Need help disassembling a new model Kenmore 600 Series dryer

[murando531]

Hey guys,

So I've had this newer dryer for almost 2 years, and here in the past few months a particularly annoying racket has started somewhere inside and I can't seem to find the culprit from just removing the service panel. The machine is properly leveled, not touching the side of the washer or wall or vibrating against anything, and I've checked tightness of every bolt and screw and clip that I can see. It sounds like a plasticky rattle and seems to be coming from the back right somewhere. I would love to be able to get the cabinet open and take the drum out to check that everything is in order, as well as do a thorough cleaning, but this new control panel design makes any service instructions I can find on 27" Whirlpool dryers unusable.

There don't seem to be any screws or clips that allow the control panel to flip open, no hinge system on the back or any locking tabs in the front to pop open with a putty knife, and there's so little room in my laundry room that if at all possible I'd rather not have to pull the machine out of the room to get it apart.

Does anyone have any experience with the newer 27" Whirlpool/Kenmore dryers? It's the match to a VMW-Oasis washer, but not an actual Cabrio dryer, it's still the same 27" front mounted lint-filter design they've had for years, only with an electronic control panel and the tilted top panel. Any help would be great!! Thanks guys.

 

[runematic]

I believe there are 2 hidden clips under the control panel, one on each side. Take a thin hard plastic putty knife, push back on control panel, slip knife under each corner & pop the clips. The rest is typical 27" dryer.

 

[washdaddy]

Have you taken the kickplate off the front of the dryer to check the vent blower and make sure nothing is rattling around in side of it. Check down along the floor near each corner of the machine for a couple of screws to remove. Then you should be able to reach the blower assembly inside plus take a look around in the bottom of the dryer.

 

 

[murando531]

That was perfect @runematic! Thank you!! I was afraid to shove anything under because it looks so sealed..there's a foam liner around the bottom edge of the panel, so at first all I heard was foam squeaking against the putty knife. I pushed on the top of the panel a bit more and finally felt the clips.

The difference with this machine is that instead of the panel hinging and flipping up and back, there is no hinge. You have to unscrew three screws on the back, and then the entire panel pops off, though you have to disconnect the one wire harness from the panel to the logic board. Was a little trickier than the older models, but thankfully no injuries to me or the machine. From there, two screws are bolting the top to the back panel, and after removing those the top slides forward and off like normal.

Couldn't find anything suspicious at all. Just a typical amount of lint buildup in the fan, but nothing foreign. Checked every screw, bolt, and fastener, again, nothing off, there were only a few that could turn a slight bit, but couldn't be causing a rattle. The only thing I could think of as a possibility was a wire harness that won't fit snug, so I secured it with tape. So, accomplishing nothing except to super clean the interior, I carefully reassembled everything, taking care to make sure things were aligned and snug. Turned it on and after the rollers and belt realigned themselves, couldn't hear any rattles at all. So, I washed a load of towels and got them to the dryer, and again, couldn't hear anything.

So, problem could be solved, but I won't be shocked if it starts again. The problem in this house is that we're on a slab foundation; the tile floors only have minimal padding in the form of the adhesive, which means the tile is practically concrete itself. Sounds seem to amplify because the flooring gives nothing in the form of absorbing vibration. The rattle could have been a tiny little harness but the echoes made it incessant and annoying.

Anyhow, thank you both for the help!! If anything, should the rattle come back, I'll feel more comfortable to just pull the entire machine out into the open of the kitchen so I can also investigate behind the back panel.

Cheers!!