- The tumbler inside a dryer is made of plastic and is affixed to the dryer drum with a metal screw. After several years of hard use, the plastic may begin to warp and cause the screw to work its way out. With every rotation of the drum, the loosened screw may be making a thumping noise against the dryer's metal frame. The tumbler may need to be replaced if the loose screw cannot be tightened or reset.
- The tumbling action of most dryers is achieved using a motor-driven belt that wraps completely around the dryer drum. If a drum belt is worn, it will make a thumping noise while the dryer is running. A broken belt will prevent the drum from turning at all. To diagnose this possible problem, open the dryer door and turn the drum manually. If the thumping noise corresponds to the speed at which you are moving the drum, you have a worn belt.
- The belt tension in a dryer is controlled by a heavy spring that keeps the belts from making excessive noise. In most cases, dryer belts break due to the spring's tension rather than simply wearing down. Often the thumping noise is caused by the idler pulley that keeps tension on the belt. Rollers or drum glides can also wear out and produce a thumping noise.
- If several individuals or family members have access to your dryer, the answer to your thumping noise may not be mechanical at all. Check inside your dryer for objects that can move about and tumble against the sides of the drum while the dryer is in motion. A pair of running shoes can make an horrendous noise if not confined to the drying rack that many newer dryers feature to keep heavier objects in place while the other clothes tumble dry.
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