When I first start my dryer, it squels loudly for about a minute? It sounds like a bad belt or something.?

Question

It usually quiets down and the noise goes away after a minute or so.

What might be wrong?? Is there anything I can do myself, to keep it quiet like the old days???

Sorry, it should read: It squeals loudly...sounds like a bad belt or something.

Answer 1

Although everyone else suggests that it's a belt, I think it is a bearing. If you're lucky you can lubricate it before it goes totally and needs replacement.

Answer 2

It sounds like the belt and older dryers are worth repairing - a recommendation from fellow I know at a local appliance shop. Check M.C. answer above as well - it has some very good points

A belt is not hard to replace if you are a little handy. I would pop the front panel off before the belt breaks and take a look under the drum and you will see the belt which should be wraped around a few rollers and the motor pulley. Make a drawing before the belt breaks so you can make the repair later. The internet can provide instructions for many dryers but it is good to have a drawing just in case.

Dryers are very simple in construction. For most dryers, assembly and removal should be similar to the process below - however look carefully at each stage and really watch that the drum is supported at all times so it does not fall on you. Also watch for sharp metal edges inside the dryer that can easily cut your hands or arms.

Pop the front lower panel off and put some solid support under the drum, Then pop the top of the dryer up from the front edge - it should be hinged on the back. If you have a vent/filter on the top of the dryer, you will have to disconnect this first - look for screws aorund the filter opening.

Now look down the inside front panel - you should see screws near the top from the sides into the front. Undo these but watch the drum as it is only this front panel that keeps the drum in place. Make notes of assembly as you go along to make sure all goes back together the same way. You should be able to pull the front panel out now and lift out after it pulls away from the drum. If it does not pull out, you may have to loosen two screws at the base of the front panel - check this before pulling the front away from the drum.

After this is done, you now have access to the drum and are able to remove and install the new belt. Before removing the old one, check which side of the belt goes against the drum body and any other details.

Put everything back in reverse order. For a handyman, the whole thing might take 30 to 45 min so the average person without too many skills could tackle this in a few hours. Belts are usually no more than $15 to $25

P.S. When you pop the lower front panel off to check the belt, make sure nothing else is worn or damaged. Nothing worse than going through all this work only to repeat the process for another part.

Answer 3

Hi Jayne with a 'y.' Many of the observant answerers appear to be on the right track. Remember some of the older cars do this same thing and it usually is one of the belts. It's always convenient to assume a problem/remedy and address it accordingly. In a perfect world, this would be ideal.
However, what does one do when we find out that the problem was something else. Remember that there are many moving parts in a dryer. Particularly, bearings. There are roller guides for the drum that have bearings, which many times will fail before the belt does. Especially if more clothes, or heavier fabrics, were being dried than the recommended load. Many people aren't aware that overloads will shorten the life of the units parts. Yet, we still are determined to dry as many clothes as possible.
The tensioning arm in a dryer has a bearing in it, too. This part keeps the belt snug around the drum. The accumulated lint and debris collected in the interior of all dryers gets into these finely lubricated parts and sucks the life out of them. It's a mystery to me why the appliance industry doesn't do more to protect these parts. It wouldn't be hard to do. Except, the industry wouldn't need their technicians and parts and couldn't make more millions servicing these brilliantly designed money-makers, would they?
There's even a bearing on the motor shaft, several actually, if you include the armature.
You should have a service man or equivalent inspect the interior and first give it a thorough cleaning before any troubleshooting. Sometimes, while the unit is open, it's always wise to service everything. This will prevent the unit from failing again sooner, like the distributor hopes. Good Luck!

Answer 4

hey jayne, i just did mine today. is your dryer a whirlpool/kenmore brand? i think the kit i got is what's wrong with your dryer. it was only $30.00. it had the belt, idler pulley, and the 2 drum rollers, and a few clips. it has really good instructions and pictures to follow, and you only need screwdriver, 5/16 nut driver, and a putty knife. it took me just over an hour to change it over and vacuum the lint out of it. the squeal is gone!!! peace and quiet! you will need a helper or if you have three hands, you don't. nothing was real hard or heavy so you shouldn't have any trouble replacing any of the parts, i just needed a hand to hold the drum up while i put the front back on the dryer. you can get the kit at an appliance parts store, or sears, or one of the on line places. good luck and happy new year!!

Answer 5

The most likely problem is the idler and roller pulleys for the belt. Open the bottom inspection panel and see if you see a lot of dust and lint on the bearings for the pulleys. If so unplug the dryer and vacuum them clean. Then put oil on the bearings. That should make it be quiet again. If it does not you might need to replace those wheels because the bearings are worn-out.

Answer 6

Probably belt. But to use a llittle longer try cutting the load in half and see if it helps. Some dryers have adjustment on belt, unplug and look for inspection plate to access the adjustment. If not many of the belts go around the drum and are not easy to replace but if possible do it your self or find someone mechanically inclined to do the work for you as a shop will cost a bunch..

Answer 7

It does sound like the belt.. if you are handy with machinery you can probably look up the dryer on the internet and find some diagrams to help you locate where the belt is.. and replace it... or...

You may be able to use some belt dressing on the belt to rejuvinate the rubber (if it is an old dryer the belt might be cracked and dried out.. and SHOULD be replaced if cracked).. cheaper.. but if the belt breaks it can do some damage to your dryer.

Answer 8

in the center of the back of the dryer should be an inspection plate.
this should be about 5 in. by 5 in. use a 5/16' nut driver (this size is on a 6 in 1 screwdriver, $4, everyone should own one).
Open this plate and you will see belt, and belt tensioner, if clean use a little belt dressing on belt and a little mineral oil (not wd 40)on tensioner .

Answer 9

Without looking.. It is the belt.. If you had the model number of the dryer... and if(for example) it is a Sears product, then get a replacement belt... If you ask Sears to do it, they will charge you a million dollars or two.. that is why I do NOT like anything Sears... but you could do it yourself really.... Oh yes.. If it is NOT a Sears brand.. then get the brand.. serial number.. and go t the Internet and look it up on google.com.. If it is a MACON brand(just a name out of the hat) then plug in macon.com and something will come up without having to go to google.com... and look for their contact name/number and call them for the part and also they might also verify that it is actually the belt... If you ask Sears, however, they will charge you so try to stay away from sears if you can

Answer 10

There is a large, or should I say "long: belt that goes arounf the drum of the dryer. It may have dirt/lint in it, or it may need replacing. It is easy to do if you just look at it from the back after removing the access cover.

Answer 11

Sure sounds like the belt is slipping. Not much you can do for it other than ordering a service call to replace the belt, or just get a new dryer. I suspect it will only grow worse over time.