Dryer making a racket


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Old 11-26-15, 10:00 AM
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Dryer making a racket

Please forgive me guessing at the correct terms

I've got an old GE electric dryer. Circa 1983. I might have replaced a belt on it, but if I did it was a long time ago and I no longer have the manual. I have no idea where to even start to take it apart. Maybe I had more ambition back then.

Yesterday while I was drying clothes it started to make a heckuva racket. The clothes were dry, so I took them out and grabbed the tumbler (?) and spun it by hand. The noise occurs every time one of the shelves (?), the part that grabs at the clothing, reaches bottom dead center. Everything seems tight though. There isn't any play in the tumbler.

Now I do have a spare washer and dryer. When my folks moved ten years ago they gave me their old ones, which were just about new. They've been sitting in my basement for just such a time, but I hate to hook up the spare if it's something simple. If something could have gotten into the bottom of the dryer and I just can't figure out how to check it.

But maybe it's time to hook up the new one and call it a day for my old one. It's served me well...

Any suggestions?
 
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Old 11-26-15, 10:21 AM
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I have a stackable in my weekend rental cabin and it makes a similar noise. It happens to be a coin that made its way behind the main tub. Somewhat annoying, but fixable..........someday. I agree, with a dryer that old it may need a memorial service and replacement.
 
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Old 11-26-15, 10:25 AM
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Ahh, a coin. I hadn't thought of that.
I wonder if I can pull the dryer out and tip it, get it to go somewhere else (if it's moveable).

Thanks. I'm going to give that a try.
And if it's just the noise I suppose I can use it until whatever is rubbing either wears out or wears a hole in it.
 
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Old 11-26-15, 10:26 AM
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heckuva racket
Doesn't really tell us much. Is it a squealing noise, a banging noise, a scraping noise ?

You could have a belt or idler problem.
A model number would be helpful.
 
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Old 11-26-15, 10:31 AM
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Sorry. It's like a loud scraping noise. Louder when the dryer is on than when moving by hand.
I'll go down and tip it. I'm guessing the model number is probably on the back anyway.
 
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Old 11-26-15, 10:38 AM
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Yes, like a loud, multi-pitched scraping/whirring kind of noise. Tipping it did not dislodge anything, nor make it worse.

Model # is DDE 8108VJLWH
 
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Old 11-26-15, 04:06 PM
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Without taking apart hard to tell what noise is. On later GE I would know already as they have a problem with front bearings,With dryer that old am having a hard time remembering how it comes apart.
 
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Old 11-26-15, 04:20 PM
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Thanks.

Can anyone tell me if the scraping could actually cause a problem from a safety aspect?
 
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Old 11-27-15, 03:53 AM
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Depending on what it is usually the drum will quit turning, as to dangerous can't say. Need to know what is causing noise. What kind of dryer in basement?
 
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Old 11-27-15, 05:20 AM
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I don't run the dryer when I'm not home, so I'll know if it stops turning.
The spare you mean? Not sure without looking.
 
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Old 11-27-15, 10:17 AM
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Just went to a couple of sites for your dryer to look up parts and several not available.
 
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Old 11-28-15, 03:53 AM
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Thanks. I appreciate that.
 
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Old 11-28-15, 11:19 AM
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Here's the exploded view of your unit. Part 508 is the bearing kit. The picture of the bearing kit is not a complete kit.
DRUM AND DUCT ASSEMBLY Diagram & Parts List for Model DDE8108VJL GE- SearsPartsDirect

A better bearing kit.... GE Dryer Drum Bearing WE25X205 - Repair Clinic
 
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Old 11-29-15, 03:08 PM
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Thanks, PJ....................
 
 

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