Kitchen Gas Appliances - Maytag DG7500 blower question

The better half was able for the first time this morning to demonstrate to me the abnormal noise the dryer has been sometimes making on startup. After it's going it sounds ok, but what I heard for the first couple of seconds after startup didn't sound normal at all so this afternoon I jumped in with both feet and pulled the drum. Found a few moving parts that might be candidates for replacement but the thing that was most troubling to me is that the blower/fan spins freely on the motor shaft. I released the circlip that retains it after pulling the cover off the housing and removed the fan. It appears that it's supposed to be a friction fit on the shaft with a spring loaded clip around the outside serving to compress the slotted bushing against the shaft. The slots are completely closed though so there's no appreciable friction between the motor shaft and fan bushing. Am I right that this can't be normal and that the remedy is replacement of the plastic fan/blower? Thx, -joe

Very common problem need a blower wheel. unplug dryer first

Very common problem need a blower wheel. unplug dryer first

Thx. Is there a parts list online that'll likely give me the p/n for this thing or should I just inquire using the model #? Hopefully there's a somewhat improved wheel out there.. At least if it's a common problem maybe the wheel will be available locally.. -joe

part # Y303836 Best thing to do is take the wheel and the numbers [model and serial#'s] to a local parts place. The should be readily available. It comes with a new clamp.