Thread: Front load dryer struggles

We have a Samsung front loader, 5 years old.
Started rumbling and vibrating and got progressively worse over the last few months.
Moves plates kinda vibrations.

First go to was the black/blue rollerblade wheels, 4 of them, that supports the dryer drum in operation.
2 of the wheels can be seen in the above.
Most say it’s either those or the belt idler.
Well did all that and nope still possessed by evil demons upon start up.
So I got it to the condition as above and jumped out everything to find that the main motor was the cause. It has destroyed its end bearing as shown.


This is the front bearing, the side connected to the air impeller, not the belt end. I can only surmise poor rubber, and or heat build up caused the rubber to soften,, but damn, only 5 years old and the kicker is that you cannot buy the bearing sleeves alone.
Motor, with new sleeves, about 150$ CDN on Amazon with seemingly more robust end bearings..
I think the key may have been lint build up in the impeller as during removal I took a lot out from between the blades that were completely blocking air flow.

Moral of the story is that if it seems to be taking longer to dry your clothes,, may be worth pulling the front off or however yours is built to clean out your fan. Even if you clean the lint trap regularly stuff clearly gets by. The stagnant heat, not blowing through to the drum, and clothes was the tell, I just ignored the signs I think..

If this post can save some dough for others, I’m happy..