Speed Queen DF7 stainless steel dryer door sagging

[biggpete]

I have a 2022 Speed Queen front load set FF7 & DR7, stainless steel version. The door to the dryer started sagging from the hing area after about a year of use. I wasn’t sure how it happened as I don’t place any weight or drape clothes over the door. However, at the time there was one other person using the machines. I eventually had it fixed under warranty.

Since the door hinges and frame were replaced I’m now the only one using the W/D. It’s now 4+ months since the repair and I noticed it sagging again and I am 100% sure there has not been ANY weight placed on that door. Has anyone else who have or has owned SQ dryers or have repaired them experienced this or knows what’s going on?

 

[combo52]

Sagging dryer door on a Speed Queen dryer

Hi Pete, I have occasionally seen loose screws or even badly worn hinges on these machines when they use commercially for a long time I don’t think I’ve ever seen a problem in normal home use unless somebody just fell on the door or something and really bent it, make sure all the screws are tight obviously.

Other than that at the door is still having problems. You just have to figure out what is bent and replace it. It’s easy to do. Luckily these are very simple drivers to work on.

John

 

[biggpete]

Sagging dryer door on a Speed Queen

Hey John, thanks for responding to my post. I’m very grateful and thankful that you did because I know you have decades of experience with SQ’s and appliance repair.

Some things I want to mention in response to your comments. As you probably already know with a repair like this SQ did authorize the repair company to replace the whole front panel that the dryer door screws into. The repair also included new screws and new hinges. The repair man was comfortable with me watching the whole repair take place. “I did make sure to ask first as I totally get people not liking to be watched. Lol! Can be quite distracting if you ask my opinion on the matter.” At the end of the repair I did observe him screw in the new screws tight and of course he didn’t over tighten them or anything.

That was approx 4 months ago and within the last 2 weeks it started to sag again. I caught it early. I did retighten the screws. However, this time they don’t come to a point where they stop turning. It will tighten up some then keep turning. So I just found the, ‘happy medium’, with those screws and just left them. It does seem to be holding as of now. The only screw that was still fully tight was the bottom screw just like the first time I experienced this, the bottom screw was always the only screw that was totally tight.

I totally agree with you these machines are the best and extremely easy to work on. I’ll take a sagging door any day of the year over broken control panels, broken door locks, bearings that go out within a handful of years, etc….

I do have a few questions.

(1) is the actual stainless steel cabinetry the same material as what’s used on the white colored machines? I’ve heard it is not but I also don’t know what type of metal cabinetry the other machines (white version) use.

(2) ‘if’ there is a difference in material, is the stainless steel as strong as the other cabinetry used with the other non-stainless machines?

(3) what is your thoughts on me taking off the dryer door and inserting anchors into the holes where the screws go and then screwing the door back on to the anchors? (Anchors that are reminiscent of drywall anchors but using ones made for either metal or appliances)

 

[combo52]

Loose hinge screws on a Speed Queen dryer

Hi Pete, the stainless steel machines are made of real non-magnetic stainless steel, the white machines are painted steel, not really sure what this makes, but it could make a difference I suppose.

I would try getting just slightly larger screws and see if you can get those to hold and tighten Securely, you could also get small machine screws with little nuts and take the front panel off and attach the hinges with those using Loctite on the nuts that should keep it from ever loosening. You could also get small steel Speed clips and put them behind the front panel and use the original screws.

Of course, if the dryer is still under warranty, you could try to get Speed Queen to try to make a better repair if you were in our service area of course we would take care of this type of problem.

I have the stainless steel Speed Queen washer like yours as does my partner Jason I bought him one as a housewarming gift. Neither of us have the dryer and I don’t need another dryer as I wasn’t concerned about anything matching since there’s 10 different laundry appliances in each of our laundry rooms or more.

But I have not seen this problem on the stainless steel dryers however I’ve seen less than a dozen of the all stainless dryers over the years.

John

 

[biggpete]

Sagging dryer door on a Speed Queen

Hey John,

Apologies for the late response. My personal schedule was altered a little bit due to the hurricane. All is well though.

Thank you again for the additional information. I didn't mention it prior but I was thinking about using the steel Speed clips. I'm glad you mentioned it. I'll get to the bottom of it either way.

Lol! I wish I had a partner that bought me washers! I did however have to buy my parents a new washer a couple years ago. I went with a SQ TC-5003 insuring myself that I would never have to hear them bitch about a broken washer again. So far so good. It's definitely an awesome old school design machine. Thanks again for all your help!