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Universal Dryer damaging clothes

If your dryer is ripping or eating clothes, the problem is usually a mechanical issue that lets fabric get caught where the drum meets the cabinet. The most likely causes, in order, are a loose or broken drum support bearing that lets the drum misalign and trap clothing at the front bulkhead, worn drum slides or glides that let the drum drop and create a wider bottom gap, a damaged or cracked drum assembly that snags fabric, a broken lint or filter cover that tears items, and worn drum roller axles or rollers that let the drum wobble and sit low. Check for a visible gap at the bottom of the drum, run a cloth across the drum surface to feel for catches, and turn the drum by hand with the belt off to see if rollers spin freely. If you find wear or damage, you can enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to locate the exact replacement part—drum support bearings, glides, drum assemblies, filter covers, roller axles and rollers are all available with repair guidance.

01 - Universal Dryer Drum Support Bearing

The drum support bearing is a component used on some dryer models to support the rear of the drum and allow the drum to rotate freely. If the bearing is loose or broken, the drum can become misaligned and damage clothing items that become trapped between the edge of the drum and the front bulkhead. You will need to disassemble the dryer and uninstall the drum to inspect the drum support bearing and to determine if it should be replaced.
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02 - Universal Dryer Drum Slide Glide or Pad

The drum glides (also called slides) might be worn out. The drum glides are small plastic pieces that support the front of the dryer drum. As the drum rotates, it slides on these plastic pieces. Over time, the drum glides wear out. If the drum glides are worn out, the dryer will usually make noise and the drum will drop down and have a wider gap at the bottom allowing clothes to get caught in the gap. To determine if the drum glides are worn out, inspect them for wear. If one or more glides are worn out, replace all of the glides as a set.
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03 - Universal Dryer Drum Assembly

As the drum assembly rotates, the clothing could be catching on a damaged section of the drum resulting in tears or holes in the clothing. Inspect the inside of the drum with a flashlight and run a cloth across the surface to see if it catches on anything. If the drum assembly is damaged or has cracks, it should be replaced.
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04 - Universal Dryer Filter Cover

The filter cover holds the lint filter in place. If the filter cover is broken or damaged, clothes can get caught and tear on the cover. Inspect the filter. If the filter cover is cracked or damaged it will need to be replaced.
Common

05 - Universal Dryer Drum Roller Axle

One or more of the drum roller axles might be worn out. Most dryers have two drum support rollers on the rear of the drum, and some dryers have two more rollers, supporting the front of the drum. Over time, the drum rollers and axles wear out, causing a loud rumbling noise and the drum to drop down and have a wider gap at the bottom allowing clothes to get caught in the gap. To determine if the drum roller axles are worn out, remove the belt from the dryer and try turning the drum by hand. If the drum does not rotate freely, check the support rollers for wear. If the rollers spin freely without wobbling, the axles do not n...eed to be replaced. If a roller wobbles and/or does not spin freely, we recommend replacing all of the axles and rollers as a preventative measure.
Common

06 - Universal Dryer Drum Roller

One or more of the drum rollers might be worn out. Many dryers have two drum support rollers on the rear of the drum, and some dryers have two more rollers supporting the front of the drum. When the drum rollers are worn out, they can cause the dryer to make a loud rumbling noise and if worn badly the drum will drop down and have a wider gap at the bottom allowing clothes to get caught in the gap. To determine if the rollers are worn out, inspect the rollers. If one or more of the rollers are severely worn, we recommend replacing all of the rollers at the same time as a preventative measure (The roller shaft can often be r...eused if it is in good condition. Clean the shaft thoroughly before installing the new rollers).
Common

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my dryer ripping or damaging clothes?
My dryer is making a grinding or loud rumbling noise when the drum turns. What parts should I check?
Dryer drum not turning. How do I troubleshoot which part is bad?
Should I replace the whole drum assembly or just the worn parts?
How do I find the correct replacement part for my dryer on RepairClinic.com?

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