I was given an LG electric dryer with model number DLEX2501V and s/n 0101KWDJ06178. The dryer was given to me for possible repair by an older person who said it started making a lot of noise. The top cover was removed and the drum turned by hand the check for problems. The drum had started to split and break apart at the rear lip. There is a chunk missing out of the drum itself. The material used to make this drum is very thin. It is much thinner than a dryer such as Maytag or Whirlpool and I am surprised it actually lasts very long. A new drum is quite expensive and I am wondering if anyone knows if the manufacturer is making this out of thicker material now. The dryer in question is about 12 years old. The LG folks seemed very surprised to hear of this problem but after looking at the material it is likely this problem has been around quite a while. Can anyone shed some light on this ?