DV42H5600EP/A3 Drum Seal – What Part Fixes This Problem?
Need the replacement part? Search your model number at for guaranteed fit and fast free shipping.
Understanding the Problem
What the drum seal (drum felt) does: The drum seal — often a felt or rubber gasket around the front and/or rear drum lip — keeps the rotating drum centered, reduces rubbing/noise, and directs airflow through the drum. On Samsung dryers like the DV42H5600EP/A3 it prevents metal-on-metal contact between the drum and bulkhead and reduces air leakage that lowers drying efficiency. Common problems and quick diagnosis steps: 1. Visual inspection: Open the dryer door and look at the drum edge front and rear. Worn, compressed, torn or missing felt is a clear sign. Also look for lint build-up and black metal scoring on the drum lip. 2. Spin the drum by hand: With the dryer off, rotate the drum. Listen for rubbing, squealing, or scraping and feel for rough spots where the drum contacts the seal. 3. Check for play and alignment: Grab the drum at 12 and 6 o’clock and rock it. Excessive lateral movement or visible gap to the bulkhead indicates worn seals or worn rear bearing. 4. Run a short test: With the dryer empty and door closed, run a short cycle and listen. Squeal/rubbing that changes with drum rotation typically points to drum felt or worn rollers/shaft. Which parts to check first: 1. Drum felt seals (front and rear) — first suspect for rubbing/noise and air leaks. 2. Drum rollers/bearings and idler pulley — if felt looks OK but drum wobbles, check these. 3. Drum support/shaft and bulkhead — if metal scoring exists, the seal replacement may not fully fix the problem. Step-by-step replacement (practical how-to): Tools needed: Phillips and/or Torx drivers, 7/16" or 11mm socket, pliers, flat screwdriver, work gloves, shop vacuum, flash light, new drum felt/seal (correct kit for your model). 1. Safety first: Unplug the dryer and turn off gas supply if gas model. Work on a cool, empty dryer in a well-lit area. 2. Remove the top panel: Typically there are screws at the back securing the top. Remove screws, slide or lift the top off and set aside. 3. Remove the front panel: Depending on design, release clips and remove screws holding the front panel. Disconnect door switch wiring (note connector orientation or take a phone photo). 4. Remove the drum: Loosen or remove the drive belt from the motor/idler (note belt routing). Pull the front bulkhead away and slide the drum forward and out. Be careful — the drum is heavy. 5. Inspect old seals: Peel back or pull off the worn felt seals from the drum lip and bulkhead. Clean mating surfaces with vacuum and a damp cloth to remove lint, adhesive residue and dust. 6. Check mating parts: Inspect drum lip for scoring, check rear bearing/shaft and rollers for wear. If shaft is grooved, replace bearing/shaft or lightly file and smooth only as a temporary measure. 7. Install new seal(s): Fit the new drum felt over the drum lip — some seals slip over the drum edge, others press into a groove. Ensure correct orientation (fuzzy side toward the drum or as the kit instructs). For bulkhead seals, press into place around the opening and secure any clips or screws provided. 8. Reassemble drum: Slide drum back into position, re-route the belt around the drum following original path, re-tension via idler and ensure drum spins freely with no rubbing. 9. Reattach front panel and top panel: Reconnect door switch wiring, secure panels and screws. 10. Test run: With the dryer empty, run a short cycle and listen/observe for rubbing, excessive noise or leaks. Verify even spin and good airflow at exhaust. If after replacing the seal you still have rubbing/noise or wobble, inspect/replace rollers, rear bearing, or the drum shaft/bulkhead — damaged metal can continue to rub the felt until repaired. Safety note: Always unplug the dryer before disassembly. For gas dryers, shut off the gas and have a certified tech reconnect gas lines if you disconnect them. If you’re unsure about the gas or electrical work, hire a qualified technician.
Common Symptoms
Squealing, scraping or rubbing noise during spin; visible worn, torn or missing felt around drum edge; increased lint at front or exhaust; decreased drying performance and hot air leaking from drum seams.
Common Causes
- Normal wear and compression of drum felt over years of use
- Foreign objects or metal scoring on the drum lip causing accelerated felt wear
- Worn drum bearings or rollers allowing lateral movement that chews the felt
Popular Parts That Fix This Problem
These are the most common replacement parts that fix this problem. When you're ready to order, click below to find the right part at ProsourceParts.com — just search by your appliance model number for a guaranteed fit.
Helpful Repair Tip
Confirm a bad drum seal by spinning the drum by hand with the front panel removed — if you hear rubbing at a specific rotation and see the felt flatten or scrape, the felt is the culprit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need the front felt, rear felt, or both?
If wear is visible only at the front lip, replace the front felt; if the drum also wobbles at the rear or you see wear at the rear bulkhead, replace the rear felt too. Often both are replaced at the same time for best results and longer life.
Can I replace the drum seal myself or should I call a technician?
A competent DIYer with basic hand tools can replace drum felt seals — it requires removing the drum and following the replacement steps carefully. If the dryer has gas connections you need to disconnect, or if you find damaged bearings/shaft or heavy metal scoring, consider hiring a qualified technician.
Related How-To Videos
Real DIY Repair Stories
Be the first to share your repair story!
Share Your Repair Story
Your experience helps other homeowners fix their appliances. Tell us how it went!
Can't Fix It Yourself? Find a Local Technician
It's perfectly okay to call a professional. Some repairs require specialized tools, deep teardowns, or dealing with complex systems that are better left to the pros.
Find the Right Part for Your Appliance
Don't guess — search your exact appliance model number at ProsourceParts.com to find the correct OEM compatible replacement part. They offer fast free shipping, guaranteed fit, and thousands of parts in stock.
Your Free Parts Videos
Whether your dishwasher won't drain, your dryer stopped heating, or your fridge isn't cold, we've created simple repair guides for the most common appliance problems homeowners face. Each guide explains what's going wrong, the most likely causes, and which replacement parts fix the issue. When you're ready to order, we link directly to ProsourceParts.com where you can search by model number and get the right part shipped fast.