There is something in my dryer that needs to be oiled?

Question

My dryer is making this god awful noise like something needs some WD-40 but I'm not sure. Can I just take off the back and squirt it on there? HELP!!! Laundry sucks as it is let alone with the high pitched squeeking.

Answer 1

Your dryer has a motor and a rotating drum. Your description does make it sound like something could use lubrication but it's hard to say which. If it was my dryer, I'd lubricate both. However, I would not use WD-40, as it is too lightweight and will evaporate with the heat in a dryer. I recommend a 5-10 weight machine oil, such as 3-in-1 oil. A hardware store or Home Depot will carry it and it is cheap.

Unplug the dryer and take the back off. The motor will be connected to the drum by a large rubber belt. Locate the bearing/mount for the drum and try to work some of the oil into it. After squirting the oil into the bearing, rotate the drum and wiggle it side-to-side to work the oil in. Do the same for the shaft of the motor. Keep in mind that the motor's shaft has a bearing at the front and back of the motor, so lubricate it in both places. Rotate the shaft and try to wiggle it back and forth to work the oil in. The best way is to disassemble the motor, then clean and relubricate the bearings -- but that may be more technical than you're willing to try.

When you're inside the dryer, clean it out. There is probably a lot of lint and dust in there, so clean it out. Check the belt for cracks and replace it if it has more than a couple of cracks.

With some maintenance, you could easily get another 10 years of operation from your dryer.

Answer 2

Spraying a flammable substance into an electrical appliance that has a big exposed heating element? Sounds easy, does it sound dangerous? You bet. Unplug the dryer! At the FRONT of your dryer at the bottom are two phillips head screws, remove them, at the top place a flat head screwdriver between the side panel and the top and pop the panels apart (small clip) now the whole front panel will come off, Remove the door switch from the retainer, set the front panel w/ door aside. Now you can see into the whole works. On the bottom you will see a little pulley that the belt is going around and the motor. The pulley is what will interest you. Clean out all of the lint that has built up over time. (soaked with WD-40 this is a Molotov cocktail) now there is quite a bit of tension on the pulley it is on a flat spring. bend it towards the drum, so that you can take the belt off, remove the two screws, or bolts holding it to the tub and remove the entire assembly. take it outside, clean the lint off of it, and spray it down with a lubricant, WD-40 if you wish. turn it a few times, And just reassemble in the reverse order. While you are putting it all back together take a look in the back of the drum, you will see a big spring that winds all the way around, that is the heating element, when the dryer is hot, that spring glows red. Now you know why I said don't spray blindly. It sounds like a lot of work but it should only take an hour. Good Luck.

Answer 3

A dryer is definately a large mechanical unit that has potential to require WD-40.

Unfortunately, this is a big case of not-enough-information.

There should be a door or a plate or something on the back lower right side of the dryer which leads into a ton of haedly identifiable equipment, and you can spray a whole can up there, and it probably won't help at all. If you hate it, and you should, and it probably isn't good even if you enjoy the noise, which you don't-

What I'm saying is that you need to call somebody to look at it. I can't give you any definite answers based on just that it's squeaking. Heck, maybe there's just something blocking the airflow.

Answer 4

I had this problem myself. If it is not the belt squealing it could be the bearing that the drum rotates on. It will be at the back of the unit at the exact center of the drum. Use lubricating oil, not WD40, as it will last longer. This is only a temporary fix though. Ultimately the bearing will need to be replaced or you will need to buy a new dryer.

Answer 5

It sounds like the two drum rollers in the back are either dry or worn out .you have to pull of the front completely .look in the back by the top off the drum and you will see two wheels at about 10 o clock and at about 2 o clock those need to be either replaced or try to oiled .they only cost 10.00 a piece.so i would replace them

Answer 6

Is it old? Could be a G.E/Hotpoint drum bearing is worn out and needs replacement. You do not give enough information to go on about make/model. You propably need a serviceman to check it out---or get another one, Sorry===========.

Answer 7

If this is a kenmore or whirlpool, I would replace the belt tension pulley and whil;e your at it the belt also. These parts will cost about thirty dollars.

Answer 8

the problem you might have is a lose belt, and it is rubbing on the drum as it goes around. the belt could be old, stretched out and needs replaced. same thing happened to me.