GE Dryer Noisy or Drum Wobbles – WE49X20697 Bearing & Slide Kit Repair
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Understanding the Problem
What this part is and why it matters: WE49X20697 is a drum support kit commonly used on older GE (and some Mabe) dryers. It contains the rear drum bearing/shaft support (and associated felt/seal) and replacement front drum slides/glides. When those components fail the drum can become noisy, grind, wobble, or scrape against the front bulkhead. Step-by-step diagnostics and repair (practical how-to): 1) Safety first: Unplug the dryer or turn off the circuit breaker. Never work on a powered appliance. Have basic tools ready: screwdrivers, nut drivers/sockets, a putty knife, needle-nose pliers, and work gloves. 2) Verify the symptom: Open the door and spin the drum by hand. Listen for grinding, rumbling, or squealing and feel for rough spots or wobble. If you can see or feel the drum sagging or rubbing at the front or rear, the bearing or glides are suspect. 3) Isolate source of noise: With the dryer empty, run it on air fluff (no heat) briefly while standing nearby (do not leave unattended). If noise comes from rear of drum area or you see the drum wobble side-to-side, the rear bearing/shaft is likely bad. If squeaks appear at the front where the drum lip meets the cabinet, the front glides are worn. 4) Remove access panels: Unplug dryer. Remove lint screen and top panel (often held by screws or clips—use a putty knife to release front clips). Remove front panel/door as needed to access the drum. Take photos during disassembly to help reassembly. 5) Remove the belt and drum: Note belt routing or take a photo. Tip drum forward and lift out. Inspect the drum edges where slides ride and the rear center where the bearing contacts the drum. 6) Inspect parts visually: Look for a worn/broken metal bearing insert on the bulkhead or a scored drum shaft, torn felt seals, and heavily worn or flat-front glides (plastic/nylon pads). If the rear bearing is cracked, loose, or you can feel metal-on-metal when spinning the hub, replace the kit. 7) Replace with WE49X20697: Remove old bearing assembly from the rear bulkhead (usually held by screws/retaining clips) and remove the front drum slides from the drum lip. Clean the mounting areas, seat the new rear bearing/seal into the bulkhead and install the new front glides into the drum. Ensure the bearing is fully seated and the slides are positioned so the drum rides evenly. 8) Reassemble: Reinstall the drum and re-route the belt, reinstall the idler and motor pulley if removed, reattach front/top panels and lint screen. Spin the drum by hand to ensure smooth rotation and correct alignment before plugging in. 9) Test run: Plug dryer back in and run a cycle (no heat first) to confirm the noise/wobble is gone. Recheck for any rubbing or unusual vibrations. Safety note: Always disconnect power before working on the dryer. Support heavy panels when removing. If any metal parts are badly corroded or the drum is scored deeply, consider ordering a drum replacement — a new bearing on a badly scored drum will wear quickly.
Common Symptoms
Loud rumbling or grinding noise from rear of dryer, drum wobble or sag, squeaking when drum turns, uneven wear/scoring on drum edge, metal-on-metal scraping.
Common Causes
- Worn or failed rear drum bearing/shaft causing rough rotation
- Worn front drum glides (slides) allowing drum to contact cabinet
- Torn felt seal or degraded bearing housing causing play and noise
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
Before doing any tear-down: spin the drum manually and press on the drum edge while spinning. If you hear a metal grinding or feel roughness at the rear center, the rear bearing (WE49X20697) is almost always the culprit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to replace the WE49X20697 kit?
For a homeowner with basic tools expect 45–90 minutes. First-time DIYers should allow extra time to carefully document disassembly and reassembly. A technician will typically do it faster.
Can I lubricate the bearing or slides instead of replacing them?
No. These bearings and nylon/glass-filled slides wear and often become scored or misshapen. Lubricants can attract lint and make things worse. Replacement with the WE49X20697 kit is the correct long-term fix.
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