LG Dryer Starts Then Makes Grinding Noise: Repair Kit Installed in Mountain View
An LG DLE3500W dryer in Mountain View that started normally, then developed grinding and squeaking noises. I installed the maintenance kit and cleaned the inside of the cabinet.
Repair at a glance
| City | Mountain View, CA |
|---|---|
| Appliance | Electric dryer |
| Category | Major Brands |
| Brand & model | LG DLE3500W electric dryer |
| Repair date | |
| Customer complaint | The dryer would start, but after a few minutes it began making a grinding noise. The customer also noticed a slight smoky smell and was concerned that the noise was coming from the motor or drum. |
| Diagnosis | During diagnosis I heard squeaking from the dryer. The mechanical support parts were worn, so the maintenance kit with the drum rollers, drive belt and idler pulley needed to be replaced. |
| Repair cost | $367 (parts and labor) |
| Warranty | 6 months on parts and labor |
| Outcome | Repaired |
What I found
The customer described a grinding noise that appeared after the dryer had been running for a few minutes, along with a slight smoky smell. During diagnosis I also heard squeaking from the mechanical parts.
The wear was in the drum support parts rather than something that could be solved by cleaning the lint screen alone. The appropriate repair was a maintenance kit with new rollers, a drive belt and an idler pulley.
How I did the repair
I pulled the dryer out, removed the front panel and took the drum and front bulkhead out to reach the rollers and the inside of the cabinet. The old rollers and hardware were removed, and the replacement rollers were fitted to the bulkhead.
I installed the new belt and idler pulley as part of the kit. There was lint inside the cabinet and around the blower area, so I cleaned those surfaces before putting the drum, bulkhead and front panel back together.
Result
The worn maintenance parts were replaced and the dryer was reassembled and returned to service. The total was $367, with a 6-month warranty on parts and labor.
Parts replaced: drum support rollers, drive belt and idler pulley.
Photos from this repair
The LG DLE3500W dryer before disassembly. 
The dryer pulled out for access. 
The drum and front bulkhead removed; lint visible inside. 
A drum roller and its shaft during disassembly. 
Removed drum rollers and replacement hardware. 
The front bulkhead removed from the dryer. 
New drum support rollers fitted to the bulkhead. 
The inside of the cabinet cleaned before reassembly. 
The dryer reassembled after the maintenance kit installation. 
The control panel after the dryer was put back together.
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