How to Fix a Dryer Making Grinding Noises

If your dryer is making a grinding noise, it’s not something you should ignore as it will likely lead to bigger issues with your machine and potentially more expensive repairs down the road. The cause of the noise is often a worn component that needs replacing or a foreign object somewhere it shouldn’t be, potentially causing damage.

This article will run through the most likely causes of a grinding noise from a dryer and show you step-by-step how to fix it. Keep in mind that fixing the grinding noise usually involves taking apart your appliance and replacing components. Therefore, some DIY skills are needed, as well as the following tools:

• Screwdrivers
• Pliers
• Socket wrench

Fixing a dryer making a grinding noise

Here are the most common causes of a grinding sound and how to fix them:

Foreign objects inside your dryer

Keys, coins, screws, buttons, and other metal or hard objects can sometimes make their way into your dryer, getting trapped where they shouldn’t be and rubbing against moving components. The most common places they get caught include:

• In the holes or perforations of the drum
• Along the inside edge of the drum near the door frame
• Between the drum and the dryer cabinet
• In the blower wheel

You’ll want to check all of these areas to rule out a foreign object as the cause. The easiest place to start is to check the perforations and the inside edge of the drum. Here’s how:

1. Open the dryer door and manually rotate the drum using the baffles.
2. Listen for a grinding noise. If you cannot hear it, a foreign object caught in the drum is unlikely to be the cause.
3. If you can hear the noise, try to pinpoint exactly where the sound is coming from.
4. Check any holes and perforations in the dryer drum.
5. Inspect all the way around the inside edge of the drum near the door opening.
6. Remove any trapped items you find. You may need to use pliers to help you remove them.

If you don’t find anything, move on to check the outside of the drum and the blower wheel. This will require you to remove some panels. Here’s how:

1. Make sure the dryer is unplugged.
2. Remove the top, back, or front panels to access the drum and blower wheel. Which panels you need to remove will depend on your dryer model.
3. Locate the blower wheel. It’s usually near the bottom of the dryer, close to the motor.
4. Unscrew the screws securing the blower housing to access the blower wheel inside.
5. Check if there is any debris or objects caught in the blower wheel, or if it is damaged. Then, manually turn it by hand to see if it spins freely or makes a grinding noise.
6. Clean the blower wheel if it is dirty or replace it if it’s damaged.
7. When you’re satisfied with the blower wheel’s condition, check all around the outside of the dryer drum. Look for areas where objects could get caught between the drum and cabinet, examining from different angles at the top, front, and back of the appliance. Use a flashlight to help if needed.
8. Remove any foreign objects in the cabinet. If dirty, clean it with a brush and then vacuum.

Worn drum glides

The drum glides support the front of the dryer drum, helping it to spin smoothly, and are typically made of durable plastic. Most dryers have either two or four drum glides, located on a lip on the inside of the front panel where the drum sits.

Due to normal wear and tear or frequent overly heavy loads, the drum glides can wear down to the point that the drum starts to scrape against the dryer casing when it turns.

Even if only one drum glide wears out, it’s best to replace the entire set. Otherwise, it could throw your machine’s components out of balance, leading to other problems. Thankfully, replacing the glides is fairly easy and inexpensive. Here’s how you do it:

1. Make sure the dryer is unplugged.
2. Remove the front panel and any other panels you need to access the drum glides.
3. Inspect whether they look worn. This will typically be evident as thinning, grooves, or scoring. Replace the entire set if any are worn.
4. Drum glides typically clip or screw on and off very easily. So simply remove the old glides and install the new one in the same position.

Worn rear drum bearing

The rear drum bearing supports the drum and enables it to spin smoothly. It’s located between the back of the drum and the dryer casing. The rear drum bearing may gradually wear out over time through normal use or more quickly due to consistently overloading the dryer. When worn, it can cause a grinding noise as the drum rubs against the casing.

A telltale sign is if the dryer initially squeaks and then progresses into a grinding sound over time. Inspecting and replacing the rear drum bearing will require you to disassemble the machine extensively. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Ensure the dryer is unplugged.
2. Depending on your dryer model, remove the top, back, or front panels to access the drive belt and drum.
3. Release the tension on the drive belt using the idler pulley, then remove the belt.
4. Lift out the drum to access the rear drum bearing assembly attached to the drum and the rear panel of the dryer cabinet. Your dryer may have either a ball bearing, ball and socket, or sleeve bearing assembly.
5. Inspect all parts of the rear drum bearing assembly for wear and damage, such as grooves, flattening, cracks, scoring, and thinning.
6. If damaged, replace the entire rear drum bearing assembly, which is typically secured with screws or bolts.

Final considerations

Above are the three most likely causes of a grinding sound coming from your dryer. However, if after examining these the issue still isn’t resolved, there are some other components worth checking, including the drum rollers, idler pulley, and drum belt.

You can check the belt is fitted properly and that the drum rollers and idler pulley are spinning freely. Also, check them for signs of damage and wear or lint and debris buildup. If these steps don’t solve the problem, it would be advisable to call in a professional to help you diagnose and fix the issue, as a grinding sound is not a problem you should ignore.