Kenmore Dryer: grinding noise

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Kenmore dryer is making a loud grinding noise during operation, it may indicate internal mechanical friction. This sound often arises from worn drum support rollers, bearings, or other components. Addressing this issue promptly can prevent further damage and enhance the dryer’s performance.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Kenmore Models

  • Kenmore dryer noisy guides specifically list drum support rollers, blower wheel, and drum belt as common noisy components.

Possible Causes

Worn drum support rollers and bearings

How to Identify: Grinding or rumbling sound when manually rotating the drum; drum may feel rough or resistant to turn.

Part: Drum support rollers and/or rear drum bearing

Foreign object in drum or blower

How to Identify: Intermittent grinding or scraping; object audible when inspecting drum edge or blower wheel area.

Part: Drum interior or blower wheel housing

Worn or damaged idler pulley

How to Identify: Grinding or scraping sound that may change with drum speed; idler pulley wheel feels stiff or rough when spun by hand.

Part: Idler pulley assembly

Worn drum glides/slides

How to Identify: Grinding or scraping noise originating near the front of drum; visible wear on felt/plastic glide pads.

Part: Drum glides (front slide pads)

Faulty blower wheel

How to Identify: Rumbling or vibration sounds often alongside grinding; blower wheel spins rough or has debris.

Part: Blower wheel/fan

DIY Solutions

Check for Foreign Objects in Drum

Easy 10-20 minutes
Tools Needed: flashlight, long-nose pliers
  1. Unplug the dryer.
  2. Open the drum and manually inspect the interior edges and perforations for foreign objects.
  3. Use pliers to remove any trapped items.
  4. Manually rotate the drum to see if the noise changes.
  5. Plug in and test the dryer.
⚠️ Safety First: Always unplug before inspecting.

Inspect and Replace Drum Rollers/Bearings

Moderate 1-2 hours
Tools Needed: screwdrivers, socket set, service manual for model-specific access
  1. Unplug the dryer and access internal drum by removing panels.
  2. Manually spin drum to confirm roughness or grinding.
  3. Remove worn rollers and bearings.
  4. Install new drum rollers and bearings according to model instructions.
  5. Reassemble panels and test performance.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure correct reassembly to avoid imbalance.

Inspect and Replace Idler Pulley

Moderate 1-1.5 hours
Tools Needed: screwdrivers, socket wrench
  1. Disconnect power.
  2. Access idler pulley by removing lower front or side panels.
  3. Spin pulley by hand to check for smooth rotation.
  4. Replace pulley if it’s stiff or noisy.
  5. Reassemble and test dryer.
  6. Verify belt tension after replacement.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure belt is correctly routed to avoid malfunction.

Inspect and Replace Drum Glides

Moderate 1-1.5 hours
Tools Needed: screwdriver, socket wrench
  1. Unplug dryer and remove front panel.
  2. Locate drum glides attached to drum lip.
  3. Remove worn glides and install new ones.
  4. Reassemble dryer and check drum rotation.
  5. Test run for noise.
⚠️ Safety First: Wear gloves to avoid sharp metal edges.

Professional Repairs

Blower Wheel Replacement or Cleaning

Estimated Cost: $80 - $200

Motor or Internal Drive System Repair

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400

When to Call a Professional

Grinding noise continues after basic DIY inspections
Motor or internal drive assemblies suspected
Blower wheel or motor assembly access is too complicated

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean lint filter before every cycle: Lint buildup contributing to debris entering blower wheel or interfering with rollers
    Frequency: each use
  • Inspect drum rollers and glides annually: Premature wear leading to grinding noises
    Frequency: annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Kenmore Dryer grinding noise?
Common causes include worn drum support rollers, bearings, or a faulty idler pulley.
How do I fix Kenmore Dryer grinding noise myself?
You can check for foreign objects, inspect rollers, or replace the idler pulley.
How much does it cost to fix grinding noise?
Professional repairs range from $80 to $400, depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for grinding noise?
If DIY fixes don't resolve the issue or if you're uncomfortable with repairs, call a technician.

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

75%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Worn drum rollers or bearings
  • Foreign object trapped in the drum
  • Worn drive belt

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Inspect and replace worn drum rollers or bearings. Unplug the dryer, remove the front panel, and check the rollers. If they are worn, replace them with new ones.

  2. Check for and remove any foreign objects. Unplug the dryer, remove the drum, and inspect for items like coins or fabric that may be causing the noise.

  3. Inspect and replace the drive belt if worn. Unplug the dryer, remove the front panel, and check the belt for fraying or wear. Replace if necessary.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Dryer crunching/grinding noise

Community Discussions

grinding/crunching noise

Spraying penetrating oil on the rear drum bearing reduces the noise temporarily.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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