The Virtual Repairman's Appliance Help

[skm1963]

I have a Kenmore dryer model 110.97573230 which is 14 years old. Haven't had any problems until the other day when I started a load and noticed a grinding/scratching noise. Pulled all the laundry out to check for foreign objects (found nothing), put everything back in, restarted it, got the same noise. Pulled everything out again, this time turned drum manually and got the same noise. Can something get behind the drum?? Haven't used the dryer since for fear it might start a fire or something. Checked again before writing to you, still makes the noise when I manually turn the drum. Any ideas?? Thanks for any help you might be able to provide.

[Virtual Repairman]

If it makes the same sound whether there is a load or not, then you must disassemble the dryer to see what got caught in there. I typically find small items in the front felt seal area after removing the front panel. Follow the instructions in the front of the dryer forum regarding how to open the Kenmore dryers.

If nothing significant is found in the front seal, remove the belt from the motor and twirl the motor pulley by hand, as it is attached to the blower fan in back. You can also turn the drum again at this pint to see if the drum rollers are making the noise, since the belt will take the motor/blower out of the picture. It is easy to eliminate what is working and what is noisy.

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[skm1963]

Thank you for your assistance. I didn't end up having to take the dryer apart. After you mentioned where to look, I investigated further and ended up finding just the head of a screw (must have come from my husband's pocket) sticking out of the front seal area. I managed to free it by turning the drum manually while keeping hold of it until enough was sticking out so it could be pulled out. The dryer seems to work alright now. The noise is gone now except a slight swishing sound as it turns. The screw was probably 3 inches long. Would there have been anything it could have damaged that needs to be looked at or do you thing everything is ok at this point? Once again, thank you for your advice.

[Virtual Repairman]

Hey that was easy! I doubt anything else was damaged or it would be hanging out, such as the front seal when it fails. It is pretty normal to hear a swishing sound as the drum turns due to the seam in the drum passing over the rear rollers. If it has been awhile since anything was done to the machine (5+ years), it would behoove you to do the routine maintenance on it by replacing the belt, idler pulley and both rear drum rollers. I carry just such a kit along with a free bottle of appliance oil with every order. If you think it is time, click below-

Dryer Tuneup Kits-

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