How to Fix a Dryer That Is Making a Grinding Noise?

Do you hear a grinding sound each time you run your dryer? Not just bothersome, that noise is your machine’s way of crying out for help. Every day use can degrade internal parts, such as rollers, belts, or bearings. Eventually, the friction and noise will alert you to something more serious on the horizon.

Putting it off can mean repairs become more expensive, or a malfunction changes, and your dryer breaks down. We’ll cover the most common reasons why your dryer grinds when running and provide helpful ways to fix it, so your laundry room can return to the quiet, smooth performance you need.

Common Reasons Why Your Dryer is Making a Loud Noise

If your dryer is making grinding noises, you need to know what’s causing it and why:

Dryer Making Grinding Noise

Ignoring the grinding sound that’s coming from your dryer is one of those things you will not be able to do for long. It is more than an annoyance- it is often a preamble to a component in your dryer wearing out or failing. If you let that go on, it could end up costing you a pricey repair or even loss of the appliance itself.

The following might be the reasons for the grinding noises your dryer is making:
Worn Dryer Drum Rollers: The dryer drum is supported by drum rollers as it spins. The drum rollers can wear out or become clogged with lint and debris, and will create a grinding or rumbling noise as the drum tumbles. The noise happens because of continued friction between metal parts and worn roller surfaces.

Damaged Drum Bearings: The rear drum bearing allows the dryer drum to spin freely, and when the bearing wears out, the metal parts rub together, which creates the loud grinding or scraping sound. The drum bearing may fail due to age or overloading the dryer, or possibly due to a lack of lubrication.

Worn or Frayed Drive Belt: The drive belt runs around the dryer drum, tension pulley, and motor. A frayed or slipping belt will produce a high-pitched grinding noise due to its rubbing against metal. The drive belt will wear out over time or become misaligned, which causes friction with the other moving parts.

Defective Idler Pulley: The idler pulley serves to keep the drive belt taut. The idler pulley may produce a squealing or grinding noise as it rotates due to the bearing wearing out while in operation. If the idler pulley is used for extended periods of time or there is dust around the pulley bearing, it can cause it to fail.

Foreign Object Caught in the Drum or Blower Wheel: Coins, buttons, or even zippers can become lodged between the drum and the housing or even in the blower wheel, resulting in a grinding or scraping sound. Loose items can be left in pockets and can easily make their way to the moving dryer parts.

Bad Motor Bearings: When the dryer motor bearings are worn, they will create a consistent grinding or growling sound during motor operation. With constant use, the bearings dry out and fail, which generally requires replacing the entire motor.

What Happens If You Ignore the Grinding Noise?

• Increased damage: Smaller problems, such as worn-out rollers, may worsen to damage the drum and/or motor.
• Increased cost of repair: Ignoring the noise can quickly turn a simple fix into a larger repair job.
• Reduced efficiency: A dryer that is performing poorly must work harder, which is inefficient, as it will use more energy and take longer to dry clothes.
• Total appliance failure: If friction continues for too long, it may cause overheating or failure of the motor, making the appliance worthless.
• Fire hazard: In rare instances, the friction of metal-on-metal could combine with a buildup of lint to create a real fire hazard.

Ways to Fix a Dryer That Makes a Grinding Noise

• Always begin by ensuring the dryer is unplugged for safety.
• Remove the dryer drum and inspect the rollers and bearings for flat spotting or major wear. If any are worn out, replace them.
• Examine the drive belt for fraying, cracks, or looseness. Spin the idler pulley; if it squeaks or grinds, that also needs to be replaced.
• Look around the edges of the drum, inside the blower wheel, and in the lint trap area for small items that might be causing the noise.
• If needed, apply a lubricant that is manufacturer-approved and recommended to any bearings and rollers in the dryer. Over-lubricating is not recommended.
• After replacing or repairing the parts, reassemble the dryer. Run a cycle to ensure the noise has stopped.

When Basic Troubleshooting Doesn’t Work?

If you have inspected everything above, and the noise of grinding continues, it may be due to:

-A defective motor or electrical component

-Internal wiring or mounting issues

-A damaged drum shaft or rear bearing assembly

In this situation, please schedule an appointment for a certified appliance technician with Appliance Medic to take care of this. Working on deeper repairs than you are equipped to do could further damage the dryer, and possibly void any services using your warranty. Appliance Medic excels in dryer repair services in New York and New Jersey.

How to Prevent Future Grinding Noise

• Always empty pockets before drying clothes.
• Be sure to clean the lint filter after each load.
• Do not overload the dryer with heavy loads, which can damage bearings and or rollers.
• And be sure to regularly maintain the dryer to check all the moving parts and belts.

Final Thoughts

If you hear a grinding sound coming from your dryer, don’t ignore it. It is an obvious sign that something inside is failing. Problems with the internal rollers, belts, or even the bearings can get worse very quickly and lead to expensive repairs or a completely broken dryer.

Routine maintenance like cleaning the lint filter, removing any objects stuck inside, and running loads without overloading the dryer will help prevent this situation. If a grinding noise lingers, seek the repair of a professional, like Appliance Medic, to bring you the peace of mind in knowing it is repaired correctly.