This Could Be Why Your Dryer Is Squeaking (And The Best Way To Fix It)

Home appliances are pretty expensive, which is why any sign of wear-and-tear is understandably met with distraught. When handling large machines such as your dryer, you must understand that even if you use them as intended, things can still go wrong. That annoying squeak your dryer makes every time it's being used probably drives you nuts, especially when you can't pinpoint what's wrong. This irritating sound is common and may be due to a malfunctioning rear drum bearing. As the dryer performs its solemn duty by rotating the tumbler, the bearings move around and can end up squeaking from the impact over time. This has two possible solutions: proper lubrication or, if they're too far damaged, a complete replacement.

Rear drum bearings are metal tools that sometimes look like mini wheels, though they can come in different shapes. They are located at the back of the dryer and facilitate the rotation so the dryer can tumble smoothly. If you want to go the way of lubrication, you must ensure the product is thick enough. Another problem would be reaching the bearing. Each appliance model has its procedure for accessing the drum bearing and applying external lubrication. Refer to your dryer manual for guidance on how to do this and what type of lubrication works best. In some cases, more product won't be enough and you'll have to change the whole bearing. Typically, replacing the piece entirely is best anyways, as you won't have to deal with messy liquids.

Replacing your dryer's drum bearing is typically an electrical project best left to a professional who knows what they're doing. Since original dryers often come with pre-lubricated bearings which eventually dry out due to heat from the dryer, it makes sense for you to replace them with something of the same nature. Self-lubricating bearings are a great choice for a bearing replacement because you don't have to choose which type of lubrication to purchase and risk getting the wrong one. Using grease is also out of the question because it can eventually harden and lead you back to square one. If you can't get your hands on some self-lubricating rear drum bearings, you could purchase replacements from your dryer manufacturer.

If you want to undertake the mission of replacing or lubricating the bearing yourself, you'll need to access and remove the dryer drum. Make sure the power source is fully disabled first, whether it's a gas or electric dryer. Take out the lint screen housing by removing the screws, then pop open the top panel of the dryer using a putty knife. You will need to detach the front panel of the dryer along with the wire harness plug that locks it as well to reveal the drum. Reach in and gently lift the belt off of the motor pulley to bring out the drum. Now, you can access your specific model's rear drum bearing to lubricate or replace it.