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Kenmore Dryer Drum Roller Replacement - Signs & How-To

3 min read
⚡ Quick Answer

Thumping, squealing, or binding drum? Worn drum support rollers cause noise and rough rotation. Replacing both rollers restores smooth tumbling.

Difficulty Intermediate (DIY)
Est. time 15-60 min
Tools Multimeter , nut driver, screwdrivers

Kenmore Dryer Drum Roller Replacement — What This Part Does

Drum support rollers carry the weight of the drum as it rotates during a drying cycle. Each roller rides on a metal axle and is held in place by a tri-ring or triangular washer. The roller bearings allow smooth, quiet rotation under the load of wet laundry.

Over time, normal bearing wear, heat exposure, and loss of lubrication cause the rollers to develop flat spots, rough surfaces, or seized rotation. The drum then drags, thumps, or binds as the roller fails to spin freely on its axle. Technicians typically replace both rollers on the same support set because they wear at similar rates.

Jump to Replacement Steps

Signs It Needs Replacing

How to Replace It

  1. Unplug the dryer from the wall outlet to disconnect all electrical power before starting any repair work.
  2. Remove the lint screen, then lift the cabinet top or remove the front panel as required by your model to access the drum and roller assembly.
  3. Release tension on the drive belt by pushing the idler pulley toward the motor, then slip the belt off the motor pulley and idler pulley.
  4. Lift the drum out of the cabinet and set it aside on a clean surface.
  5. Spin each drum support roller by hand and inspect for rough rotation, noise, wobble, flat spots, or seized movement.
  6. Slide the old roller off the axle shaft and remove the tri-ring or triangular keeper washer if it is reusable, or replace it with a new one included in the roller kit.
  7. Slide the new roller onto the axle shaft, install the tri-ring keeper to secure it, and verify the roller spins freely by hand.
  8. Lower the drum back into the cabinet, route the belt around the drum, motor pulley, and idler pulley in the correct path, and check that belt tension is correct.
  9. Reinstall the front panel or cabinet top, plug in the dryer, and run a test cycle to verify smooth, quiet drum rotation with no thumping or binding.

The Part You Need

PartNotes
Drum support roller assemblyAmazon | Look for your full model and serial number on the metal tag inside the dryer door or on the frame. Order the correct roller kit for your exact Kenmore model, which typically includes the roller, axle, and tri-ring keeper clips. Many techs replace both rollers on the same support set at once.

If this part is failing you may also see one of these codes:

When to Call a Pro

If you are not comfortable removing the dryer cabinet panels, lifting the drum, or routing the belt correctly, call a qualified appliance technician. If the drum still binds or makes noise after replacing the rollers, the problem may be a worn idler pulley, bad drive belt, or damaged drum glide or bearing at the rear of the drum, and a tech can diagnose and repair all these components during the same service call.


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