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hollylovesbrandon · Sep 30, 2009, 08:22 AM

OK I asked this once and someone asked me what kind of dryer I had and I had NO CLUE. I figured out that it's a GE. It has a VERY loud, PIERCING, squeaking noise. Like, we can't even watch t.v. unless we close the door. My roommate ordered a part and took the whole thing apart and replaced something on the back of the drum. I can't remember the name of what he replaced but it was on the back of the drum. We put it back together and still the same thing. Except now, it will just shut off every like 20 minutes. It's not getting too hot though. We cleaned out all the lent and everything. The heating element looked fine. What could possibly be the problem? I really don't have the money to buy a new dryer. Can anyone help?

KISS · Sep 30, 2009, 08:35 AM

There are not too many places that make squeaks. The bearing is one of them. Moving the drum by hand (in the direction it's supposed to turn may reveal some information).

The idler or the motor bearings are other possibilities.

There is usually a belt and a fan. This would probably be a high frequency squeak. It can also cause the dryer to shut off prematurely.

Binding of a mechanical part can also cause it.

You really need to spin the rotating stuff by hand and not under load. e.g. rotate motor, idler and drum with belt disconnected.

hollylovesbrandon · Sep 30, 2009, 08:37 AM

Can you walk me through these things? I don't know how to do any of this stuff.

KISS · Sep 30, 2009, 08:53 AM

Do you have a model number of the dryer? I'd like to find a exploded diagram online.

For instance, your friend took the dryer apart. Usually there is an idler for the belt next to the motor and you have to pay good attention to how it's installed.

One the belt is removd from the idler. You try torotate the motor and the idler by hand. There should be no friction that you can feel. Cleaning and lubercating is usually all that's required. If it's the idler, a white lithium grease can be used.

If it's the motor bearings, then WD-40 can be used to clen the races. Those bearings are usually sleave bearings andgetting libercation there can be tough.

You can also disconnect the belt and turn the dryer on and see if the squeak persists. If it does it is probably the blower. Again removing the lint and using WD-40 to get it rotation again may be all that's required. Those bearings may be oilite.

Grease tends to collect dirt, but in some ares it's necessary.

The nameplate could be anywhere. The back. And just under the door are good locations.

The bearigs on the blower