I've got a used Samsung dryer that has recently started making a loud screeching noise similar to nails on a chalkboard when it's running. Happens with both a full and empty load.

I have no prior experience with repairing appliances myself so I'm in unchartered waters here.

Any ideas on what may be causing this? Is it worth fixing myself or better to just buy another one in lieu of having someone come and repair it?

I'm in the Houston area

Dryers are simple machines. If it is a noise and not an electronic problem, anyway.

Drive motor and a blower motor. Either system could be the source of the noise.

The drive motor drives a belt around the drum. Could be a slipping belt or a bad bearing in the motor. Possibly a bad roller for the drum, but that seems unlikely. I think they usually make thumping sounds when they go out.

Blower motor drives a cage fan. Probably a bearing in the motor would be the source of the noise here too.

You could possibly just have a piece of trash (i.e. a paper clip or something stuck and dragging on the drum or the blower fan)

in any case, the worst it could be is needing one of the two motors. If available, I would think an appliance repair person (or yourself if you wanted to try to tackle it) could replace it cheaper than a new unit.

You can get an idea on parts cost here: https://www.partswarehouse.com/

Could it be the drum gasket?

There should be a roller on the bottom that the drum rolls on. The bearing could be shot.

Thanks for the video! I was able to disassemble the dryer myself. The drum rollers/bearings seem fine as they spin with hardly any resistance and noise. However, I noticed a lot of debris below the blower motor shaft and pulley. I attached a picture of it

Something came apart. Does the shaft wobble?

Or the belt is disintegrating.

Can you turn the motor shaft?

Shaft was moving fine. It might be the belt disintegrating.

After another look, I determined it had to be the rollers so I applied WD40 to all of them. Reassembled the dryer and the noise is gone!

sts7049 said:

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i don't think wd40 is the product you want to apply for lubricating those. might last a little bit but it won't for long

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I agree with this. It is a temporary fix and will most likely begin squeaking in a few weeks again. You will need a better lubricant. But more than likely you will need to replace the rollers.

I would use a lithium grease spray for long term. Wd40 isnt great for long term. Its great for short term though.

Sounds like the drum bearing is wearing out. I think we paid about 250 to get it fixed.

NM, i see you checked that.

Boy do I love Samsung gadgets, features, ease of operation etc THEN they quit and become trash with a 1/3 life by comparison to LG, SONY, et al.
SIGH

Also a sucker for Black & Decker gadgets they soon abandon w/o parts to buy
or Ryobi, whose tools are a coin toss to be thumbs up or down

I mean at least with ryobi i didn't break the bank and half the tools i own came from DirectTools lol

I can abuse my drills like a rented mule and get another one for 25-50 bucks depending on brushless or not.