We have a Samsung DV4006 model dryer approximately 4 years old. It has been making a high-pitched grinding noise which is progressively getting worse... sqeals a bit on occasion as well. My husband took it apart tonight and we tried to find the problem, but could not get under or behind the drum and are not sure how to take it out. I read a thread on here about bad bearings etc. but we need some advice on all of it.

If anyone can help, we would be very grateful.

You have to do a little research here.

To check what is going on in your dryer :

Remove the rear panel, and have a look as to what is going on.
Check the drive belt : is it frayed?
Is the drum running against something?
Does anything look lose or broken?

Please be careful : do not touch anything while the dryer is connected to the power.

If you can not find anything, remove the power - take the power cable out of the socket and put it on to the ground.
Note down how the belt is connecting the drum and motor.
Remove the belt (by taking away the tension from the belt this is easy).
Spin the (empty) drum a couple of times by hand, as fast as possible. Is it running freely?
Spin the motor a couple of times by hand, as fast as possible. Is it running freely?

This procedure will allow you to research what is the problem in your machine.
If everything seems fine your problem may be related to either the drum bearing or the teflon "gliders" between the drum and the door window.

Of course you can also come back to the board and discuss your findings!

Success !

:)

The first thing we did was unplug it, before pulling it out! :-)

We took the small back panel off, as well as the top and all of the front panels. When we spin the drum manually it makes the same sound, just lighter... I think it is something to do with the drum myself, but haven't had much experience as this is the first dryer that we have actually owned.

As I mentioned previously, we cannot see anything under or behind the drum really, so we are having trouble even finding the motor etc. The belt that is on the drum seems to be in very good condition.