April 20, 2023

Dryer: Why is my dryer making a rattling noise?

The dryer making rattling noise while tumbling often means that a hard object is clanging around inside the drum — the zipper on a sweatshirt, change left in a pocket, your phone.

If the contents of the drum check out okay, a bad drum support roller could be causing a thumping noise. A damaged idler pulley, idler pulley bracket or idler pulley tension spring could also cause a loud noise such as banging or squealing. If you hear the dryer making a loud rattling noise while tumbling, check the blower fan blade. A scraping noise can indicate damage to the drum glide bearing or felt drum seal. Suspect the drive motor if you hear a buzzing or whining noise while the dryer runs.

dryer

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR DRYER PROBLEM

JC-DRY-Replace-the-dryer-blower-fan-blade

Replace the dryer blower fan blade

The blower fan blade is attached to the drive motor shaft. When the blower fan blade spins, it circulates air through the dryer. If the blower fan blade is damaged, it usually rattles or bangs. If the blower fan blade is broken or damaged, replace it.

Dryer blower fan blade

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-DRY-Replace-Dryer-Blower-Wheel-Intro-Image
August 01, 2014

How to replace a dryer blower wheel

If your dryer rattles or there's no airflow in it, the dryer blower wheel might be broken. This DIY repair guide and video show how to easily replace a dryer blower wheel.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less
JC-DRY-Replace-or-repair-the-dryer-drum-support-rollers

Repair or replace the dryer drum support rollers

If the drum sags or doesn't rotate smoothly, check the drum support rollers. You can sometimes repair the drum support rollers by adjusting the shaft or the fasteners. If the rollers are damaged, replace them.

Repair or replace the dryer drum support rollers

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-DRY-Replace-Dryer-Drum-Support-Roller-Intro-Image
August 01, 2014

How to replace a dryer drum support roller

If your dryer thumps, scrapes or squeals, the problem could be a worn or broken drum support roller. This DIY repair guide and video explain how to easily replace the dryer drum support roller.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 90 minutes or less
JC-DRY-Replace-the-dryer-idler-pulley

Replace the dryer idler pulley

The idler pulley keeps tension on the drive belt, creating the small amount of friction necessary for the belt to grip the motor and the drum. If the idler pulley squeaks or is damaged, replace it. Lubricating a squeaking motor pulley isn't recommended because the lubricant attracts lint.

Dryer idler pulley

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-DRY-Replace-Dryer-Idler-Pulley-Intro-Image
August 01, 2014

How to replace a dryer idler pulley

If your dryer squeals or squeaks, it's likely the idler pulley is worn. This repair guide and video have step-by-step instructions on how to replace the dryer idler pulley.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 90 minutes or less
JC-DRY-Replace-the-dryer-drum-glide-bearing

Replace the dryer drum glide bearing

The drum glide bearing is a plastic bearing on the front of the dryer drum. It allows the front of the drum to glide smoothly on the felt seal of the front panel when the drum is rotating. If the plastic bearing is worn out or broken, replace it.

Dryer drum glide bearing

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-DRY-Replace-Dryer-Drum-Glide-Bearing-Intro-Image
August 01, 2014

How to replace a dryer drum glide bearing

If your dryer makes a scraping noise when the drum turns, it's possibly due to a worn drum glide bearing. This step-by-step repair guide and video show how to easily replace the dryer drum glide bearing.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less
JC-DRY-Replace-the-dryer-idler-pulley-bracket

Replace the dryer idler pulley bracket

The idler pulley connects to the base of the dryer drive motor. To determine if the idler pulley bracket needs replacement, unplug the dryer and then open the cabinet to examine the idler pulley bracket. If the idler pulley bracket is damaged, replace it.

Dryer idler pulley bracket

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-DRY-Replace-Dryer-Idler-Pulley-Intro-Image
August 01, 2014

How to replace a dryer idler pulley

If your dryer squeals or squeaks, it's likely the idler pulley is worn. This repair guide and video have step-by-step instructions on how to replace the dryer idler pulley.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 90 minutes or less
JC-DRY-Replace-the-dryer-idler-pulley-tension-spring

Replace the dryer idler pulley tension spring

The idler pulley tension spring fits onto the arm of the idler pulley and keeps tension in the drive belt that rotates the dryer drum. To determine if the spring is broken and requires replacement, unplug the dryer and then open the cabinet to examine the idler pulley tension spring.

Dryer idler pulley tension spring

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-DRY-Replace-Dryer-Idler-Pulley-Intro-Image
August 01, 2014

How to replace a dryer idler pulley

If your dryer squeals or squeaks, it's likely the idler pulley is worn. This repair guide and video have step-by-step instructions on how to replace the dryer idler pulley.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 90 minutes or less
JC-DRY-Replace-or-repair-the-dryer-drive-motor

Replace or repair the dryer drive motor

The drive motor rotates the motor shaft, which in turn rotates the idler pulley, which rotates the drive belt that's wrapped around the dryer drum. The motion of these components causes the drum to rotate during the cycle. The drive motor also rotates the blower fan blade on most dryers.

A failing drive motor may shut off in the middle of a cycle. Some dryers will restart automatically when the motor cools, but others require that you restart them. Replace the drive motor if it overheats.

The wire harness connections on the motor can be repaired, but the internal components on the motor cannot. If the drive motor doesn't run when voltage is applied to it, replace the drive motor.

Replace or repair the dryer drive motor

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-DRY-Replace-Dryer-Drive-Motor-Intro-Image
August 01, 2014

How to replace a dryer drive motor

If your dryer's drum won't turn, the problem could be the drive motor . This step-by-step repair guide and video show how to replace a dryer drive motor.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 90 minutes or less
JC-DRY-Replace-the-dryer-felt-drum-seal

Replace the dryer felt drum seal

A felt seal around the front and the back of the dryer drum prevents warmed air from escaping while allowing the drum to glide smoothly across the contact surfaces on the rear bulkhead panel and the front panel in the dryer. You can physically inspect the seal from inside the dryer drum by unplugging the dryer and lifting the top panel to examine the felt seal more closely. If the felt seal is damaged, replace it.

Dryer felt drum seal

Find the required part specific to your product.

Most common symptoms to help you fix your dryers

Choose a symptom to see related dryer repairs.

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Main causes: bad gas valve coils, broken heating element, tripped safety thermostat or fuse, bad operating thermostat, c…

Main causes: bad drum support roller, damaged idler pulley, broken blower fan blade, worn drum glide bearing, bad drive …

Main causes: clogged exhaust vent, bad motor relay, loose dryer door catch, bad door switch, control system failure, fau…

Most common repair guides to help fix your dryers

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your dryer.

How to replace a flame sensor in a gas dryer

How to replace a flame sensor in a gas dryer

If your gas dryer won't heat, a broken flame sensor is one possible cause. This guide and video explain how to replace a…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a thermal fuse in an electric dryer

How to replace a thermal fuse in an electric dryer

When the air in the dryer overheats—usually because the vent is clogged—the thermal fuse blows, stopping the dryer. You …

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a dryer door switch

How to replace a dryer door switch

The dryer won't start if the door switch isn't working correctly. You can install a replacement dryer door switch in les…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

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Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your dryer.

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