speed queen model 108 HELP!

[speedqueen108]

My wife and I moved into what was her grandparents house since the early 50's. This dryer has been there since then (when ever that was) it is a Speed Queen model 108 from the late 50's early 60's, and seems to be in very good shape.

Just about 10 days ago our dryer stopped spinning - well it spins with nothing in it, but when you put anything in it - the resistance will not let it spin. The belts and pullys are fine, it seems to be in the main drum-shaft.

Looking for advise on repair, finding parts, or what to do with it if we purchase a new one. I am a believer that older items are built better, I would like to see a new model dryer last 46 years.

and life without a dryer... is hard do deal with (hard cloths that is)

 

[Unimatic1140]

Well if the belts are OK and they are turning but the drum is not turning then most likely the drum shaft has gone bad. That is a major problem and the only way really to fix it would be to find another SQ dryer of the same era and swap out parts. I'm sure those parts are long gone, have you contacted Speed Queen?

You also might try modern parts house in Parma, OH, he has a large stock of old parts.

 

[speedqueen108]

Thanks for your reply,

Last night I looked at it again and saw a kind of set screw from the pully to the shaft. I loosend the screw aligned the shaft with the pully and then tightend the screw. It then worked, I ran one successful load last night! I will try more this evening.

I'm not sure if the shaft is still bad, going bad or not - time will tell I suppose. I will keep your email with the modern parts house in mind.

Yes, I contacted SQ, and the two people whom I was able to contact didn't seem to want to help much. One gave me the local repair person contact info and the other one offered me a parts book, and if I wanted to post my story on the website.

Personnaly I think it's a pretty good story.

Do other people out there think that it's worth keeping this machine running?

 

[oldwasherguy]

yes!

If you can keep it going, machines from the 50s and 60s are the best to have. Don

 

[thirtyater]

Yes, we want to keep it running if we can and DON'T trash it! You may not want to use it as your main machine though. You may want to check the fan shaft too. The fan is bad about locking up on those old SQ's.