TDE546RBW1 Tappan Dryer - Instructions

I took the dryer apart to vacuum and check because of the screaching noise. Took drum out and found the bearing in pieces and shaft had rubbed against the brace. I thought as old as my dryer was I would never get a piece to fix it. I got online and found PartSelect.com. I found the part but could not tell if all was included. there was a Phone Number so I called it. I was helped instantly. They acted like it was no big deal to have a dryer that old. I got my part within a week and had my dryer back together. It works like new. Thank you

Took front door off, top off, frunt off, removes screws holding rear bearing pivot, and then removed drum. repainted bearing surface on drum, installed parts, let paint dry for a day and reassembled.

I first diagnosed the problem using a Google search. Amazing how many hits I got and after reading a few was pretty certain what the cause was and what parts I probably needed to make the repair.
Some of the articles I read had links or mentioned PartSelect, so I searched for my model # and found the parts I would probably need. Knowing that I could probably get the parts I needed I disassembled the dryer (pretty easy really) and removed the old suspect part. It was devoid of lubricant and the bearing and ball showed some wear so I ordered the Bearing Assembly suggested by PartSelect (the illustrations looked just like my old parts). I left the dryer disassembled while I waited for the part, figuring it would take a week or so to arrive.
Much to my surprise, the part arrived three days later and after cleaning the dryer innards of all collected lint I put it all back together in 30 minutes.
So for a little research, a $30 part, and about an hour of my time, I have a clean and quiet operating dryer. I see no reason I can't get another 10 or so years out of it.
I consider myself a reasonably handy guy but had never worked on a dryer before. I'll be unlikely to ever call a repairman without first doing some investigation and seeing if the parts are available. With the internet and PartSelect I think I could take on a lot of other repairs I'm not familiar with. Thanks for a great outcome this time around.
Kevin

Moved dryer out where I could get to all sides, then pulled top off, then unscrewed the front panel. The drum lifted out of it's ball bearing assembly in the back with a little force. Then it slid out fairly easy.

I replaced the rear bearing assembly, the bottom drum glide strip, the top drum glide and the vent seal all at the same time. The glue for the glide strips took about an hour to set up and I used clothes pins every 4-6 inches as suggested by someone else here on this site. Then I vaccuumed out the entire dryer body, vent pipes and every nook and cranny.

I put everything back as it had come out and then put the dryer back in it's place. Plugged it back in and it's as quiet as when it was new. Total time of project was about 1:45.

i removed two screws that hold the top of the dryer on at the back of the dryer then i removed a couple of screws that hold the front of the dryer on at the top of the front then i disconnected the two wiring connecters inside the front and a ground wire when the belt came i put it around the drum and took two screws out on the back of the dryer near the floor that hold a small panel in place to access the motor i put the belt on the motor and idler wheel and that was it put together and done

My husband took the front panel off. We scaped the old seals off. Used the adhesive that came with the drum glide and replaced both parts. No more ripped and stained clothes, that easy!

First I pulled up on top panel. Next I removed the two screws holding on the front panel on. Next I pulled forward and front panel pulls out. I cleaned the old upper & lower drum glide & drum seal using a razor blade. I used the high temp glue that came with the top glide. I glued them both on & let sit for about half hour. While the glued dried I installed new belt & belt idler pulley. I re-assembled the front panel while lining up the drum. Re-installed the 2 screws. Snapped the top panel back in place. Plugged it back in & turned it on. Awesome noise was gone & working great.

removed drum & replaced bearing, belt & shaft - reassembled

I popped the top lid of the dryer which has hinges in the rear allowing it to be lifted. This exposes the drum. The front panel then can be detached using a nut driver and phillips screwdriver. The door shut off switch must be then removed so the front panel can be pulled away. I used an adjustable wrench to remove the lock nut. Once the front panel is clear of the drum, the felt and nylon glides are exposed. I removed the felt using a paint scraper, and cleaned the adhesive residue with lacquer thinner. The provided high temperature adhesive was then applied, I waited a minute per the directions, then applied the new felt and glides. The dryer reassembles in reverse of the above disassembly, making sure not to forget to reinstall the door switch. I plugged the dryer back in, and ran a load of laundry in quiet efficiency. Your part arrived quickly, the directions were good, and the dryer now works wonderfully.

Only needed to remove one screw & what was left of the handle.
Held the new handle in place and tightened down with the same screw.

Appearances can be deceiving.....while dis-assembly was a piece of cake; the problem turned out to be failed welds on the dryer drum. REMEMBER this before you make a parts decision. Examine the problem.FIRST! (this comeing from a guy who used to Manage an appliance repair shop WAY back in the day....DUH!)Solution?....new dryer; repair cost too high. None the less...at least I have a spare belt !!!

Popped the topped using a putty knife to free two clips in front. Remove two screws now accessible on the front inside panel. Remove two wires to door switch. Remove rear access door, two screws. Remove belt from tensioner in rear and remember or take picture of how it goes. Lift barrel slightly and pivot front panel out of the way. Lift barrel free from ball socket in rear. Lift out from front panel area. R & R kit and put back in reverse order.

After changing the drum support bearing, and the front felt ring, the noise continued. It turned out to be the tensioner pully. The harmonic vibration travels throughout the dryer box like an instrument so you can't tell where the sound is comming from. Before you do anything, spray a little wd40 between the bushing and the shaft on the belt tenioner pully. If the squeel goes away, you have found your smoking gun.

Removed two screws in the inside of the front after opening the top by releasing the two clips. Front comes off of bottom clips easily. Drum can be removed and repairs made. Takes less than 30 minutes Be sure to remove door switch wire & unplug unit first. Drum belt can be re-installed easily thru the back access panel.

Followed the instructions in the video. It was very helpful.