Dryer making very loud crunching/grinding noises!

[BlogOnTheTyne]

I've turned it off, as it sounds increasingly loud and dangerous! I've had a look but can't identify what the problem is.

Anyone had this happen before and what did it indicate?

I absolutely can't afford another dryer nor the time to get someone out to look.

It's a Bosch WTA 3600 and is a few years old now.

Is it safe to leave it on or might it explode/ burst into flames or something?

I had this, the engineer came and found BB bullets stuck in the drum

Could be the bearings going?

YouTube has replacing videos if it is.

Assuming nothing's slid between the drum and casing (bra underwires are a fave) it's usually an indication of bearings going. If it is and you leave it to self destruct you may do too much damage to self repair, (unless you're good at welding) and can end up with bearing grease on the load.

Take everything out and see if there's up and down movement in the drum, especially at the front, there shouldn't be. Also spin to see if it turns in an elipse rather than a circle. Either of those are high indicators of shot bearings.

Sometimes it's easy enough to replace the bearings, where it isn't because they're press sealed, it's often possible to buy a new drum with the bearings factory pressed on. Good luck.

The drum gets stuck in mine. I manually give it a push round from the inside and start it again and it will go.

No manual and the drum doesn't turn if you try to push it round manually. It's one of those that only moves when it's switched on with the door closed.

Haven't dared use it again but have 2 massive washes waiting to be dried and all radiators already draped with yesterday's wet laundry (so house condensation problem is getting worse and we already have black and grren mould on bedroom walls).

Not sure I can access the back of the dryer to try to take it apart myself and to be honest, am slightly worrued about trying as I've never done anything like that before.

I presume I'm right in thinking that to get it fixed would involve waiting in day after day, all day, for a technician who never turns up? In any case, I'm running a business and can't take time off - so that's a non starter.

Would I also need a qualified Bosch technician to look at it - or would anyone do - like a plumber or electrician?

There must be someone local you can phone? Have you got a Facebook page or a Streetlife website where you can ask for a local recommendation?