Laundry time can be unpleasant if you have a noisy dryer. Several issues can make your dryer squeaky including, a motor problem, a failing dryer belt, and unlubricated roller wheels or bearings. Before fixing your squeaky dryer, you will need to buy new parts, get a tool kit, spend time watching dryer repair videos on YouTube or read your dryer manual. Before you begin fixing your faulty dryer, you will need to unplug it to prevent accidents and ensure that you have a clean and large work area. A clean space will ensure that you can see any parts that drop on the floor.
These simple tips will help you identify the underlying issues with your dryer and help you resolve them.
What Are the Possible Cause of the Squeaking?
A squeaky dryer indicates that your appliance has some problems that you need to resolve as soon as possible. The best part is that you can quickly figure out the possible causes of the noises and their solutions. However, if you are an amateur, you can call in the pros to help you figure out what is wrong with your dryer.
It would help if you understood that there are numerous possible explanations for the squeaky noises that come from a dryer while it’s running. You may not know which one you are dealing with until you open the dryer up. The best thing is that dryers do not have many moving parts that can break down; hence, you can tell which part makes the noise quite easily.
Here are some of the reasons why your dryer is squeaky and the possible solutions for each issue.
A Faulty Dryer Belt
The dryer belt is a narrow and thin rubber ring that goes around the dryer drum. The belt is usually attached to the pulley, which is then attached to the motor. Whenever the motor is active, it will move the idler pulley; therefore, causing the drum and the belt to spin.
Your dryer belt might experience some severe wear depending on how often you use the dryer. Regular spinning may lead to stretching of your dryer belt, resulting in reduced efficiency. Whenever the belt is not snug against any metal drum, it won’t hold onto it firmly enough to spin it. Metal and loose rubbers do not always mix. The friction between the two materials could be the cause of the squeaking noise.
When you open up the dryer, you will be able to tell whether the squeaky noise is coming from your belt quickly. If you note that the rubber is loose, you will have to replace the belt. However, you should understand that you can’t do any replacement until you disconnect the wire harness plug and get rid of the mounting screws. Your manual will guide you on how to do this.
As soon as you remove the parts that might prevent you from accessing the belt, replacing the old belt should not be a difficult task. All you have to do is loop the new belt around the two pulleys, just like how the old belt was pooled.
Drum Glide Bearings
If the noises you hear sound like metal on plastic and not like a malfunctioning wheel or loose rubber, then you might be dealing with defective glide bearings. Glides are tiny strips of nylon, felt, or plastic that go along the edges of a drum. They are often attached through a series of locking tabs.
When you discover that your glide bearings have a problem, you will have to take out the entire dryer drum. As soon as you do this, you can use pliers to help you squeeze the tab pairs to push them back out of their holes and detach the beatings.
Idler Pulley
Your dryer probably has two pulleys; the idler pulley and the motor pulley. The idler pulley is found between the dryer belt and the motor. It is a spinning wheel, so it might lose traction or start wiggling, resulting in a squeaking noise.
You can confirm whether the idler pulley is the source of the squeaky noises by spinning it manually. Once you determine that the pulley is the cause of the squeak, you may remove the pulley from its bracket and replace it with a new one. Once done, you should return the belt and the other pieces to their places.
Replacing an idler pulley is not tricky, and you can do it after reading your dryer’s manual. The challenging part might be getting one that is compatible with your dryer because you shouldn’t pick just any replacement that comes your way.
A Noisy Damaged Motor
If your motor is noisy, it might be best to get a new one. However, the solution might not be worthwhile, especially if you aren’t an electrician. Getting an electrician would mean paying for their services and buying a new motor, which might be pretty expensive. If your motor is noisy, it might be time to get rid of your dryer and get a new one.
However, if you are determined to resolve the issue, you could purchase a new motor. The most challenging part would be finding a motor that is a perfect match for your dryer. Once you get one, you might need to unscrew the screws in the back of your dryer to remove your dryer’s back panel. Work until you have removed everything that’s preventing you from accessing the motor. Once you get to it, disconnect it before you begin the replacement process.
Replace the motor and go backward, putting every part together. Replacing a motor can be pretty complicated, and it might be best to call in an expert to help you. However, if you note that your motor is beyond repair, it might be best to get a new one.
Blower Wheel or Fan
The blower fan is a metal, nylon, or plastic wheel that draws air into the dryer when heated. The fan powers the heated air through the drum and out of the vent. The blower fan may collect debris or lint over time, leading to the fan’s damage and squealing noise.
If you suspect that your blower wheel is the cause of the squeaky noise, you should check it from the back of the dryer. Most dryers have a vented access panel at the bottom of the dryer back that allows for air to be drawn in by the fan. Remove and clean it if needed, check the fan rotation, and confirm if it’s making any unpleasant noises.
Is a squeaky Dryer Dangerous?
Squeaky noises coming from your dryer indicate that something might be wrong. If you can tolerate the noises, finish the load, and peruse through your owner’s manual to find possible causes and solutions. There is a risk of creating further damage if you keep on using a squeaking dryer.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Squeaky Dryer?
Fixing your squeaky dryer may cost around $100 to $400. This amount may cater to most drum issues, including clogged vents or a faulty thermostat. However, if you are unsure whether the repair costs are worth it, you should refer to the 50% rule.
The rule means that you should never spend more than 50% of the purchase cost when replacing an appliance. Therefore, if the cost of purchasing and repairing your dryer’s motor is $400, then it might be worth it, considering the purchase cost for a new dryer might be around $800.
Check this too: Samsung Dryer Troubleshooting & How to Guide
A dryer is an essential appliance in most households, and if you maintain yours well, it could last for decades. When your dryer starts making squeaking sounds, you should be concerned because it might indicate an underlying problem. The best thing is that a dryer has few moving parts; therefore, identifying the cause of the squeals is not very challenging. As soon as you identify the causes, repair or replace the parts because failure to do so may mean replacing the entire dryer.