Maytag Dryer D-4 Model LDG8604AAE - rumbling

[PEvans]

Dryer makes an increasingly loud rumbling sound when it runs. It sounds like there are shoes in it.

Maybe the belt or rollers?

[Hiroshi]

Nope, you are going to have a stripped blower wheel.   Part number: Y303836  The fan hub should have a "D" shaped hole through it...yours will be an "O," so the wheel will begin spinning, but it can't keep up with the speed of the motor and vibrates as it slows down and accelerates again...

 

It is always a good idea to check the front drum glides for wear and be sure the rear rollers are spinning freely... the trickiest part is getting the belt back on correctly... it will go "Ribs Up" on the drum and as it feeds through the idler the "Ribs" will ride on the motor pulley.

[PEvans]

Thanks very much for the response.

Should I replace the belt and rollers "while I'm in there?"

Also, is there a procedure someplace for getting the dryer apart and getting access?

[Hiroshi]

If you cannot get the front off, I will wager you are going to have major difficulty with this repair. Since this is one of the best machines ever created, it is worth paying an experienced tech to fix it. There are many parts that will need inspecting and maintenance if this repair is to be worth it...

That being said, here is how to fix the blower wheel...

1. Disconnect the power. The repair requires a pair of "snap-ring" pliers.
2. Remove the two screws (#2 Phillips) on the front panel, pull the bottom of the front panel towards you until it unhooks from the top cover.
3. DO NOT pull the front panel away until you remove the wires from the door switch. Mark the placement of the door switch wires.
4. At this point, with the panel removed, you can see the blower wheel in its metal housing facing at you through the hole with the fiber gasket around it.
5. If you spin the wheel and the drum does not turn with it... it is a lock that this is the part you need...
6. remove the 1/4" nut drive screws from the perimeter of the blower housing, squeeze the ears of the clamp and remove it from the shaft (if still present)
7. use the snap ring pliers to remove the ring fitted onto the motor shaft groove...
8. remove the stripped blower wheel, tap the new one into place until the groove on the shaft is exposed and replace the snap ring you previously removed.
9. re-assemble the blower housing.
10. If you make it this far, please let me know and I will type out the rest of the instructions for removing the drum, roller wheels, and belt...

 

Edited December 20, 2016 by Hiroshi

[evaappliance]

16 hours ago, Hiroshi said:

If you cannot get the front off, I will wager you are going to have major difficulty with this repair. Since this is one of the best machines ever created, it is worth paying an experienced tech to fix it. There are many parts that will need inspecting and maintenance if this repair is to be worth it...

Yes !  If there is any chance you can't do this ,  for the love of all things that were good, hire it done