Over time, as the dryer is used regularly, the support rollers that hold up the drum begin to wear out. This wear leads to thumping sounds, vibrations, and sometimes squeaking noises. On older models, rollers tend to wear down the bearing surface on the shaft, causing increased play (looseness), which not only makes noise but can eventually damage the shaft itself. In newer dryers, many rollers use integrated ball bearings, which can also fail and produce high-pitched squeaking or grinding noises.
Reasons Why Your Dryer Makes Noise
- Worn Rollers
- Common Pulley Problems
- Worn Drum Bearings and Axles
- Foreign Objects Stuck Inside
- Worn or Stretched Drive Belt
Worn Rollers – №1
Diagnosis
- Disassemble the dryer and remove the drum
- Visually inspect the condition of all rollers — both at the rear panel and the front panel
- Look for signs of flat spots, wobbling, or stiff movement
Professional Tip
If any roller is worn or damaged, it is strongly recommended to replace the entire set of rollers. Uneven wear usually affects all rollers over time, and replacing only one can lead to recurring issues.
Replacement cost: from $180
Common Pulley Problems – №2
The idler pulley (tensioner) is another frequent source of noise — especially on Samsung dryers. It often seizes or becomes rough, creating additional load on the motor and risking motor failure if not addressed.
Diagnosis
- With the dryer disassembled, visually inspect the pulley
- Spin it by hand. If it does not rotate freely or feels stiff, it must be replaced
Replacement cost: from $320
Worn Drum Bearings and Axles – №3
Problems with the drum bearing or axle can cause horrible squeaking or scraping sounds. Many modern budget dryers, such as some GE models, use a simple plastic bearing system at the rear of the drum. After just a few years, the plastic bearing can wear out, causing noise.
Solution
Only complete disassembly and replacement of the shaft and bearing will permanently solve this issue.
Replacement cost: from $250
Foreign Objects Stuck Inside – №4
Small objects — coins, paper clips, or screws — can slip into gaps around the drum or end up in the blower wheel, causing loud rattling, scraping, or squealing noises.
Diagnosis
- Fully disassemble the dryer
- Carefully clean out all trapped debris from the drum edges, blower housing, and lint trap area
Replacement cost: from $180
Worn or Stretched Drive Belt – №5
While less common, a stretched or worn drive belt can create strange noises too. If the belt is slipping or tightening abruptly during rotation, it might produce unusual sounds.
Solution
- Inspect the belt for cracks, stretching, or wear
- Replace if necessary
Diagnosis and replacement cost: from $180
Technician’s Recommendation: Replace the Full Kit
From experience, whenever a customer complains about dryer noise, professional technicians replace all moving and drive components at once — not just a single part. If you only replace one roller or the belt, it’s very likely the customer will call back soon due to another noise developing.
The proper repair kit usually includes:
- New support rollers
- New idler pulley
- New drive belt
This approach ensures long-term quiet operation and prevents future breakdowns.
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I’m an appliance repair technician based in Houston, Texas. Here, I share my hands-on experience and insights. Hope you find my articles helpful! Feel free to drop a comment or share your thoughts—I’d be happy to chat!
1 Comments
Hi! I’d like to have your technician come out to repair my GE dryer. Will you have the necessary parts with you in case they need to be replaced, or will I have to wait a few days?