Brand:GE
**Model Number:**DHDSR48EF1WW Main Symptom:dule knocking or rumbling noise What happens & when:There is a loud knocking or rumbling noise when you first start the Dryer but then changes to lesser knocking or rumbling noise. There is a little bit of a rhythm to it where the noise where it rises and lowers in volume and the noise appears to come from left side near motor. The startup noise always happens even when nothing is in it but sounds fine with nothing in dryer and even when only a small amount is in the dryer. The more you put in the more noise you get. The noise sort of sounds like something hard is in the drum but there isn’t anything in the drum.
Error Code (if any):Non
Parts or tests already tried: I have put in a new bearing kit and new belt. The belt was cracking on the inside so decided to replace it. The noise is not as bad as its was before I made these changes and has a slightly different sound. I looked at the white and green pads that support drum and thought they were OK. They have about 1/16" thickness left but I don’t know how thick they are new.
Photos / video link: If I knew where to put a sound recording to create a link I would do that.
If you access the blower wheel to inspect it, does the blower wheel seem like it is wobbling around or loose on the motor shaft? It is secured to the motor drive shaft with a clamp and screw, which can allow for the blower wheel to wobble around slightly if it is loose. The blower wheel can also stretch out at the flat spot of where it sits on the motor shaft if it has gotten loose. Let me know what you find and we can go from there. WE16M15 Blower Wheel | Genuine Ge OEM In Stock
I haven’t gotten completely into the machine but from the front everything seems quit tight. Still has belt on it so may not show the problem if it is there. I was able to run the machine and look thru a vent hole in the back and saw what I think may be the problem. The yellowish base that hold the motor and fan is not fastened in the back righthand corner looking from the front. Not running it sits about ⅜" off the bottom and when dryer is started it moves ⅛" to ¼" then settles down some without anything in the drum without much noise but when a load of clothes is added it makes a lot more noise. The following link has two videos showing issue. One video with no clothes and loaded with clothes. https://share.icloud.com/photos/08bz_ekaE5Hy3keWm7kblurAQ
It looks to me like there is a small tab under the loose corner that is bent up that should be hooked into hole below that tab. Don’t have time right now to get into machine completely but hope to have time later tomorrow to see if that is really the issue or the fan. Thanks
My previous post was correct that the base the hold the motor was being pull up in the corner opposite of belt and motor pulleys. My solution was to screw that down to bottom of dryer. All noise disappeared. It appears it was never held down in the first place. Blower wheel was not part of the problem.