Kenmore Dryer: damaging clothes

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Are your clothes coming out of your Kenmore dryer with tears, holes, or snags? This frustrating issue often stems from internal mechanical problems, such as misaligned drum assemblies or worn support rollers that can catch on fabric. Identifying and addressing these issues promptly can save your clothes from further damage.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Kenmore Models

Kenmore dryers share common parts like drum support rollers, drum assemblies, and glides which are known points to inspect for clothing damage.

Possible Causes

Damaged or misaligned dryer drum assembly

How to Identify: Inspect inside the drum with a flashlight and run a cloth or hand around the surface; rough spots, cracks or sharp edges can tear fabric as it tumbles.

Part: Dryer drum

Worn drum support rollers or axles causing sagging and pinch points

How to Identify: Listen for rumbling or irregular motion; manually spin drumâ€”if it doesnâ€™t rotate freely or sags, rollers are worn causing gaps where clothes can catch.

Part: Drum support rollers and axles

Worn or missing drum glides leading to drum drop and pinch points

How to Identify: Drum rubs or drags during rotation; gap appears at bottom of drum; clothes snag in that gap.

Part: Drum glides (slide pads)

Worn or missing drum support bearing

How to Identify: Drum misalignment, noise during spin, uneven rotation; clothes rubbing at front edge.

Part: Drum support bearing

Broken or misaligned lint filter cover with sharp edges

How to Identify: Inspect the lint filter area for cracks or sharp plastic edges protruding that could catch fabric.

Part: Lint filter cover

Worn or torn dryer drum seals allowing clothes to get stuck between drum and housing

How to Identify: Clothes catching at drum edge; seal material missing or degraded on inspection around drum edges.

Part: Drum seals (felt or rubber seal)

DIY Solutions

Inspect drum surface for sharp edges or damage

Easy 10-20 minutes

Tools Needed: Flashlight

Unplug and disconnect the dryer.
Open the dryer door and inspect inside the drum with a flashlight.
Run a soft cloth or gloved hand around the drum surface to feel for rough spots or sharp edges.
If minor burrs are found, you may smooth them carefully with fine sandpaper (only if safe to do so and no structural damage).

⚠️ Safety First: Always disconnect power before working inside dryer.

Check and replace drum glides or slide pads

Moderate 45-90 minutes

Tools Needed: Screwdriver set, Socket wrench set

Unplug dryer and pull away from wall.
Remove access panels to expose dryer drum.
Slide out the drum to access front glides.
Inspect glides for wear and replace all worn glide pads.
Reassemble dryer and test with a small load.

⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is off; label screws for reassembly.

Inspect and replace drum support rollers

Advanced 1-2 hours

Tools Needed: Screwdrivers, Nut drivers, Socket set

Disconnect power and access the dryerâ€™s interior panels.
Remove drive belt and lift drum to reach support rollers.
Inspect and replace worn rollers and axles.
Reassemble, check drum movement, and run a test cycle.

⚠️ Safety First: Requires careful handling of heavy drum.

Professional Repairs

Replace damaged dryer drum assembly

Estimated Cost: $150 - $350

Replace drum support bearing and related components

Estimated Cost: $100 - $250

When to Call a Professional

If the drum surface has deep damage or cracks

If the issue persists after replacing glides and rollers

If you are uncomfortable disassembling the dryer

Preventive Maintenance

Regularly inspect drum and glides for wear: Prevents clothes snagging due to worn internal parts
Frequency: every 6 months
Clean lint filter and exhaust duct: Improves airflow and reduces overheating and wear on drum supports
Frequency: after every load filter clean and annual duct clean

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Kenmore Dryer damaging clothes?

Common causes include a damaged dryer drum assembly, worn drum support rollers, or misaligned lint filter covers.

How do I fix Kenmore Dryer damaging clothes myself?

Inspect the drum for sharp edges, check and replace drum glides, or inspect and replace worn drum support rollers.

How much does it cost to fix damaging clothes?

Professional repairs can range from $150 to $350 for drum assembly replacement and $100 to $250 for support bearing replacement.

When should I call a technician for damaging clothes?

If DIY inspections reveal significant damage or if you are unable to resolve the issue, it's best to call a technician.

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

80%

DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

Excessive lint buildup in the lint trap or exhaust vent, causing overheating and fabric damage.
Incorrect dryer settings or using high heat for delicate fabrics, leading to shrinkage or burns.
Worn or damaged drum rollers or bearings causing friction against clothes.

User Suggested Solutions

Clean the lint trap and exhaust vent thoroughly. Start by removing the lint trap and cleaning it with a brush. Next, disconnect the exhaust vent from the back of the dryer and use a vacuum or brush to remove any lint buildup inside the vent.
Adjust dryer settings to match fabric types. Use lower heat settings for delicate items and ensure the load is not overloaded to prevent fabric damage.
Inspect and replace worn drum rollers or bearings. Unplug the dryer, remove the front panel, and check the drum rollers for wear. Replace them if necessary, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

Kenmore Dryer vent grill causing damage to clothes

Community Discussions

causing damage to clothes when drying

Clean the vent and disassemble the exhaust vent in the dryer to remove lint buildup.