Drum Bearing for Dryer: The Ultimate Guide

The drum bearing is a critical part of your clothes dryer that allows the drum to rotate smoothly and efficiently. Without a properly functioning bearing, the dryer would not be able to dry your clothes properly, and it could even lead to damage to the appliance.

Types of Drum Bearings

There are three main types of drum bearings used in dryers:

• Ball bearings are the most common type of bearing used in dryers. They consist of a series of spherical balls that are held in a cage. Ball bearings are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace.
• Roller bearings are a type of bearing that uses cylindrical rollers instead of balls. Roller bearings are more durable than ball bearings and can handle heavier loads. However, they are also more expensive and difficult to replace.
• Needle bearings are a type of bearing that uses small, thin needles instead of balls or rollers. Needle bearings are used in applications where space is limited.

How to Choose the Right Drum Bearing

When choosing a drum bearing for your dryer, it is important to consider the following factors:

• The size of your dryer: The size of your dryer will determine the size of the bearing you need.
• The type of dryer: There are different types of dryers, such as gas dryers and electric dryers. The type of dryer you have will determine the type of bearing you need.
• The weight of the clothes: The weight of the clothes you usually dry will determine the load capacity of the bearing you need.

How to Replace a Drum Bearing

If the drum bearing in your dryer fails, you will need to replace it. Replacing a drum bearing is a relatively simple repair that can be completed in a few hours.

To replace a drum bearing, you will need the following tools:

• Socket wrench
• Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Punch
• Bearing puller

Once you have the necessary tools, you can follow these steps to replace the drum bearing:

1. Unplug the dryer from the power outlet.
2. Remove the back panel of the dryer.
3. Locate the drum bearing. It is usually located on the back of the drum.
4. Use the socket wrench to remove the bolts that hold the bearing in place.
5. Use the screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the bearing cage in place.
6. Use the hammer and punch to drive the bearing out of the drum.
7. Use the bearing puller to remove the bearing from the shaft.
8. Install the new bearing on the shaft.
9. Install the bearing cage and tighten the screws.
10. Install the bolts that hold the bearing in place.
11. Reattach the back panel of the dryer.
12. Plug the dryer back into the power outlet.

How to Maintain a Drum Bearing

To keep your drum bearing in good working condition, it is important to follow these maintenance tips:

• Keep your dryer clean: Lint can accumulate on the drum bearing, which can cause it to fail. To prevent this, clean your dryer regularly.
• Do not overload your dryer: Overloading your dryer can put extra stress on the drum bearing, which can cause it to fail.
• Do not put wet clothes in your dryer: Wet clothes can cause the drum bearing to rust, which can lead to failure.

Signs of a Bad Drum Bearing

There are several signs that can indicate that your drum bearing is failing:

• The dryer is making a loud noise: A loud noise coming from your dryer is often a sign of a bad drum bearing.
• The dryer is not drying your clothes properly: If your dryer is not drying your clothes properly, it could be a sign of a bad drum bearing.
• The dryer is vibrating excessively: Excessive vibration is another sign of a bad drum bearing.

How to Fix a Bad Drum Bearing

If you think your drum bearing is failing, you can try to fix it yourself. However, it is important to note that this is a relatively difficult repair. If you are not comfortable working on your own dryer, it is best to call a qualified appliance repair technician.

To fix a bad drum bearing, you will need the following tools:

• Socket wrench
• Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Punch
• Bearing puller

Once you have the necessary tools, you can follow these steps to fix a bad drum bearing:

1. Unplug the dryer from the power outlet.
2. Remove the back panel of the dryer.
3. Locate the drum bearing. It is usually located on the back of the drum.
4. Use the socket wrench to remove the bolts that hold the bearing in place.
5. Use the screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the bearing cage in place.
6. Use the hammer and punch to drive the bearing out of the drum.
7. Use the bearing puller to remove the bearing from the shaft.
8. Inspect the bearing for damage. If the bearing is damaged, it will need to be replaced.
9. If the bearing is not damaged, you can try to clean it. To clean the bearing, use a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol.
10. Once the bearing is clean, you can reinstall it. To reinstall the bearing, follow the steps in reverse order.

Cost of Replacing a Drum Bearing

The cost of replacing a drum bearing will vary depending on the type of dryer you have and the labor costs in your area. However, you can expect to pay between $100 and $300 for a new drum bearing.

Warranty

Most drum bearings come with a warranty. The length of the warranty will vary depending on the manufacturer. However, you can expect most warranties to cover the replacement of a defective drum bearing for a period of one to five years.

Tips for Extending the Life of Your Drum Bearing

There are several things you can do to extend the life of your drum bearing:

• Keep your dryer clean: Lint can accumulate on the drum bearing, which can cause it to fail. To prevent this, clean your dryer regularly.
• Do not overload your dryer: Overloading your dryer can put extra stress on the drum bearing, which can cause it to fail.
• Do not put wet clothes in your dryer: Wet clothes can cause the drum bearing to rust, which can lead to failure.
• Have your dryer serviced regularly: A qualified appliance repair technician can inspect your dryer and make sure that the drum bearing is in good working condition.

Conclusion

The drum bearing is a critical part of your clothes dryer that allows the drum to rotate smoothly and efficiently. By following the tips in this article, you can keep your drum bearing in good working condition and extend its life.

Additional Resources

• How to Replace a Drum Bearing in a Clothes Dryer
• Drum Bearing Replacement Guide
• Clothes Dryer Drum Bearing Replacement

Stories

Story 1

A woman put a wet load of clothes in her dryer and went out to run errands. When she came back home, she found that her dryer was making a loud noise. She opened the dryer door and saw that the drum was not rotating. She called a qualified appliance repair technician to come and fix it. The technician found that the drum bearing had failed due to the wet clothes. The technician replaced the drum bearing and the dryer was working properly again.

What we learn: Do not put wet clothes in your dryer. Wet clothes can cause the drum bearing to rust, which can lead to failure.

Story 2

A man overloaded his dryer with clothes. When he started the dryer, he heard a loud noise. He opened the dryer door and saw that the drum was not rotating. He called a qualified appliance repair technician to come and fix it. The technician found that the drum bearing had failed due to the overload. The technician replaced the drum bearing and the dryer was working properly again.

What we learn: Do not overload your dryer. Overloading your dryer can put extra stress on the drum bearing, which can cause it to fail.

Story 3

A woman did not clean her dryer regularly. Lint accumulated on the drum bearing and caused it to fail. The woman called a qualified appliance repair technician to come and fix it. The technician cleaned the drum bearing and the dryer was working properly again.

What we learn: Keep your dryer clean. Lint can accumulate on the drum bearing, which can cause it to fail.

Table 1: Comparison of Drum Bearing Types

Table 2: Signs of a Bad Drum Bearing