How To Repair Cracked Dryer Drum

red 5 [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 7, 2007; 1502 posts; 241 upvotes; Canada

Nov 16th, 2010 7:05 pm

drum in dryer cracked... replace or?

I have a 6 y/o LG full sized dryer and the drum cracked a while ago and when it spins around it goes thump thump thump.

Should I replace the drum or just go out and buy a new dryer?

Nov 16th, 2010 7:27 pm

pshch: Sr. Member; Dec 9, 2007; 955 posts; 31 upvotes

Nov 16th, 2010 7:27 pm

Compare the cost. Last year around this time HD had a pretty decent LG dryer on sale for ~400$. Likely they will have something similar to it this year. If you be happy with something like this no sense to fix old one - it likely be more expensive. If you are looking at 1500$+ models then fixing it may be a worth option provided otherwise it's in a good shape.

Nov 16th, 2010 7:35 pm

red 5 [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 7, 2007; 1502 posts; 241 upvotes; Canada

Nov 16th, 2010 7:35 pm

I paid around $800 for mine when I bought it. Other then the thumping and the cracked drum the dryer works perfectly.

I think I may wait to see what it will cost to replace the drum but the technician who came over said even if he replaces the drum it may not spin around well anymore. Something to with it now being oval???

Model No of my LG dryer is: Dle2514w

Nov 16th, 2010 7:40 pm

red 5 [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 7, 2007; 1502 posts; 241 upvotes; Canada

Nov 16th, 2010 7:40 pm

Is there a big difference between a dryer with an aluminum drum vs a stainless steel drum?

Nov 16th, 2010 7:54 pm

venice_it: Deal Addict; Jan 11, 2007; 1259 posts; 177 upvotes; Brampton

Nov 16th, 2010 7:54 pm

I would try to see if an epoxy like JB Weld would work to fix your crack. It is pretty strong stuff and costs about $10 at Canadian Tire in the automotive section.

Nov 16th, 2010 7:56 pm

red 5 [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 7, 2007; 1502 posts; 241 upvotes; Canada

Nov 16th, 2010 7:56 pm

The crack is to long and the metal has bent. I don't think it would work.

Nov 16th, 2010 8:49 pm

JWL: Deal Guru; Nov 18, 2005; 11463 posts; 2916 upvotes; Kingston

Nov 16th, 2010 8:49 pm

Sorry about your bad luck with the dryer but it sounds like a replace it situation.

Nov 16th, 2010 9:53 pm

MacGyver: Deal Addict; Mar 8, 2002; 4232 posts; 875 upvotes; Ottawa

Nov 16th, 2010 9:53 pm

Replace it with anything but LG

LG = Lucky Goldstar

Nov 16th, 2010 9:56 pm

red 5 [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 7, 2007; 1502 posts; 241 upvotes; Canada

Nov 16th, 2010 9:56 pm

Yeah, I don't think I'll buy LG again.

Replace it with what though? (I am really thinking about this option now)

Budget is under $1000 with tax.

Nov 17th, 2010 10:35 am

arisk: Deal Addict; Nov 12, 2006; 2326 posts; 1387 upvotes; London

Nov 17th, 2010 10:35 am

Maybe a sheet metal patch?
I'd maybe use pop rivets so that there is a smoother surface against the clothing.
It could affect balance, but doubtful it's an issue at that speed.
Nothing to lose at this point.

I can't even picture the situation of a cracked drum.
They must not be made the way they used to be with enameled steel.

Nov 17th, 2010 11:33 am

l69norm: Deal Expert; Jun 12, 2007; 17026 posts; 5503 upvotes; London

Nov 17th, 2010 11:33 am

+1, I'd like to see a pic as well. I don't understand how a dryer drum could crack either.

If you can take the unit apart, i'd just take the drum to a welding shop to repair the crack.

Nov 17th, 2010 6:31 pm

red 5 [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 7, 2007; 1502 posts; 241 upvotes; Canada

Nov 17th, 2010 6:31 pm

Nov 18th, 2010 12:18 am

Zamboni: Deal Fanatic; Oct 19, 2008; 7006 posts; 2597 upvotes; GTA

Nov 18th, 2010 12:18 am

Kids involved?....I remember being at a party that teenagers put a frozen turkey in the dryer and turned it on.

Remove the drum, pop rivet an aluminum patch from the back (outside)

Nov 18th, 2010 12:26 am

l69norm: Deal Expert; Jun 12, 2007; 17026 posts; 5503 upvotes; London

Nov 18th, 2010 12:26 am

Look familiar ?

http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=71727

[IMG]http://www.my3cents.com/review_images/71727.jpg[/IMG]

Looks like many many complaints about LG dryer drums on google. It doesn't look like LG is responsive to the issue. You can always try your luck by calling them.

One person says he replaced a cracked drum with a new one (at his own cost) only to have the new drum crack too. Otherwise, buying a different brand dryer looks like the only other option (unless someone starts a class action). A cracked drum on a dryer is something I would never expect.

If you are handy (and cheap), I would take the drum out and go to a welding shop. Have them repair the crack and reinforce the weld. According to most of the posts on google, the crack starts at the edge of the drum at the welded seam and goes towards the middle:
crack------------------welded seam-------------------------X

Have a welding shop repair the crack and reinforce the ends of the welded seam by spot welding in additional metal as a patch :

patch-------------------- welded seam -------------------patch

Have them smooth out the patches so they don't catch on your clothes. It should be less than $50 if you can get the dryer apart by yourself.

Nov 18th, 2010 12:38 pm

JWL: Deal Guru; Nov 18, 2005; 11463 posts; 2916 upvotes; Kingston

Nov 18th, 2010 12:38 pm

If it is time to move on to a new dryer, HD is sellling a Maytag for $400

http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stor ... ryer+image
[IMG]http://www.homedepot.ca/wcsstore/HomeDe ... 00XW_4.jpg[/IMG]

I bet you can't get your LG repaired for that.

Nov 19th, 2010 12:08 am

red 5 [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 7, 2007; 1502 posts; 241 upvotes; Canada

Nov 19th, 2010 12:08 am

Well, I am getting the drum from LG supplier in Ont for $108 plus tax. I can get it installed for $80.

What do you think? I am probably going to do this because the unit still works fine.

Nov 19th, 2010 12:11 am

red 5 [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 7, 2007; 1502 posts; 241 upvotes; Canada

Nov 19th, 2010 12:11 am

Nov 19th, 2010 7:30 am

l69norm: Deal Expert; Jun 12, 2007; 17026 posts; 5503 upvotes; London

Nov 19th, 2010 7:30 am

red 5 wrote: ↑Well, I am getting the drum from LG supplier in Ont for $108 plus tax. I can get it installed for $80. What do you think? I am probably going to do this because the unit still works fine.

Sounds good to me

Nov 19th, 2010 9:03 am

red 5 [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 7, 2007; 1502 posts; 241 upvotes; Canada

Nov 19th, 2010 9:03 am

I figure if I get another 4 years out of the dryer its worth $200.

Nov 19th, 2010 4:03 pm

JWL: Deal Guru; Nov 18, 2005; 11463 posts; 2916 upvotes; Kingston

Nov 19th, 2010 4:03 pm

JWL wrote: ↑If it is time to move on to a new dryer, HD is sellling a Maytag for $400

I bet you can't get your LG repaired for that.

red 5 wrote: ↑Well, I am getting the drum from LG supplier in Ont for $108 plus tax. I can get it installed for $80.

What do you think? I am probably going to do this because the unit still works fine.

I guess I lose that bet!

You could ask if there has been any design changes as this seems to be a chronic issue.