Choose Product
Identify Problem
03
Find Solutions

Kenmore Dryer damaging clothes

If your Kenmore dryer is ripping or eating clothes, the most likely causes are parts that let the drum sag or catch fabric. Start by checking the rear drum support bearing; a loose or broken bearing misaligns the drum so garments can get pinched between the drum edge and bulkhead. Next inspect the front drum slides or glides; worn glides let the drum drop and create a larger gap at the bottom where clothes get trapped. A cracked or dented drum shell can also snag fabric, so run a cloth around the interior and look for burrs or holes. Don’t forget the lint filter cover; a broken filter frame will catch and tear items. Worn drum roller axles or rollers can cause the drum to wobble and lower the drum, producing the same problem. You’ll usually have to remove the drum to inspect these parts; replace glides as a set and consider replacing rollers and axles together as preventive maintenance. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement parts that fit your dryer.

01 - Kenmore 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.
Enter model number to search for the required part specific to your product
Top Solution

02 - Kenmore 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.
Top Solution

03 - Kenmore 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.
Top Solution

04 - Kenmore 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 - Kenmore 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 - Kenmore 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 damaging clothes?
My dryer is making a grinding or loud rumbling noise when the drum turns. What should I check?
The drum won’t turn or feels stuck. What parts cause a dryer drum not turning?
Do I have to replace all drum glides or rollers at once?
How do I enter my model number or part number on RepairClinic to buy the correct replacement part?

Shop by Kenmore Dryer Parts