[bikerchick]

I can see a gap in the rear drum. I opened top, I could push on drum and would seal. It started with the thermal cut-off blowing. I cleaned out the lint and replaced vent hose with aluminum one. I replaced thermal cut-off, it lasted for 3-4 loads (spaced out 2-3 weeks), then blew thermal cut-off again. All other fuses, thermo-stats, and heating element are good. I noticed when trouble shooting one time that the timer was not advancing on auto-sense, but did on timed-dry cycle. I replaced the thermostat and the thermal cut-off and thermal fuse kit (again). It lasted the 3-4 loads, then blew again. Later, before replacing the back on the dryer is when I noticed light through the gap in the upper left of the drum, (the heater coil and casing is behind that area). I took off the front and top and checked the drum seals front and back. They are still intact and are not freyed in any way. So my question is: Is it possible for the drum seal to wear thin and not seal or is it a support problem and how can I tell. I have already spent $100.00 or more. (2 thermal cut-off kits and 1 cycle thermostat). My dryer is 21 yrs old, but I am unsure of new dryers longevity. They just aren't made as good, in my opinion. If there is a definite fix for a minimal cost, it may be worth fixing!? Please advise!! Thanks, bikerchick ps, My clothes never got caught in gap and I never noticed any marks. I was thinking that the gap in drum could affect the dryer overheating because it is near the heating element side and there-fore might cause the thermal cut-off fuse to blow. Also, there is no squealing or scraping sounds at all. The back plate on my Roper covers 2 thirds, I could not get the lint shoot completely off and the heater element casing has to be detatched from behind the drum. Newer models are easier to get to everything. What were they thinking? Please help, I have been going to laundromat for 2-3 months. I don't like it and can't really afford a new dryer.

[ApplianceJunk]

The gap could be causing the fuse to blow. Did you also check around the blower housing around the fan to see if it was packed with lint build up?

[bikerchick]

Originally Posted by ApplianceJunk

The gap could be causing the fuse to blow. Did you also check around the blower housing around the fan to see if it was packed with lint build up?

Yes, I cleaned the blower housing and vent chute. How can I fix the gap in the drum? Is it the support rollers causing it to lean forward or can the drum seal just be worn thin? Will either cause the dryer to overheat causing the thermal cut-off fuse to blow?

[bikerchick]

Yes, I cleaned the lint out of the blower wheel and the chute. How can I remedy the gap in rear of drum? If the seal is not freyed or loose, can it be worn thin to cause the gap? The gap is NOT all the way around, just at the top left by the heater element side. Or could it be a support problem? In front or back? How can I trouble shoot this? What do I look for? Thanks.