The Dad Advice Thread
 

The Creepy Uncle Thread is next door.

For those of us who lack a dad to turn to when life throws us curveballs and our mom wouldn’t know.


Hi Dads,

I’m having an issue with a squealing dryer. How do I know if it’s the belt or something worse without opening it up? I’m afraid of opening it and not being able to put it back together, but I don’t want to pay someone to do it if it’s ultimately an easy fix just bc I’m intimidated by aluminum panels.

The squeal could be a number of different thing. I'd have to hear the squeal and know model number, and even then I couldn't guarantee the answer is right. Best advice I can give is open it up and see if you can figure out what's wrong. You'll either break it and have to replace it or you'll figure it out and fix it.

Your dad Bob Vila

Also, “moms” are capable too. My wife is a master at mechanical things.
I’m more of an electrical guy.

Are you a dad? This does not sound like dad advice.

the character development I aim for in life is going from being someone who needs this thread to being an Advice Dad

All right, I'm obviously not a dad, but I am old enough to be one. So let me give you some real advice.

Messing with dryers, washing machines, cookers etc when you have no clue can be very dangerous. I believe that's part of the reason Plankton's place burned down, a faulty dryer or dishwasher or something? They get very hot and can potentially go on fire, so if it's an issue, put your independent female spirit aside for a moment and go ring a repair guy. It's better to get it sorted safely even if you have to shell out a little than sit there every day or night wondering what that burning smell is.

I'm serious: don't mess with this kind of thing. Get a professional. It's just not worth taking the chance.

I agree with you Trollheart. Not that a squeaking dryer is about to burst into flames - that's very unlikely imo.
As a dad, I would have this problem: I take off a panel, look inside and cannot possibly identify what's normal and what's not. Absolutely zero clue about identifying any problem.
That's why, for myself, I would either (i) learn to live with a dryer that squeaks or (ii) phone a guy who knows what he is doing.

How to Fix a Squeaky Clothes Dryer

I've found that squealing/screeching sounds often mean that a moving part has worn bearings.

Personally, from my very limited knowledge and experience of having to replace one (the whole dryer) it sounds like it's either the belt has worn down/stopped working or the drum is ****ed. Either require replacement but again, when dealing with something that can literally burn your house down, I would be very very cautious.

FYI

Dryer fires are more common than you think

Go ahead and remove the panel and take a look Steph. You'll be ok. I'd rub a bar of soap on the pulley side of the belt. They sell belt lubricant too. If it's still squeaking it's probably a pulley, or ^ drum.