GM Frigidaire 1-18: dryer drum (Unholy) Rollers and washer pump leak!

Greetings and salutations.

Recently I adopted a Frigidaire 1-18 washer (WC) and dryer (DEC) set from a fellow appliance enthusiast. We knew that the dryer ran a bit rough and that it might need a bit of fine tuning. It had the usual rumbling and thought perhaps it needed new drum rollers and/or a lithium grease temporary fix to quiet it. I can�t say that I�ve ever seen a discussion of specifics of 1-18 dryer roller replacement problems on this website, only questions regarding the search for parts.

If I had to, I was going to replace the rollers, and assumed it would run like new. That wasn�t quite the case. On inspection, only the front left roller seemed a bit stiff. The others seemed to at least look fine and spun smoothly, so I ordered only two of them. They were installed as a pair on the left and right front of the dryer. I installed them just as the directions contained in the part package (for a four roller setup).

At any rate, as the instructions indicated, I flipped the unit on its front, removed the belt, idler arm and rear duct. When removing the drum I carefully worked the front rollers out from under the lip of the front drum edge, and pulled out the drum out. I then replaced the rollers in the exact (same holes) positions as the originals. I carefully reversed order when replacing the parts. I then turned the unit on, to find it noisier than before. It looked like it was chewing up the rubber on the new roller in the right front. The alignment didn�t seem correct. Though the felt seals were properly located, there was more of a loose space in the drum; as it could slide between the front and rear with a bit too much of a gap. The only other thing I was concerned about, was the fact that the bottom right front of the cabinet under the filter opening, seems a bit loose. It may be too flexible, which might have effected drum alignment. So I�m wondering what I missed or forgot to do. Hopefully it�s something simple.

At this point, I�ve ordered and received a total of four more new rollers, and want to do this again and get it right. I will try replacing all four at the same time. Maybe that was part of the problem.

In regard to the washer, we found what we thought as a small leak from a loose hose clamp when we first ran it. It turns out that it was not a loose clamp, but a leak coming from some area at the top of the pump. Though it�s hard to tell, as water was dripping in different spots. It definitely wasn�t the �cork� center divider seal of the pump where the leak originates.

I may be able to get another pump or complete base and mechanism, but I was just wondering how difficult a task replacing the pump alone might be. Obviously the cabinet will be removed to work on it, but must the base, springs and snubber parts be disassembled as well to access the pump? I�ll download the repair information if I have to, but I was wondering what others have experienced when repairing or replacing the pump. Anyone have an extra seal fix kit (wishful thinking), if there is such a thing, to sell perhaps?

Feedback about both units would be great. Any non-insulting comments, thoughts and/or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!


Forum Topics & Rules Manuals & Literature	New users Click-here to sign-up

Post# 777214 8/13/2014 at 22:04 (3,536 days old) by keny (Detroit, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes Greetings and salutations. Recently I adopted a Frigidaire 1-18 washer (WC) and dryer (DEC) set from a fellow appliance enthusiast. We knew that the dryer ran a bit rough and that it might need a bit of fine tuning. It had the usual rumbling and thought perhaps it needed new drum rollers and/or a lithium grease temporary fix to quiet it. I can�t say that I�ve ever seen a discussion of specifics of 1-18 dryer roller replacement problems on this website, only questions regarding the search for parts. If I had to, I was going to replace the rollers, and assumed it would run like new. That wasn�t quite the case. On inspection, only the front left roller seemed a bit stiff. The others seemed to at least look fine and spun smoothly, so I ordered only two of them. They were installed as a pair on the left and right front of the dryer. I installed them just as the directions contained in the part package (for a four roller setup). At any rate, as the instructions indicated, I flipped the unit on its front, removed the belt, idler arm and rear duct. When removing the drum I carefully worked the front rollers out from under the lip of the front drum edge, and pulled out the drum out. I then replaced the rollers in the exact (same holes) positions as the originals. I carefully reversed order when replacing the parts. I then turned the unit on, to find it noisier than before. It looked like it was chewing up the rubber on the new roller in the right front. The alignment didn�t seem correct. Though the felt seals were properly located, there was more of a loose space in the drum; as it could slide between the front and rear with a bit too much of a gap. The only other thing I was concerned about, was the fact that the bottom right front of the cabinet under the filter opening, seems a bit loose. It may be too flexible, which might have effected drum alignment. So I�m wondering what I missed or forgot to do. Hopefully it�s something simple. At this point, I�ve ordered and received a total of four more new rollers, and want to do this again and get it right. I will try replacing all four at the same time. Maybe that was part of the problem. In regard to the washer, we found what we thought as a small leak from a loose hose clamp when we first ran it. It turns out that it was not a loose clamp, but a leak coming from some area at the top of the pump. Though it�s hard to tell, as water was dripping in different spots. It definitely wasn�t the �cork� center divider seal of the pump where the leak originates. I may be able to get another pump or complete base and mechanism, but I was just wondering how difficult a task replacing the pump alone might be. Obviously the cabinet will be removed to work on it, but must the base, springs and snubber parts be disassembled as well to access the pump? I�ll download the repair information if I have to, but I was wondering what others have experienced when repairing or replacing the pump. Anyone have an extra seal fix kit (wishful thinking), if there is such a thing, to sell perhaps? Feedback about both units would be great. Any non-insulting comments, thoughts and/or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Post# 777232 , Reply# 1 8/14/2014 at 00:02 (3,536 days old) by hippiedoll ( arizona )
Checkrate/Likes *hey there keny!!* CONGRATULATIONS on your new (to you) frigidaire adoptions!!! sorry i can't offer any advice on repairing the frigidaires. but i can't wait till you get them up & running!!! keep us updated and remember to take pictures!!! keeping my fingers crossed for you that it isn't too tough to get these up & running perfectly.... :o)

Post# 777278 , Reply# 2 8/14/2014 at 06:02 (3,536 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio)
Checkrate/Likes *Dryer* My 1-18 dryer has now and then been a headache, but still runs 35 years later. Aligning the rollers and drum is kind of trial and error, especially since the entire cabinet wants to spread apart when the rear duct assembly is unscrewed. I havem't had mine apart in two years so I'm hazy on that assembly but I do remember it re-aligns the entire cabinet, wow. I will keep watching this post for other (better) advice on 1-18 re-assembly and alignment, it's not an easy task. Now and then something just has to be tried a second time. Like you said, it's unholy. But I have had roller luck with simply popping the rubber wheels off the shaft, cleaning both the shaft and the inside of the wheel, using one drop of oil so as not to attract more dust, and re-assembling.

Post# 777282 , Reply# 3 8/14/2014 at 06:12 (3,536 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)
Checkrate/Likes I don't remember for sure about the GM Frigidaire dryers, but the WCI clones had a tendency to warp the front support. Make sure they are aligned right.

Post# 777407 , Reply# 4 8/15/2014 at 04:09 (3,535 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)
Checkrate/Likes On mine, I also replaced some rollers that weren't that bad... In fact, I replaced them 4 and just like yours, it seemed worse after and there was a screeching noise... I tried a lot of things to make it run smoother and managed to make it better by slightly bending parts near the rollers... It's still noisier than my older dryers but I don't think I could do much more about that! It does dry clothes faster than my other dryers and I don't use it much anyway so it doesn't bother me!