[bay-fisher@hotmail.com]

Dryer is grinding like felts worn out. I am replacing guides which I assume are like felt ones I have replaced in other dryers. While I'm at it I figured rear bearing probably needed replacement also. Question is Dryer gets very hot on top. can barely touch it. How can I check out thermostat? Thanks for help.

[denman]

Here are your parts
Cabinet & drum replacement parts for GE DBR453EA0WW | AppliancePartsPros.com

I did see that the unit has an Air flow kit Item 1236 in Section 1.
Perhaps this is the problem. Note I cannot say for sure as getting tech info on GE's is difficult, they like to keep it secret.

You are actually sucking air over the heating coils, through the drum and then pushing it out the exhaust so anything that reduces the air flow will cause the unit's top to heat up.

Check that the vent is OK.
Check that the lint filter is not coated with fabric softener residue.
Check that the drum seals are OK and all seals in the air flow path are OK, The thermostat is on the blower so if it is pulling in room air it sees a lower temperature and will run hotter . Also this will reduce air flow over the heating element.

If you cannot control the heat, then you may have a grounded element. Where it is not being controlled by the thermostat.

You could heat up the face of the thermostat to see if it opens using a meter.