Kenmore Dryer making rattling noise (417.83142201)

[otterbyte]

Hi,

I have a * dryer that just developed a small rattle. What's odd is that the rattle doesn't start right away; it kicks in 30 seconds after I start the dryer. I lifted the top and popped off the back grille so I could see it in action, and I don't see anything obviously amiss. The pulleys all seem to be turning smoothly. There's a hot metal smell (and it's heating and blowing out air), but no burning smell, so that seems normal, too. I took a short video. You can hear the bit where the sound changes from the normal operating noise to the rattle.

  Video with the rattle starting about 5 seconds in.

Any idea what could be causing this? I've been keeping this machine going for many years, but it keeps plugging along with different bits getting replaced over time. Is it time for a new idler pulley or rollers? It's weird, though, that the sound doesn't start right away. Whether the dryer is cold or already warm, it starts 30 seconds after I turn on the drying cycle.

Thanks,

Erika

[Vance R]

Have you lube the rear bearing recently?

[16345Ed]

Make sure blower wheel is snug and not cracked. 

[otterbyte]

I will check both those things, thank you!

[otterbyte]

After much disassembling and testing, it appears that the bracket for the drum bearing support cup was a bit loose. I cleaned everything out, put in new lubricant, and now it's running even more quietly than before. Thanks for the guidance.

[16345Ed]

9 hours ago, otterbyte said:

After much disassembling and testing, it appears that the bracket for the drum bearing support cup was a bit loose. I cleaned everything out, put in new lubricant, and now it's running even more quietly than before. Thanks for the guidance.

Don’t be surprised if it comes back. If so replace bearing assembly. 

[otterbyte]

On 9/4/2020 at 6:26 AM, 16345Ed said:

Don’t be surprised if it comes back. If so replace bearing assembly. 

Makes sense - I can see how this would be a point of failure. Thank you!