Hotpoint Dryer VTD00G scraping on spin.

[Northbeach]

Hi.

My tumble dryer recently became half hearted, and following a 'burning smell' and lack of real drying capabilities (took an absolute age to dry and never really got particularly warm) I decided to investigate...

Anyhow, I replaced the thermostat (one of which wasn't showing continuity) and the heating element part of which had 'burned out' and snapped.
Whilst mucking around inside I vacuumed several tons (I was admittedly shocked by just how much fluff was inside despite having filter and outside pipe).

So, I turn the machine back on and it spins...and genuine heat is produced (the missus really wanted to get a new one all together so if this hadn't worked and we'd forked out for the part I'd be on the end of a bit of 'aggravation').

However...the machine seems to be scraping on every rotation...and I just cannot see where and why.
I have a feeling the front bearing felt maybe the culprit? The drum seems to be an inch off this rather than overlapping this (can't be sure as I didn't look at this before I took the machine apart. Other than that I've read it could be the bearing at the back, a part of which I could probably pick up quite easily. Other than that it might be possible I could turn the machine on it's front and hope (and tap/nudge) the drum falls back into place...but I'm sure it won't be that easy.

It seems to work except for this grating/scraping noise unfortunately.

Any pointers folks?

Cheers.

 

[rocks1]

Rear drum is scraping on rear panel. Been loads of mods for this large washer on the rear shaft to pull the drum near the front also rear felt seal on the cabinet. It's caused by fluff on the front felt pushing the drum back. Reason why fluff gets into the base is not cleaning the filter out every time. Also make sure it is level otherwise it will scrape. If you remove the lid and push the sides in slightly it wil scrape. Just don't breath or sneeze near it otherwise it will scrape as well.

 

[Northbeach]

Rear drum is scraping on rear panel. Been loads of mods for this large washer on the rear shaft to pull the drum near the front also rear felt seal on the cabinet. It's caused by fluff on the front felt pushing the drum back. Reason why fluff gets into the base is not cleaning the filter out every time. Also make sure it is level otherwise it will scrape. If you remove the lid and push the sides in slightly it wil scrape. Just don't breath or sneeze near it otherwise it will scrape as well.

Probably explains it then. Had a bit of trouble getting a 'solution' to take the lid off this model (found the easy way eventually) but I guess in doing so I've made the drum slip back ever so, ever so slightly. On listening to the noise again (paying particular attention to the back) it's clear that it's scraping the back panel.

Trouble is, I've no idea how to rectify this (at least if it was the back bearing I could replace the part). I've opened it up again and tried to shift the drum further forward onto the felt seal but to little avail.
Anything tips/mods out there?

Many thanks.

 

[rocks1]

Clean any fluff on front felt. Then make sure drum runs on the pads at the front all 4 of them. Make sure cabinet is square and level with lid on.

 

[Northbeach]

Clean any fluff on front felt. Then make sure drum runs on the pads at the front all 4 of them. Make sure cabinet is square and level with lid on.

Should the drum be placed over the felt i.e. butted over to the edge of the erm, 'thing' that the felt lies on??? Not sure I noticed any pads from above or from the side however - will I need to take the front of the machine off, or can I see the 4 pads from above? Might be easier if I take a photo to show you the position of the drum...but I'll attempt another fix and level in the meantime.

Many thanks.

 

[Northbeach]

Also...before I posted here, a bit of searching (for similar issue with this dryer) brought up drum shaft kit purchases (they kits seem to be very reasonably priced). Is it worth a look at the back of the machine by taking off that 'raised semi circle' cap (held by two screws, 2" x2" approx and looks like it houses an earth connection)?

Cheers.

 

[rocks1]

No need to remove the lid, right hand side panel to remove ,pads are at the bottom of drum. On the front inner panel drum goes over the felt seal. That's were the fluff builds up and pushes the drum back. As for the kit it's a drum shaft kit when the rear spindle breaks. The only thong you will need in that kit is the rear seal which is thicker and pushes the drum forward part no is 1703080. Once the side panel is off remove belt and top consol panel. Rear cup you mention has a pin in it to remove the drum. Drum comes out of the top and the rear seal is on the back panel. You can put a large washer on the shaft to push it forward.

 

[Northbeach]

No need to remove the lid, right hand side panel to remove ,pads are at the bottom of drum. On the front inner panel drum goes over the felt seal. That's were the fluff builds up and pushes the drum back. As for the kit it's a drum shaft kit when the rear spindle breaks. The only thong you will need in that kit is the rear seal which is thicker and pushes the drum forward part no is 1703080. Once the side panel is off remove belt and top consol panel. Rear cup you mention has a pin in it to remove the drum. Drum comes out of the top and the rear seal is on the back panel. You can put a large washer on the shaft to push it forward.

I'm all for giving this a go, but do I have to wear those type of pants?

I may also have read that the drum was 'glued' over that front felt seal? I've given it a thorough 'de fuzz' (literally a bin bags worth of fluff...and honestly, we do tend to clean the filter out every couple of days).

Forgive my lack of understanding (and I'll post a pic tomorrow) do I merely need to take the right side panel off and try and adjust the pads which should keep the drum towards the front? Then, if this doesn't cure it should I be looking at purchasing a rear seal (and a large washer)?

The right panel on my machine has a screw in it only accessible via taking the lid off if I remember correctly.

Thanks.

 

[rocks1]

Yes the screws are at the side rear 5 in total. Then you have one on top and one on the consol panel. There is one under the kickstrip and one on the bottom near the front foot plus 5 at the side. The side panel lifts off. You can put a washer on the rear and try it. The only THING you need in that kit is rear seal if all else fails you can get it on it's own. Regarding thongs I turned off spell checker on my iPhone that will teach me

 

[zipper]

I think the thong thing was an interesting twist

 

[Northbeach]

Yes the screws are at the side rear 5 in total. Then you have one on top and one on the consol panel. There is one under the kickstrip and one on the bottom near the front foot plus 5 at the side. The side panel lifts off. You can put a washer on the rear and try it. The only THING you need in that kit is rear seal if all else fails you can get it on it's own. Regarding thongs I turned off spell checker on my iPhone that will teach me

I'd honestly be lost without a spill checker

Will give this a go tomorrow and post pics. By the sounds of it (and from what you have also said), this machine has a bit of a design flaw - the build up of fluff (despite having a filter which is regularly cleaned) and the scraping of the back panel.

Well, I'll look at the pads some time on the morrow and see if I can adjust the drum forward a little - still not sure if the drum needs to fit directly over the front felt though (there is about an inch from the end of the front of the drum to the end of whatever the felt sits on).

Cheers again.

 

[Northbeach]

I think the thong thing was an interesting twist

Those thongs certainly twist something...erm, not that I've ever even considering wearing one. French knickers yes, but no...not a thong. Classless on the gentleman....anyway...is it feasible for me to fix my dryer and prove 'her indoors' wrong?!!

 

[rocks1]

Yes the drum goes over the front felt with just a little bit showing as it runs on the felt, the front lip on the drum covers almost all of it.
Unlike thongs.

 

[Northbeach]

Couldn't seem to get the side panel off without taking the lid off - seems impossible!
Anyway, have taken both side panels off so I can fully see the front pads and take out the front felt seal for a good clean. Pads seems ok, although one looks a little 'chipped' (shouldn't affect the running of the drum though).

Did you say you can purchase the rear seal on it's own or as part of the rea kit...I can't find a sole rear seal - all come with the kit so far (around £15).
Well, both side panels are off as is the lid and front panel is down also...really is in bits at the moment. Fortunately the belt around the drum looks in perfect condition...I really would not fancy putting a new one of those on. Hopefully this clean up and pad alignment will do it, otherwise I'll try and find a rear seal.

Cheers.

 

[rocks1]

Yes lid has to be remove part number for seal 1703078 that's the rear only.