Dryer sqeaks loudly (occ. piercing) w/ a metal on metal sound. (It still dries clothes nicely as long as you can stand the noise). The noise is rhythmic but not always there, and not always the same intensity. We changed the belt and it didn't help. We opened it up and tried to pull the drum out to replace the drum bearing, but it wouldn't come out. It appears to be bolted to the center rear of the machine, but there is no access to unbolt anything there. Serial #SA720189W:confused:

I have a hotpoint 5 cycle clothes dryer that is making a piercing sound as well, much like described above. I have researched a bit, and am thinking that the rear drum bearing kit may be what I am looking for, however, could you recommend another kit, in addition to, etc? Kit Part Number: AP2619300

Also, do these kits come with relatively good instructions? I am pretty mechanically inclined, but no expert, so instructions are critical.

My model number is DLB3600SBLWH

Any advice would be most helpful. Thanks!
Jim

Well, I received the parts kit containing the new bearing assembly, and put it all together. In doing so I cleaned out the dryer completely of all accumulated lint. Amazing what builds up over the years, it was scary to see that the heat coils had little bits of burnt crap in there. As it cleaned up and the parts went in with very little problem, I thought I had it done.

Within a week, the shrieking sound returned. I opened it up and looked in there and the whole plastic door track that the drum rides on was in very bad shape. And yeah, when I replaced the bearing assembly, I saw the wear and missing pieces of plastic, but I didn't think a lot of it at the time - just trim? So the fix to that?

I made sure I closed the basement door when the dryer was on. So looking at my earlier post, I think I put the parts in shortly after the July 4th weekend. It lasted almost 8 months.

The old thing gave it's last spin this morning, in fact. Saw the reply in my email and decided to update my post. Heading to craigslist!

Thanks for the help,
Jim