Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - dryer drum reluctant to rotate
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katiedog
09-19-04, 12:24 PM
Whirlpool clothes dryer: model # LEL8858EQ0
Hi gang, Smells bad when it tries to run, like a motor is jammed and won't turn. Took it apart and looked for a sock jammed under the belt, etc.... all clean, but the motor shaft has quite a bit of resistance to turning. Cannot rotate the shaft by hand, but with the wrench can turn it. Any ideas greatly appreciated. Jeff Brown
Hi gang, Smells bad when it tries to run, like a motor is jammed and won't turn. Took it apart and looked for a sock jammed under the belt, etc.... all clean, but the motor shaft has quite a bit of resistance to turning. Cannot rotate the shaft by hand, but with the wrench can turn it. Any ideas greatly appreciated. Jeff Brown
Sharp Advice
09-19-04, 01:19 PM
Hello Jeff and Welcome to the Do-It-Yourself Web Site.
If the motor shaft is difficult to turn, remove the belt from onlu that pulley and try again. If the same problem exists, the motor bearings are likely seized or the fan blower cage is jammed up.
If the problem still exists with the belt removed from the motor pulley, the drum is jammed, etc. Most likely the drum slider/glider pads are worn out and in need of replacement or something is jamming up the drums ability to rotate more freely.
Slide or glide pads are located on the inside of the front door panel. They are located on the housing that attaches to the inside front doors panel which supports the front of the drum. The top inside part of the drum rides on two and sometimes 3 of these pads or glides. Replacement of these parts should be easy on most models.
For more detailed information read the recent postings within this forum. The questions already asked describe like or similarly related problem descriptions as your question. Those prior postings and all the replies offered within them contain almost all the required information needed.
Retail appliance parts dealers can also help determine what the possible problem may be. Bring the make, model and serial numbers. Appliance part stores and parts dealers are listed in the phone book.
Check back on your question several more times. Other members posting replies in this forum topic may offer you additional advice, ideas and or repair methods.
Use the reply button to add additional information or questions. Using this method moves the topic back up to the top of the list of current questions automatically.
Helping Out Here Too.
Web Site Host, Forums Monitor & Multiple Topics Moderator.
Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
Personal Reminder:
Buckle Up & Drive Safely.
"The Life You Save, May Be Your Own.".
If the motor shaft is difficult to turn, remove the belt from onlu that pulley and try again. If the same problem exists, the motor bearings are likely seized or the fan blower cage is jammed up.
If the problem still exists with the belt removed from the motor pulley, the drum is jammed, etc. Most likely the drum slider/glider pads are worn out and in need of replacement or something is jamming up the drums ability to rotate more freely.
Slide or glide pads are located on the inside of the front door panel. They are located on the housing that attaches to the inside front doors panel which supports the front of the drum. The top inside part of the drum rides on two and sometimes 3 of these pads or glides. Replacement of these parts should be easy on most models.
For more detailed information read the recent postings within this forum. The questions already asked describe like or similarly related problem descriptions as your question. Those prior postings and all the replies offered within them contain almost all the required information needed.
Retail appliance parts dealers can also help determine what the possible problem may be. Bring the make, model and serial numbers. Appliance part stores and parts dealers are listed in the phone book.
Check back on your question several more times. Other members posting replies in this forum topic may offer you additional advice, ideas and or repair methods.
Use the reply button to add additional information or questions. Using this method moves the topic back up to the top of the list of current questions automatically.
Helping Out Here Too.
Web Site Host, Forums Monitor & Multiple Topics Moderator.
Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
Personal Reminder:
Buckle Up & Drive Safely.
"The Life You Save, May Be Your Own.".
katiedog
09-19-04, 06:34 PM
Thank you for the reply. Let me be more specific:
I've tried to rotate the motor shaft from both ends: 1st, spin the blower fan, the fan turns, the drive belt for the fan slides on the motor drive pulley on the motor shaft. 2nd, After disconnecting the drum drive belt from the motor pulley, I cannot turn the motor shaft with my hands, only with the aid of a wrench. Seems to me a lot or resistance in the motor, that a bearing has failed?? What do you experts think? If it is a bearing, can I replace a bearing?
Thanks again, I'll do a search as you suggest.
I've tried to rotate the motor shaft from both ends: 1st, spin the blower fan, the fan turns, the drive belt for the fan slides on the motor drive pulley on the motor shaft. 2nd, After disconnecting the drum drive belt from the motor pulley, I cannot turn the motor shaft with my hands, only with the aid of a wrench. Seems to me a lot or resistance in the motor, that a bearing has failed?? What do you experts think? If it is a bearing, can I replace a bearing?
Thanks again, I'll do a search as you suggest.
Sharp Advice
09-20-04, 06:31 AM
Hello: Jeff
You said the motor shaft is hard to turn with the belt removed. As I stated prior, if such is the condition, than yes, the motor bearings are the cause.
There is no practical means for the do it yourselfer to replace only the motor bearings. If the bearings are wornout, than so is the armature and brushes likely to be equally, if not more wornout. Replacing the entire motor is the only logical solution & required.
Electric motor repair shops have such motors as well as appliance parts dealers. Both are listed in the phone books. Be sure to make note of how the belt loops over and around each pulley before removing the belt. Makes re installation much easier that way.
Might also replace the drum slide pads & the belt while the machine is apart and cleanout the entire inside cabinet of the machine to remove all collected lint.
Also clean out the exhaust venting system while doing the motor replacement job. Much better to do the entire job now that the dryer is apart, than later redoing it all over again. About all the info I can provide.
You said the motor shaft is hard to turn with the belt removed. As I stated prior, if such is the condition, than yes, the motor bearings are the cause.
There is no practical means for the do it yourselfer to replace only the motor bearings. If the bearings are wornout, than so is the armature and brushes likely to be equally, if not more wornout. Replacing the entire motor is the only logical solution & required.
Electric motor repair shops have such motors as well as appliance parts dealers. Both are listed in the phone books. Be sure to make note of how the belt loops over and around each pulley before removing the belt. Makes re installation much easier that way.
Might also replace the drum slide pads & the belt while the machine is apart and cleanout the entire inside cabinet of the machine to remove all collected lint.
Also clean out the exhaust venting system while doing the motor replacement job. Much better to do the entire job now that the dryer is apart, than later redoing it all over again. About all the info I can provide.