Kenmore Elite Dryer Making Loud Noise: Drum Roller and Idler Replacement in Redwood City
A Kenmore Elite dryer in Redwood City worked but rattled loudly. The drum rollers had worn flat. We replaced all four rollers and the idler pulley with bearing versions, installed a new belt and fully cleaned the dryer.
Repair at a glance
| City | Redwood City, CA |
|---|---|
| Appliance | Dryer |
| Category | Major Brands |
| Brand & model | Kenmore Elite 796.81182310 (front-load electric dryer made by LG, about 10 years old) |
| Repair date | |
| Customer complaint | The dryer heated and dried normally but made a loud, unpleasant rattling noise. |
| Diagnosis | All four drum support rollers were worn flat — no longer round — and the cabinet was full of lint. Heating element and motor tested good. |
| Repair cost | $385 (parts and labor) |
| Warranty | 6 months on parts and labor |
| Outcome | Repaired |
What the customer told us
The customer in Redwood City said their Kenmore Elite dryer, about 10 years old, had become very noisy. It still heated and dried clothes normally — only the noise was the problem.
Diagnosis: worn drum rollers
When we ran the dryer we heard the drum rattling. That sound points to the mechanical parts that carry the drum, not to heating.
After taking the dryer apart we found the drum support rollers were badly worn. They were no longer round: the wear had flattened them into half-rounds, so the drum bumped and rattled as it turned. The inside of the cabinet was also full of lint and dust.
The repair: bearing rollers and idler
We replaced the complete set of four drum rollers. Instead of standard rollers with a plain sliding bushing, we installed rollers with ball bearings, which turn more smoothly.
We also replaced the idler (belt tensioner) pulley with a bearing version and installed a new drive belt.
Full cleaning and checks
With the dryer open we vacuumed and cleaned the whole cabinet, and cleaned the exhaust path inside the dryer itself (not the home's vent line). We also checked the heating element and the motor.
Result
After reassembly the dryer ran evenly and smoothly, with no rattle.
The total for this job — disassembly, new rollers, idler and belt, full service and reassembly — was $385. The repair comes with a 6-month warranty on parts and labor.
Photos from this repair
The Kenmore Elite dryer before the repair. 
Cabinet opened — lots of lint and dust inside. 
The old rollers, worn flat instead of round. 
New bearing rollers, idler pulley and drive belt. 
Cabinet vacuumed and cleaned. 
New rollers installed, ready for reassembly.
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