My Smartload has, after only a few loads, developed a creaking sound as it goes. It sounds like it's coming from the drum. How do I fix this? Can I just put some sort of lubricant on it? Where?
Smartload Question...
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Can you describe the sound? Is it kind of "rubbery?" Does it make the sound continuously, or just when the drum stops/restarts during reversals? Mine does that, after it gets heated and going. I think it's the belt, or maybe rubber drum support rollers (if there are any, I'm not sure on that).
Jamie, can you make a guess where is the heating element in the SmartLoad? It may not be where you think.....
Jamie, can you make a guess where is the heating element in the SmartLoad? It may not be where you think.....
It sounds a little more plasticky than rubbery. It doesn't make the sound continuously, it's almost as though a certain part of the drum itself were creaking. But since I don't know how fast the drum is turning, it could be something else turning at a speed relatively close to the speed of the drum. It's certainly not the fan, that's going too fast, I think.
The heatin element. Well, seeing as how you think I wouldn't know, I'm gonna guess that it's in an odd location. Perhaps near the drum belt and/or the motor? Probably on the bottom rather than the side as it seems that the drum is pretty much the full width of hte machine.
The heatin element. Well, seeing as how you think I wouldn't know, I'm gonna guess that it's in an odd location. Perhaps near the drum belt and/or the motor? Probably on the bottom rather than the side as it seems that the drum is pretty much the full width of hte machine.
You are correct. Heating element is in a heater box on the bottom beneath the drum. There's a duct that leads to the right side of the drum.
By the way, there's a manual-resettable overheat safety stat on front of the heater box. Red button.
Motor is in the back on the right side.
As for the creaking, have you leveled it properly? If not, do so and see if that helps the noise. Mechanical tolerances are kind of tight for the drum rotation, you need to be sure the cabinet is level and true-to-square.
If you want to see the drum rotation, either trick the lid latch, or raise the top deck so you can see it with the lid closed/latched. Remove the two lid bumpers, pull the screws to raise the top. BE CAREFUL if running it with the drum exposed!
After raising the top, there are two screws to remove the front panel. Pull the screws, then it pulls up and off (fits into slots at the bottom). There's a ground wire attached to the lower edge of the front panel.
By the way, there's a manual-resettable overheat safety stat on front of the heater box. Red button.
Motor is in the back on the right side.
As for the creaking, have you leveled it properly? If not, do so and see if that helps the noise. Mechanical tolerances are kind of tight for the drum rotation, you need to be sure the cabinet is level and true-to-square.
If you want to see the drum rotation, either trick the lid latch, or raise the top deck so you can see it with the lid closed/latched. Remove the two lid bumpers, pull the screws to raise the top. BE CAREFUL if running it with the drum exposed!
After raising the top, there are two screws to remove the front panel. Pull the screws, then it pulls up and off (fits into slots at the bottom). There's a ground wire attached to the lower edge of the front panel.
Well, I'd take it apart, but I don't wanna void the warranty. Plus, I leveled it after about 3 loads went through. Then it started to creak. I guess I'll just have to see if it goes away...
No harm if you just raise the top for a look.
Or if you feel like doing a bit of a test, get the machine going, then pull the plug. The lid will unlock (it can't lock without power). Open the lid and rotate the drum manually to see if it "feels" ok and if there is any odd noise. You won't be able to turn it manually at normal speed, but maybe the noise will show up anyway.
Can you take a video clip to catch the noise when it's running?
Or if you feel like doing a bit of a test, get the machine going, then pull the plug. The lid will unlock (it can't lock without power). Open the lid and rotate the drum manually to see if it "feels" ok and if there is any odd noise. You won't be able to turn it manually at normal speed, but maybe the noise will show up anyway.
Can you take a video clip to catch the noise when it's running?
I'll try to both pull the plug and video tape the noise tonight. We'll see how it goes then...
