Frigidaire Dryer Rear Drum Bearing Replacement

ID: 221321

Description: [youtubevideo|rvk4lXhhnG0]Use this guide to...

Steps:

1. Unplug the dryer before opening the cabinet.
2. If the dryer is gas-powered, close the gas shutoff valve before moving or disconnecting it.
3. Let the dryer cool completely if it was recently running.
4. Wear work gloves to protect your hands from sharp sheet-metal edges.
5. Use the separate disassembly guide to open the cabinet and remove the drum before continuing.
6. This procedure begins with the dryer already apart and the rear-bearing parts exposed.
7. Find the ball support on the back of the drum.
8. Locate the plastic socket cup and metal bracket on the rear wall of the dryer.
9. For reference, the drum ball is the moving part on the drum, and the socket cup and bracket stay fixed to the rear panel.
10. The ball drops into the socket from above so the drum can rotate without pulling forward.
11. The metal bracket holds the plastic socket cup in place.
12. Look inside the rear center of the drum and locate the three Phillips screws.
13. Remove the three screws with a Phillips screwdriver.
14. Lift the drum ball off the back of the drum.
15. Keep the screws organized for reassembly.
16. Inspect the removed drum ball.
17. The narrow neck behind the rounded end is what lets the ball stay captured in the socket.
18. Test-fit the ball into the plastic socket to see where it rides.
19. Look for wear on the narrow edge of the ball where it may have rubbed metal.
20. Inspect the inside and upper edge of the plastic socket cup.
21. Replace the bearing assembly if the plastic edge is worn away or the ball sits low enough to touch the metal bracket.
22. A good socket still keeps plenty of plastic between the drum ball and the metal bracket.
23. Rear-drum squeaking, screeching, and grinding are common signs of this wear.
24. Do not keep running the dryer if the ball is rubbing metal, because the sharp edge can cut the ball off, drop the drum onto the motor, and break the belt.
25. Move to the outside rear of the dryer.
26. Locate the two 5/16 inch bolts that secure the rear socket assembly to the back plate.
27. Remove the two bolts with a 5/16 inch nut driver.
28. Remove the metal bracket, plastic socket, and outside retainer from the rear plate.
29. These parts sandwich the rear dryer panel and keep the bearing assembly from pulling out the back.
30. Order a complete rear drum-bearing kit instead of replacing only one worn piece.
31. A complete kit should include the drum ball, plastic socket, metal bracket, outside retainer, and grease.
32. Use the part listed for this guide or an equivalent kit that matches your dryer model.
33. Confirm that your dryer uses this rear ball-and-socket support before ordering parts.
34. Position the new plastic socket cup in the metal bracket at the rear support opening.
35. Fit the outside retainer on the back of the rear panel so the assembly sandwiches the sheet metal.
36. Reinstall the two 5/16 inch bolts with a nut driver.
37. Make sure the socket opening faces upward so the drum ball can drop into it from above.
38. Apply the supplied grease inside the new plastic socket cup where the drum ball rides.
39. Do not assemble the rear bearing dry, because the grease is part of the repair.
40. Set the new drum ball on the back of the drum and align the screw holes.
41. Install the three Phillips screws.
42. Reinstall the drum by lowering the drum ball into the top of the socket cup.
43. Rotate the drum by hand to confirm that the ball is seated and the drum turns without scraping.
44. Reassemble the dryer by reversing the separate disassembly instructions.
45. Reconnect power, reopen the gas valve if needed, and run the dryer briefly while listening for squeaks or grinding.
46. Stop the dryer immediately if the drum drops, scrapes, or makes belt noise.