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Dryer Making Clunking Noise: How to Fix? (Explained)

Dryers are one of the most helpful and useful appliances that we need. One of the signs that a dryer is not functioning at its best is when it starts to make clunking noises. If your dryer is making clunking noises, you would want to know the reasons and how to fix it. 

Dryer making a clunking noise

A dryer may make a clunking sound if there is a problem with the rotation of its drums. The primary reason causing such noises is worn out of the busted dryer drum roller. Damaged driver belts, drum seal cushioning, and uneven load in the dryer can also cause clunking noises.

A dryer can be noisy in different ways and each type of sound it makes might mean a different type of issue needs to be fixed. 

If your dryer has a clunking noise, you would expect to hear a low thumping sound, either constantly when the dryer is on, or occasionally when the appliance is at work. The sound is somewhat unpleasant and can be associated with rumbling noises as well. 

Drum rollers:

One of the primary reasons that make dryers make clunking noises has to do with dryer drum rollers. 

The function of the rollers is an important one wherein it supports and holds the drums in places when the drums are in rotation. There are two drum rollers in the appliance that are mostly placed at the rear panel, enclosed in the cabinet. 

Without proper lubrication, the rollers may become worn out as the dryer works over time. Sometimes these rollers can become flat, causing desynchronization between the roller and the drum. 

As the drum sidesteps the roller every time and vice versa, the dryer is bound to make a clunking noise.  

Load that we put into the dryer:

When all functions and inner parts of the dryer are operating as they should, one of the problems that cause a clunking noise is the load that we put into the dryer. 

If you are putting too much load at once, the dryer may make such a noise. 

Other than that, an inconsistent load can also cause clunking sounds, which go away as soon as you rearrange the clothes inside the dryer. 

Sometimes, it’s some kind of foreign object that may have been left inside the dryer with the load. Pant pockets have tiny objects like coins that can fall out and make clunking noises. 

Damaged belt:

A damaged belt on the dryer is another common problem that causes dryers to make clunking noises. While the rollers support the drums, the belt is what makes the drum rotate evenly. 

As the belt becomes old, it depreciates and may become frayed. Sometimes, due to all the movement, the belt can crack at some point. 

A damaged belt that has not been fixed immediately can lead to other problems like worn out rollers, causing the clunking clamors to increase. 

Damage in other parts of the dryer:

Damage in other parts of the dryer like the seal can also cause the dryer to male clunking sounds once in a while. 

In the middling of the bulkhead of the dryer and the drums, there needs to be some cushioning that decreases the friction. The seal is what provides this cushioning. 

Once this seal of cushioning is damaged, you can expect clothes to be trapped in the gap, making the dryer sound out clunking noises. 

Other than that, if you or a professional can locate whether the blower wheel is worn out, the clunking sounds can be a cause of that. 

How do you fix a clunking dryer? 

With all causes mentioned, here is how you can fix a clunking dryer: 

Remove the drum from the dryer:

If the drum rollers are the root of the problem that is causing a crinkling sound, you would need to remove the drum from the dryer. 

For that, you must disconnect the dryer from its main power source before anything. Next, open the cabinet of the appliance and dismantle the drum to remove it. 

Now to make sure whether it is your drum rollers that are causing the sound, you would need to examine the rollers. If you notice signs of wear and tear or any other visible signs of damage, you would need to call for replacement. 

Sometimes, the rollers would only need to be cleaned or lubed for which replacement would not be required.  You should also examine the shaft as you are at it. 

Once a drum roller is damaged, replacement is the best option to opt for. Since dryer repair can be expensive once your dryer is more than 4 years old, it would cost less to replace the drum roller as a whole set. 

Check on the drive belt:

You also need to check on the drive belt. First, locate the drive belt at the rear area of the front panel. In some dryers, the drive belt is located at the bottom of the primary top. 

If you notice any signs of damage, you would also need to replace and install a new drive belt set. Although it is possible to replace oneself, it is best to call in a professional If you have not done the work before. 

Toss and turn some of the clothes and rearrange them:

You might not require any sort of replacement at all if the load is what’s causing your dryer to make all that clunking noise. 

If your load is uneven, you may want to toss and turn some of the clothes and rearrange them. 

Rearranging the clothes would mean that it becomes easier for the drum to rotate as the clothes move freely. If there is any cloth stuck in the cushion between the drum and bulkhead, you may want to untangle that. 

However, this would mean that the seal of cushioning needs to be repaired. For this, you would need to call in a professional. 

How do I know if my dryer drum rollers are bad? 

Since a damaged or worn-out drum roller is what makes the dryers make the most clunking noise, you would need to look out for signs and symptoms that signal that your dryer drum rollers have gone bad

One of the first signs that tell you that you need to replace or repair your dryer drum rollers is all the sounds and noises your dryer starts to make. From clunking noises to squeaking sounds, a dryer would be the noisemaker of the house when its rollers are worn out. 

If the noises somehow escape you, you would know if the drum rollers are bad if the dryer goes into a stop and start motion. 

This happens when the bearings don’t turn the right way, causing overheating of the motor. The drum would start and turn a few times, stop and then again start. 

Other than that, you can also check the drum roller to see if it is working right. If you simply open the dryer door and examine the back wall. 

If you notice that there is a certain gap between the wall and the drums, you would know that the rotations have been hampered due to bad drum rollers. 

How much does it cost to replace dryer drum rollers? 

As you might know, the cost of repairing a dryer might put a hole in your pockets. However, it’s important to identify why your dryer is making clunking noise so that you know which part of the dryer needs a replacement. 

Replacing parts or sets on the dryer can save you a lot of money. Here is how much it costs to replace the dryer drum roller on each brand: 

Samsung:

The cost of replacing a Samsung dryer drum roller can be from about 100 to 150 dollars depending on the kit used. Kits or sets of drum rollers from Samsung can range from 15 dollars to 60 dollars. 

LG:

LG dryers have 4 to 6 drum rollers, making the replacement a little more expensive. It would cost up to 150 dollars to replace rollers in the LG dryer. 

Whirlpool:

To replace the whirlpool dryer drum you would need about 60 to 100 dollars of kit and rollers. 

Maytag:

Maytag drum roller replacement can be done for under 100 dollars at a professional’s cost.  

Electrolux:

The total replacement cost for Electrolux will vary from 50 to 100 dollars. 

Kenmore:

If you are replacing the dryer roll yourself, you can limit the replacement cost of Kenmore to about 80 dollars. 

GE:

The cost to replace GE drum rollers would be around 100 dollars. 

Frigidaire:

Frigidaire drum roller replacement can be from 100 to 150 dollars depending on the roller used. 

Final Thoughts 

If the dryer drum rollers that hold and support the drum become frayed, you can expect the dryer to make clunking noises. The same can happen with the dryer belt damaged and the rotation of the dryer becomes uneven. To fix this, Dryer parts need to be replaced if they become frayed or worn out.