I have a Kenmore model 110 electric dryer, don't know the age. It just started making a horrific, continuous, pulsating screech when running. Not like when your car's belts are slipping, more like metal on metal. I looked inside the drum at the fabric/plastic bearing on both ends and it doesn't look extremely worn through. I guess its silly to oil this bearing if you want your clothes clean.

What other parts would screech? I took the back off and part of the lint chute to see the fan but not too deep into it yet...the belt feels tight but still could be slipping I guess...

It dries clothes just fine, but you can't stay in the same room for very long...

gado wrote:

I have a Kenmore model 110 electric dryer, don't know the age. It just
started making a horrific, continuous, pulsating screech when running.
Not like when your car's belts are slipping, more like metal on metal.
I looked inside the drum at the fabric/plastic bearing on both ends and
it doesn't look extremely worn through. I guess its silly to oil this
bearing if you want your clothes clean.

What other parts would screech? I took the back off and part of the
lint chute to see the fan but not too deep into it yet...the belt feels
tight but still could be slipping I guess...

It dries clothes just fine, but you can't stay in the same room for
very long...

Not sure how that one is made but the ones I have had (primarily GE)
have a nylon bushing on the rear spindle that eventually will wear out.
Have to pull the drum (not more than about a 15-minute job) to replace
it.

Update: Took the top cover off plus the door w/front panels, cut out the belt (cracking) and removed the drum. I removed the tensioner and notice that its plastic wheel seems to be tight, doesn't spin very easily. Is this the noisemaker? Doesn't look repairable. The two rubber drum rollers spin fine with only a little play in their shafts. The motor has no discernable shaft play. I'll try replacing the tensioner and belt.

Duane Bozarth wrote:

gado wrote:

I have a Kenmore model 110 electric dryer, don't know the age. It just
started making a horrific, continuous, pulsating screech when running.
Not like when your car's belts are slipping, more like metal on metal.
I looked inside the drum at the fabric/plastic bearing on both ends and
it doesn't look extremely worn through. I guess its silly to oil this
bearing if you want your clothes clean.

What other parts would screech? I took the back off and part of the
lint chute to see the fan but not too deep into it yet...the belt feels
tight but still could be slipping I guess...

It dries clothes just fine, but you can't stay in the same room for
very long...


Not sure how that one is made but the ones I have had (primarily GE)
have a nylon bushing on the rear spindle that eventually will wear out.
Have to pull the drum (not more than about a 15-minute job) to replace
it.

Some dryers support the drum at its back end with wheels about the size
of those on roller skates. See if your dryer has them and if so, they
they need lubing or replacement.

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."

gado wrote:
Update: Took the top cover off plus the door w/front panels, cut out
the belt (cracking) and removed the drum. I removed the tensioner and
notice that its plastic wheel seems to be tight, doesn't spin very
easily. Is this the noisemaker? Doesn't look repairable. The two
rubber drum rollers spin fine with only a little play in their shafts.
The motor has no discernable shaft play. I'll try replacing the
tensioner and belt.
gado

Hi,

I removed the tensioner and
notice that its plastic wheel seems to be tight, doesn't spin very
easily. Is this the noisemaker?

Probably is...roller wheels and idler pulley are common noise makers.

http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=153&N=3346
Dryer idler pulley

http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=153&N=529597
Most common dryer belt

http://www.applianceaid.com/whirlpool-dryers.html
Something that may help.

jeff.
Appliance Repair Aid
http://www.applianceaid.com/

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

On Sun, 17 Jul 2005 20:06:00 +0100, gado
wrote:

I have a Kenmore model 110 electric dryer

Model 110.??????????

110. is the prefix for washers and dryers. The model number is the
mantissa (to the right of the radix).

depending on the model, there are felt seals and Teflon glides that
may need replacement, as well. Screeching usually means metal on
metal, and it's usually the drum surface.

Also the tensioner pulley should spin freely when out of the machine.
Worn rollers usually cause a rattling/rumbling and/or rhythmic
thumping sound.



-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: PGP 7.1

iQA/AwUBQtxdJgIk7T39FC4ZEQI7DQCeKXsOt5Sg3gRI8tszhywpvn 73nR4An2ok
H/XU57eMwdPtIZY39eFVtxh1
=K2e5
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

--
-john
wide-open at throttle dot info

OP-

Did I miss the age of the unit?

BTDT in ~1990 I replaced the idler wheels AND the idler wheel SHAFTS
on a 1973 Kenmore dryer (it was squealing that crazy!) The unit had
been inserive at my house since (family of four; two young boys)

the shafts where worn, I could feel their out of roundness

it's sitll running in my shop ~ 5 loads per week since 1990; no squeals

Bob

gado wrote:


Update: Took the top cover off plus the door w/front panels, cut out
the belt (cracking) and removed the drum. I removed the tensioner and
notice that its plastic wheel seems to be tight, doesn't spin very
easily. Is this the noisemaker? Doesn't look repairable. The two
rubber drum rollers spin fine with only a little play in their shafts.
The motor has no discernable shaft play. I'll try replacing the
tensioner and belt.

Just to add to what Jeff said. In my experience, at this time it is
worthwhile spending a few extra dollars and buying;
1. The whole tensioner assembly- not just the wheel.
2. Check the 2 little wheels that the rear of the drum ride on. If
they aren't 100% freewheeling, then replace them, too. They also come
as a wheel only set, or as a complete assembly. Buy the complete
assembly.

In my house- if I replace just the pulley or wheels, the repair will
last a year or two. By replacing the entire assembly it jumps to 5-6
years. [my dryer is 25 years old and thanks to Appliance aid it runs
like a new one]

Jim