GE Heavy Duty dryer repair

[raerae]

Hi all,

The belt broke on my GE dryer that I'm in the process of repairing. I was able to get the belt on/in position but now realize the wheel on the spring pulley has been compromised. It seems when the belt broke the wheel came off along with some of the components that held it on the pulley lever. Is this worth repairing?? (I really want to keep this dryer going if not too much of a hassle.)

I was able to easily find the right belt but I can't find the wheel piece anywhere online. The wheel itself is fine except it's missing a few things to secure it to the lever rod. It seems there's a small piece that sits in the inner hole that's missing because it sits unevenly on the rod. There is one intact (inner) piece on one side but not the outer... not sure if it disintegrated or what... I've looked all over the bottom of the dryer but only found a small washer, broken ?washer and c-clip which doesn't fit tightly on the rod anymore (see second to last pict for these items). I'm wondering if I can find a few small items at the hardware store to make this work?

Thanks for any advice!

Also, I'm really curious what year this dryer is ... from the serial number (AS) it's either 1973 or 1985.

 

[appliguy]

It is.......

definitely a 1973 model. The 1985 version had a different style control panel. PATRICK COFFEY

 

[good-shepherd]

Is this worth repairing??

Yes.

Vintage GE dryers are workhorses.

 

[pulltostart]

That must be a very early 1973 model, as that was the year that GE changed the graphics on the console.  This one still uses the graphics that were introduced in 1967.

 

lawrence

 

[swestoyz]

This appears to be a 1972 large capacity N series model made in early 1973. Certainly worth fixing.

The roller pictured looks like the original style WE12X47. There are a few NOS options on ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/204743565382

Ben

 

[raerae]

thank you and update

Thank you everyone for your replies! Glad I found this platform. From your responses & the serial # this is a January 1973 model. Wow, over 50 years old! This machine adds a new definition to "heavy duty".

I ended up getting the roller & belt on. I added a similar size washer to replace the broken one and because the c-clamp wouldn't stay I put a shear pin on it. I hope that does the trick and keeps this going. The dryer sounds a little different than before and it's difficult to tell if the drum is running a bit tighter than before but maybe that's the new belt. Here's to hoping I put things back together correctly and the motor keeps running!

 

[good-shepherd]

The dryer sounds a little different

Did you check the rear nylon drum bearing and front slide pads while you had it apart?

They could be very worn after 50 years.

 

[appnut]

This has to be one of the earliest of the BigLoad large capacity GE dryers. I got hte equivalent to this in 1978. My mom got one in late 1978 or early 1979.

 

[pulltostart]

Bob,

This Extra Large Capacity dryer was introduced by GE in the 1970 model year, along with the 18 lb washer.

 

lawrence

 

[appnut]

Lawrence, thank you for the clarification. I kind of knew, but I also wanted anyoe who hasn't seen my comments in the passt that I had this large capacity dryer at one time.

 

[raerae]

Did you check the drum bearing & front slide pads?

This is something I did not do (I'm a newly learning diy'er). Perhaps I should take it apart again and double check? What I did do was add some oil to the motor shaft (sorry I don't know the proper technical terms so may be using the wrong terms) and the backside of the drum shaft (there was cover on the back where I could access the backside of the drum). I was glad I didn't need to take the drum off to get the new belt on. I've noticed the dryer doesn't sound as squeaky as it did, at least when it first starts up. The new sound is kind of like a soft clickety clack sound as it spins.

To access the drum bearing would I need to take the drum off?
And if the front slide pads are bad are they something that can be replaced?
Any other maintenance tips are appreciated.

 

[good-shepherd]

would I need to take the drum off?

Probably, thats how its done on the standard size GE dryers to remove the drum bearing. Not a big deal once you have it apart.

Slides and the nylon drum can be replaced, both are common wear items. If a slide goes metal on metal it can damage the drum.

Drum bearing looks like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3538993795...LoohuvtNxS5H4FVS6Tz5t4Ou4=|tkp:BlBMUNCoqKPNZA

 

[combo52]

Servicing a 1973 super capacity GE dryer

If you expect this dryer to last many more years, you should tear it completely apart. Take the front off. Check the condition of the front drum slides, and also check the condition of the rear bearing if it was noisy and you put oil on it. It’s worn out it’s not supposed to be oiled that means it was down to metal on metal.

You should also check the heating elements to make sure they’re not sagging and getting ready to short out. You also need to clean every bit of lint out of the two ends of the motor so it doesn’t overheat.

If you do a good servicing job on a machine like this, it could last another decade or so depending on the amount of use it gets.

John

 

[raerae]

another update

So I took it apart again and found the slide pads are still good with the plastic intact. I don't think I have it in me to take the drum off to check the drum bearing, at least for now. Looks like there are 3 screws to get the drum off and I should probably enlist a helping hand to handle that large drum.

I did a fair amount of vacuuming when I initially had it apart. I was still puzzled by the noise but when I had it apart the second time it seemed it was coming from the motor or around that area. Now yesterday after trying it out again the sound was gone! And it's quieter than before the repair. After talking to an acquaintance he said it was probably something in the fan that got loose when taking it apart and moving it around.

Thanks again for the tips and links to the replacement parts.