the most part, your dryer should work perfectly well without making any loud or strange noises. However, due to wear and tear, various parts will eventually need to be replaced. If your dryer is making a strange noise, it could be due to one of these common reasons.

Drive belt

The drive belt can become damaged or frayed over time and this will result in strange noises as the drum turns. If the belt is worn, it should be replaced before any further wear occurs.

Drum roller

Your dryer has at least two drum support rollers supporting the rear of the drum and two on the front. When these rollers wear out, it can result in a large rumbling sound when the dryer is in use. If one of the rollers appears worn, it’s best to replace them all in order to avoid the same problem from occurring in the near future.

Drum roller axle

Just like the rollers, there are multiple axles and they too experience wear and tear. To diagnose this problem, the belt will need to be removed and you can try turning the drum by hand to see if it rotates freely or not. If not, the rollers are probably the cause. If it rotates freely, then it’s most likely one or more of the axles. It is also a good idea to consider replacing all of the axles and rollers at the same time to keep your dryer running smoothly without the need for repairs anytime soon.

Blower wheel

This wheel directs air through the dryer and out the vent. When lint and small pieces of clothing get caught in the blower wheel, it can result in quite a strange noise. Alternatively, if the blower wheel becomes worn, it can wobble about which is noisy of course. You can begin by checking the airflow. Weak airflow indicates a possible obstruction. If you try to turn the blower wheel and it wobbles, you should have this part replaced.

Drum bearing

This bearing is located at the rear of the drum and it wears out over time. The dryer belt needs to be removed in order to determine whether or not this is the cause of the noise. Common sounds associated with this problem include squealing or grinding noises when turned.

Drum slide, glide or pad

These parts support the drum as it rotates. This means that they are prone to plenty of wear and tear. Like many other parts, it’s important to make sure that you replace the full set when one or more are worn. This will prevent you from having to perform repairs again too soon.

Idler assembly

If the idler assembly is worn, it should be replaced. It’s also worth considering replacing the drive belt at the same time. These two parts work hand in hand so, if one is damaged or worn, it could mean that the other is on its way out too.

Idler pulley

The idler pulley experiences wear with every use so, if you notice that there is significant wear or damage, it should be replaced. You may want to replace the drive belt at the same time.

Drive motor

This is not a very common problem. Yes, the drive motor bearings can become worn out eventually but it is worth exploring all other possibilities before resorting to replacing the drive motor.

The complex inner workings of a dryer mean that diagnoses and repairs should always be performed by an expert. For professional dryer repairs in Ottawa, call Max Appliance Repair Ottawa at (613) 518-2177.