Drum drive system repairs don't last

[Wacntn]

Model Number: 110.68002010
Brand: Sears Kenmore
Age: More than 10 years

Within the past 18 months, this dryer started to make a horrible grinding, scratching, and squealing noise. I replaced all four drum rollers, the whole idler assembly, and the drive belt. The noise went away for a bit but returned within a couple of weeks. The idler assembly seemed to be the culprit, so I replaced it AGAIN. The noise was less; after a few loads of clothes, the dryer seemed to 'settle in' and stopped making the noise. It ran okay for around six months, but then the heating element failed - it burned in two. I replaced it last week, and we were back in business again. A day later, while a load was being dried, we heard a huge 'bam', and the dryer stopped running. The belt was loose and had some tears, although it was not completely torn in two. So, I ordered a new belt.

I took the drum out to replace the belt and found that the noise was caused by the idler pulley falling off the idler pulley shaft. It gets worse, though. The race on the pulley has worn in two and fallen out; the shaft is worn and now a little flat on one side. And there is A LOT of what appears to be rubber particles/dust on the bottom of the case. I think I must either have defective parts or not know how to put this back together correctly. But it lasted a pretty long time before it failed.

The motor is stable in its mount, and the pulley on the motor shaft does not work or slip out of alignment, as far as I can tell.
The spring for the idler is the original spring.






My wife loves this old dryer!!!

Suggestions appreciated!

[Doc Ryan]

When you replaced the parts previously, did you replace them with Whirlpool brand parts or aftermarket?

[Wacntn]

When you replaced the parts previously, did you replace them with Whirlpool brand parts or aftermarket?

Doc Ryan,

The short answer is I did not order the replacement idler assembly from SearsPartsDirect.com. I ordered it off Amazon. I suspected there could be an issue with the parts from a third party. That's why when I replaced the heater element I ordered it from SearsPartsDirect.com instead of Amazon.

I had a really bad experience with SearsPartsDirect ordering a dryer door switch and ended up ordering one from Amazon. That worked fine. I know the issues with ordering from Amazon!!! So shame on me!!!

The new idler parts that are on the way are from SearsPartsDirect so they **SHOULD** be Whirlpool parts.

Do you think that's been the problem? The parts I have don't have the right tolerances, quality, etc?

Also, I wasn't aware of parts.dr before now or I might have ordered from there.

Walter

[Doc Ryan]

Yes, I think that is the cause of the problem. The parts sold on Amazon are usually much lower quality than the Whirlpool parts. Next time, check out our site as we usually have much better prices for the Whirlpool parts than Sears.

Drum Roller, Belt, & Pulley Kit - 4392067 (PD00002451)

[Wacntn]

Yes, I think that is the cause of the problem. The parts sold on Amazon are usually much lower quality than the Whirlpool parts. Next time, check out our site as we usually have much better prices for the Whirlpool parts than Sears.

Drum Roller, Belt, & Pulley Kit - 4392067 (PD00002451)

I will! Let's hope I don't need any more parts!!!