21 replies to this topic

[spokesnwheels]

Hey all...

I have an older Maytag Dryer that developed a squeal and burning rubber smell a couple of weeks ago. Prior to that there was a slight rumble sound that would happen as the dryer started up. That would pass as the dryer got going. I thought that the belt was going bad, so I replaced it. While doing that I also vacuumed out the dryer of all the dust and lint.

Started back up the dryer and the noise came back. I THOUGHT that it was from the back of the dryer, so I replaced the idler pulley last night.

I rotated the drum, and the noise was there. It is not a constant squeal and squeak, but intermittent. I got down by the blower wheel and listen there, the sound was in that area. How would I know if the offender is just the wheel or the ugh.... motor? If it is the wheel, can replacing that rid my dryer of that awful noise?

Thanks so much in advance!
- Raven

[KurtiusInterupptus]

The rumble you describe is prolly he blower wheel stripped out on the shaft. To check, remove the front again and rotate the blower wheel while holding the drum. Does the wheel spin freely? If so, it is stripped.
as for the squeaking, if you already replaced the idler pulley, need to inspect the drum rollers and front glides.
rollers should spin freely when spun by hand, if binding, replace. Glides are on the front bulkhead...the bottom of the drum rides on them. If worn down to the metal, could be your squeaking although prolly would not be intermittent.

[spokesnwheels]

I will check that this evening when I get home. Thanks!

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Part link for blower wheel ==> Blower Wheel

[spokesnwheels]

Okay held the drum and spun the blower wheel. It was not loosely spinning but I could move it. I did notice that it spun a little off center - a little bit of a wobble.

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Sounds like Master Kurtius done smacked anuddin outta da park!

[spokesnwheels]

Okay in theory would replacing that wheel solve the issue, or could I be looking at a more costly repair, like a new motor?

[Comstock_Services]

the blower wheel, loose on the shaft will cause all kinds of noise. I'll stand behind Kurtis and the Samurai on the verdict, if you think the blower wheel is loose on the shaft of the motor, then, remove, the spring clip that helps hold the blower wheel in place and investigate further, if it spins or moves side to side on the motor shaft while you are holding the drum, its bad.

[spokesnwheels]

Yeah it was a little loose, but not flopping around. There was some resisted movement when I held the drum and rotated the blower wheel. I also made sure that the belt wasn't moving at the time.

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Also, remove the front panel and check out the front drum glides. If they're worn thru the teflon into the cork, that'll make some gawd-awful squealation. Part link ==> Drum Slide or Glide

And here's now to replace 'em:

[spokesnwheels]

The glides are in good shape. I did check that.

[KurtiusInterupptus]

How's about the 2 drum rollers at the back?

[spokesnwheels]

How's about the 2 drum rollers at the back?

They spun without any noise or resistance.

[spokesnwheels]

the blower wheel, loose on the shaft will cause all kinds of noise. I'll stand behind Kurtis and the Samurai on the verdict, if you think the blower wheel is loose on the shaft of the motor, then, remove, the spring clip that helps hold the blower wheel in place and investigate further, if it spins or moves side to side on the motor shaft while you are holding the drum, its bad.

As far as the blower wheel spinning freely, per this repair vid, it looks like it is supposed to. @ 1:45 mark.



I will delve further and remove the spring clip and look closer.

My laundry runneth over.

[Comstock_Services]

ok I was not meaning that it should spin freely like they describe. If you hold the motor shaft and the blower wheel has play on the shaft, then it could be the cause of your squeak. What they are refering to in the video is to be sure that it turns with the shaft, freely, (not binding). If you have checked the drum glides, the rollers, the Idler pulley and are satisfied, that it is not the blower wheel making the noise, then, the only thing left is the motor.

[spokesnwheels]

Thanks for the clarification! I checked everything else and the sound is isolated to the blower wheel area. I am HOPING that it is not the motor! I was not able to remove the blower wheel last night because I did not have any snap ring pliers on hand. Man those things are not cheap, btw! I was in hopes that my maintenance guys in our company's facilities department had a set, but they don't. Oh well! I'll shell out the cash and pick a set up today.

I appreciate the assistance and feedback very much!

[spokesnwheels]

Well... removed the blower wheel, and removed the belt from the drum as well. I took my pliers and rotated the motor shaft, and it started to squeak. UGH. So... am I looking at a new motor now? Man oh man this kinda sucks.

[RegUS_PatOff]

... took my pliers and rotated the motor shaft, and it started to squeak. UGH.

http://www.repaircli...R=154&N=1245851

 

[spokesnwheels]

OKay here is something funny. I got everything off of the motor shaft, and then started clearing away all the lint and crap that was gunked on it. I turned the shaft again for about 30 secs and no squeak at all. I'm going to re-assemble and see if that was what the issue was.

[BobNJ]

And the result was? Curious minds want to know. Plus, someone that has the exact same symptoms with a Maytag LDG7304aae, although I have cleaned off all of the lint I could and it still squeaks. Also, the burning rubber smell seems to be forgotten in this thread. Is that not important? I would be reassured if I could ignore that and the sparking and ozone smell from my stove.