Thread Number: 50852
Going shopping today
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 731468   1/29/2014 at 09:36 (3,732 days old) by washman (o)        

As surely as water runs downhill, the last 3 loads in the GE dryer I have noticed a loud, and I mean loud squalling sound from the back. Dryer is ok until about 5 minutes or so into the cycle then it starts, rhythmic over and over and over until it shuts off.
I pulled it out so I could hear better and yup, definitely coming from the back. Does not matter full load, empty, no heat or full heat. It is going on 15 years old, probably not going to get it fixed but I will discuss with local dealer. It could be something simple but if it is at the back, I have to shudder that it might be the drum bearing going south.

Since my focus in recent months has been on TL machines and promoting SQ on various web sites, I will start from scratch on a dryer. There are lots of choices I know.

Like the washer, I'm not too disappointed. It probably lasted a lot longer than GE intended it to.





Post# 731469 , Reply# 1   1/29/2014 at 09:46 (3,732 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
GE drum bearing is a fairly easy fix and is not expensive.


Post# 731480 , Reply# 2   1/29/2014 at 10:50 (3,732 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Squeaky 15 YO GE Dryer

combo52's profile picture
Yes the fix should be fairly easy, you may also need a front bearing and a belt for good measure.

If you are going for a new dryer I dough that you would ever live it down if you did not get a SQ Gas dryer [ or electric if you home does not have natural gas ]


Post# 731503 , Reply# 3   1/29/2014 at 11:55 (3,732 days old) by whirlcool (Just North Of Houston, Texas)        

And while you are in there changing out the rear bearing (easy job) I would also replace the belt too. You have to take the old one off anyway....

Post# 731508 , Reply# 4   1/29/2014 at 12:01 (3,732 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Matcher

mrb627's profile picture
So true! If you go shopping for a new dryer and don't by the matching dryer to your SQ, then you will be castrated with extreme prejudice.

JK, but you better get a SQ or else....

Malcolm


Post# 731530 , Reply# 5   1/29/2014 at 13:47 (3,732 days old) by washman (o)        
Well I pulled the trigger

Went to two places, one wanted over $800 which I thought was absurd, the one place closer had a "sale" for $679.00. Free delivery, take the old one, and I got them to throw in a new cord, not that the old one was bad but might as well go new all the way right?

I picked out the ADE4BR.

This place services what they sell (they also handle Maytag).

I had the sales guy show me the rollers and the heater assembly. The heater assembly was 4 (maybe 5) coils mounted on a galvanized metal piece that looked to be pretty sturdy (and made in US). I forgot the KW rating, I would assume comparable to other makes and in line with what a standard 220v circuit can safely carry.

The blower fan is plastic (aren't they all these days) but it was a nice kind of plastic. Very weighty and the fins were stiff and unbendable. It also stated on back something about 20% talc added. Not entirely sure what this means. The only talc I have known comes in powder and is used to keep a baby bottom dry. Or prevent diaper rash.

The rollers were large kinda hard rubber with pins held in place with a circlip. Again, they looked pretty beefy. This dealer stocks all commonly replaced parts on SQ dryers. He said if there is any weakness, it is the timer module.

The cylinder has a felt(I guess) seal front and back. Has a drum light also. It will be standard rear discharge like the GE, no adapter kit needed for this install. Tipping it forward required a bit of muscle. In fact, it took us both to move it out so I could look at the business end of things. Yes, we all but took it apart but I wanted to know as much as possible before I parted with my hard earned money.

To be fair, or as fair as I can be, yes I looked at some other brands.
GE lost even though I was partial to GE due to the good service I got from mine. It lost because it was soooooooooo effing light, I could tip it easily with one hand and no effort. That made me wonder, how much was taken out in terms of metal and replaced with thinner metal or plastic? Then of course was the paltry 1 year warranty.

Maytag lost because well, it too seemed rather light on its feet. In addition, the drum was smaller but not by much vis a vis the SQ. The models I looked at had cheap feeling knobs and the drum itself responded with a light ping when tapped with my knuckles.

LG lost because I am biased towards buying American whenever possible and when it makes sense in terms of product quality and features.

Same thing for Samsung.

Frigidaire (sorry frigilux) lost because it looked and felt like a barely assembled grab bag of nuts and bolts. The door opening was small and the door itself felt like if you slammed it one time too many, it would collapse. And it was made, not assembled, in Mexico. Big time deal breaker here!

So all in all, I hope I made the best choice. A dryer is a basic device, just blow warmed air over and through clothes, shut off when dry. Not too complicated here.

At no time did I venture to Sears, Lowes, or HD. I already knew what I would find.

The only twerk is even on the TOL dryer, SQ stopped supplying a dryer rack. Bollocks! I emailed them so we'll see what happens on this. After all they sent me a hat, laptop bag, and cup so maybe they'll send me a rack. Not going to pay $30 for some bent/welded wire. Hell, I can probably fashion one from some steel rod.

And no, I doubt I will put vids on youtube. :)


Post# 731567 , Reply# 6   1/29/2014 at 15:20 (3,732 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
Kudos to having that machine opened up, I have walked into Sears with a scerwdriver and pliers, I wanted any machine I was thinking of purchasing opened as well, and wanting to know how well made and if I could do adjustments to it...and have gotten different reactions as well from it, if not thrown out.....

for one, I too would go with the matched set, and you could not have done better than the SQ for the money......

I agree with GE's feeling a bit tinny or light materials used in the construction, way too flimsy in my opinion...

congrats!


Post# 731599 , Reply# 7   1/29/2014 at 17:10 (3,732 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture

No offense taken. My Frigidaire dryer works beautifully, but it certainly doesn't have the build quality of a Speed Queen.  Besides, it just wouldn't seem right if you didn't have the mate for your AWN542.  Congrats on your new purchase!


Post# 731614 , Reply# 8   1/29/2014 at 18:23 (3,732 days old) by washman (o)        
Frig

You are correct, the build quality just wasn't there. And knowing people in this country are hurting for jobs, I just could not from a moral perspective, purchase an offshore machine.

Oh stay tuned, I am almost ready to wash all my cleaning rags with Sears detergent. I haven't forgotten my pledge! I have 6 safety pins that I will put on the dirtiest ones to "mark" them so when done, I can see how well it cleaned.


Post# 731758 , Reply# 9   1/30/2014 at 11:27 (3,731 days old) by mtn1584 (USA)        
I would have beaten you with a stick........................

if you didn't buy the SPEED QUEEN!!!! Congrats on your purchase I know you will be very satisfied! Money well spent!
Mike


Post# 731769 , Reply# 10   1/30/2014 at 12:08 (3,731 days old) by washman (o)        
I know mtn1584

I never would have been forgiven here if I deviated from my established appliance buying practice.

Believe me, that thought was rattling around in my head when I looked at competing brands.


Post# 731850 , Reply# 11   1/30/2014 at 18:14 (3,731 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
forget the drying rack.....I have them for all my machines, and thought it was the coolest thing to have, and yet have never used any of them.....never had a reason to.....

JohnL's advice to why use so much energy to dry one pair of sneakers, versus all the free warm air coming from under the fridge, place them in front overnight, and dry by morning.....



Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy