Hello all. Time to seek advice of the experts.
Dryer is a Speed Queen model AES68AWF. Purchased new in 2005. Great unit.
We do a lot of laundry and over the last 19 years it has weathered an unbelievable amount of cycles. Many, many hours on this unit.
It has been superbly maintained by yours-truly through the years. Whenever it developed a squeak, it got new rollers, glides - throw in a belt. Idler was changed a while back. After about twelve years I changed all the thermostats and safety cutouts just as maintenance. You get the idea. Since the unit is worked pretty hard I did not hold back on maintenance.
However, it is developing a new symptom and I am musing as how to handle it. It seems to be rather slow to start tumbling and really seems to struggle with heavy loads. One day I could feel that the drum was spinning WAY too slow and so I stopped it. I looked at the power-line monitor and the line voltage was 109. However this was an extremely hot day. I suspended laundry for the day thinking that line voltage dips may be a contributing factor.
The symptom did improve in the days following when the line bounced back to 118, however the dryer still struggles with heavier loads. The drum has a rather lethargic start. You all know what I am talking about. You start the dryer, your hand is on the cabinet and you say… Uh oh, this thing just isn’t doing too well.
Recently it was squeaking and I had the thing apart for a quick review. The rollers are glazed over, the belt seemed tight. Glides looked ok. HOWEVER, that felt gasket that the drum rides on has a very deep groove in it. I wonder if that felt gasket has given up the ghost.
The problem is, how do you replace it? I DO have the SQ service manual and admit that I haven’t looked at it, so I am being lazy and asking you.
Ages ago, the felt gasket failed on our 1968 Hotpoint. My father, an engineer for Hotpoint, could never get that gasket to stay in place after he replaced it. I fear that if I attempt this felt gasket replacement I’ll end up with a real mess if I don’t know what I am doing BEFORE I go into tear down.
There is also a chance that the motor is just tired.
I suspect what I will do is another mini-refurb with new belt, idler, glides and rollers and cross the fingers. However, all expert advice from this group is appreciated as I try to squeak this unit into its 20th year of operation. Thx much!
Dryer is a Speed Queen model AES68AWF. Purchased new in 2005. Great unit.
We do a lot of laundry and over the last 19 years it has weathered an unbelievable amount of cycles. Many, many hours on this unit.
It has been superbly maintained by yours-truly through the years. Whenever it developed a squeak, it got new rollers, glides - throw in a belt. Idler was changed a while back. After about twelve years I changed all the thermostats and safety cutouts just as maintenance. You get the idea. Since the unit is worked pretty hard I did not hold back on maintenance.
However, it is developing a new symptom and I am musing as how to handle it. It seems to be rather slow to start tumbling and really seems to struggle with heavy loads. One day I could feel that the drum was spinning WAY too slow and so I stopped it. I looked at the power-line monitor and the line voltage was 109. However this was an extremely hot day. I suspended laundry for the day thinking that line voltage dips may be a contributing factor.
The symptom did improve in the days following when the line bounced back to 118, however the dryer still struggles with heavier loads. The drum has a rather lethargic start. You all know what I am talking about. You start the dryer, your hand is on the cabinet and you say… Uh oh, this thing just isn’t doing too well.
Recently it was squeaking and I had the thing apart for a quick review. The rollers are glazed over, the belt seemed tight. Glides looked ok. HOWEVER, that felt gasket that the drum rides on has a very deep groove in it. I wonder if that felt gasket has given up the ghost.
The problem is, how do you replace it? I DO have the SQ service manual and admit that I haven’t looked at it, so I am being lazy and asking you.
Ages ago, the felt gasket failed on our 1968 Hotpoint. My father, an engineer for Hotpoint, could never get that gasket to stay in place after he replaced it. I fear that if I attempt this felt gasket replacement I’ll end up with a real mess if I don’t know what I am doing BEFORE I go into tear down.
There is also a chance that the motor is just tired.
I suspect what I will do is another mini-refurb with new belt, idler, glides and rollers and cross the fingers. However, all expert advice from this group is appreciated as I try to squeak this unit into its 20th year of operation. Thx much!
