GE DRSR483 very noisy. Is it worth fixing.

[Tollerowner]

I am not sure of the exact model number as I can't find a name plate, but I have the user manual and the controls look like the DRSR483 or 4 similar numbers.  It is 16 years old, but lightly used.  Gas.

My wife told me it started making a clunking noise when it first started and then it made clunking noises when running.  It had a load of towels. I took half out and it didn't clunk when running, but she tells me the whole load isn't really all that big.  It clunks when starting even empty, and is still noisy.  

The problem is that it is 27" wide and 28" inches deep.  The only ones I can find that size are really expensive and it would be hard to to free up more space.  If necessary, I could cut 2" off the utility sink counter and slide the washing machine over 2", but the wife wasn't happy about that when I suggested it; though I think it is better than getting a 27" dryer.

So...  I would like to fix it, if that makes any sense for a 16 year old machine.  It actually works properly now, but given the noise it is making, I doubt it will stay that way for very long.  Knowing nothing about dryers, I presume some gears are on their last legs.

Advice?

 

 

[vee8power]

27 inches is a common size for dryers but the one you have may be fixable depending upon what the noise is.

If you're going to DIY it, take it apart and look; it may just need  a front bearing kit, or maybe just a button in the felt.

[Quick]

If you're wanting to repair it yourself chances are it's worth repairing given your curcumstances. There's how to videos on line somewhere for this I think. You would just need to look around. If you want to go with the model number you posted I would suggest start with Marcone.com. Enter your model number and examine the parts break down sections.

I would suggest a little exploratory surgery first. Remove the drum.

Examine the front bearing Part number: WE3M26

http://www.appliancepartspros.com/ShowPartImage.aspx?forumimg=WE3M26E

Examine Part number: WE1M1067 May be more than one. Check it out these slide are mounted on the front bearing above.

http://www.appliancepartspros.com/ShowPartImage.aspx?forumimg=WE1M1067

Examine Part number: WE1M462 This is located at the center back side of the drum. Worse comes to worse look at the break down you can get what you need if worn down really bad. Common sense. Look at it.

Look at the belt for cracks. Hell just replace it. Lubracate or eplace Belt Idler? Find you one on Amazon. Take any of these parts and with the part number you found on Marcone go Amazon shopping. 

Now if I was a betting man I'd think there's a bolt and plates that hold the blower wheel to the motor shaft has come loose. Have a close look at that.  

Part number: WE16M15

http://www.appliancepartspros.com/ShowPartImage.aspx?forumimg=WE16M15

 

http://www.appliancepartspros.com/ShowPartImage.aspx?forumimg=WE1M462

Edited September 26, 2022 by Quick

[vee8power]

https://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Maintenance-Kit/WE49X20697/3319945

This here has a lit of parts for  a good price.

[Terry Carmen]

You can DIY it for a reasonable price as long as it hasn't gone too far.

If it needs a front and/or rear bearing, it's not too expensive, however if the drum is damaged, it's time for a new dryer.

You'll need to take it apart to see what's actually wrong with it.

 

 

[Tollerowner]

It turned out to be a rear bearing assembly and some plastic pads on the front.  $85 for the service call, $140 for parts and $80 to install them when the parts come in.
Seeing what they did to get the drum out and back in...  I doubt I could have done that even if I could have identified the bad part.  So it is roughly half of a new dryer, but they assured me it had another 10 years of life in it.

[Vance R]

If you replace the front glides before they are worn out it may go longer