Kenmore Dryer Drum Is Not Turning Freely & Smells

Gliders

• A Kenmore dryer won’t turn properly if its gliders are worn. Gliders are thin plastic or rubber protective barriers that fit over the drum’s edges to prevent the drum’s metal exterior from scraping the metal dryer cabinet when it turns. If the gliders wear down, they can become stuck in between the drum and the cabinet, impacting the drum’s ability to turn freely. Sometimes a worn glider can create a gap between the drum and cabinet where clothes can become trapped. Although rare, if wet laundry gets stuck in the gap and goes unnoticed, it may produce a mildew smell in the washer. Removing the item and cleaning the gap should eliminate the odor. Obtain a new pair of gliders from Kenmore or an appliance parts retailer, and change out the old glider set for the new set to improve the drum’s turning abilities.

Rollers

• Small metal or plastic wheels line the outside of the drum and assist it to make consistent circular motions. Occasionally, a roller may come off its track or break, which can hamper a drum’s turning movement and cause the dryer to screech or whine during each drum rotation. Review your Kenmore dryer’s manual for help finding the rollers. You’ll likely need to remove the dryer’s main access panel to get a clear view of the drum and the components that support it. Inspect each roller individually. If you spot one that appears broken, slowly turn the drum manually to see if it moves freely. Once you confirm that a roller is bad, replace the entire set.

Belt and Motor

• If your Kenmore dryer has a belt that helps turn the drum, ensure that the belt hasn’t slipped. A belt that has come loose and moved from its location, usually at the drum’s center, not only can inhibit it from turning easily, but also produce a burnt rubber smell in the dryer. Of course, if the belt is completely broken, the drum won’t turn at all. Remove the dryer’s main access panel to inspect the belt. Give the belt a gentle tug. A belt that’s in good condition shouldn’t move. If the belt moves easily, its rubber fibers are visible or is completely severed, replace it.

  Upon inspecting the belt, if you discover that it’s in good condition and hasn’t shifted, it’s possible that the dryer’s motor has burned out, which may explain why the drum won’t turn and why the dryer smells. Contact a Kenmore dryer repair specialist to service the dryer.

Lint Tray and Venting System

• Sometimes the issue with the drum not turning freely might be a separate issue from the bad smell in your dryer, and thus you’ll need to address each problem independently. Clean the lint tray of your Kenmore dryer regularly and ensure that the dryer’s vent is clear of lint buildup. Lint that collects in either of these two places can cause small fires to erupt in the drum. While these small fires usually often go out on their own, they can produce a strong odor of burnt fabric that will linger in the drum even after the fire goes out. Empty the lint tray and vacuum out the vent. Place several clean, damp towels in the dryer and set it for a full drying cycle. Repeat the process two or three times until the odor is gone.