Maytag LDG4910 making loud noise while tumbling

[doogle11]

The Maytag LDG4910 gas clothes dryer in our house has been making some very loud noises (almost sounds like someone drumming a tin drum) while tumbling, but somehow it doesn't stop it from tumbling. I've read a little bit about this online and it seems like it could either be a loose/ripped belt or a worn out bearing. I've included a video clip documenting the sound (ill lit garage, sorry):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nvd3Lj67Z8

I'm new to repairing electric appliances of this scale, and was wondering if it is something that I could tackle by myself (without professional assistance). I haven't opened up and looked inside our dryer yet, but looking at the diagrams it seems to be something I'd like to try to handle. I was wondering if there would be enough information I can find here for me to try and repair it myself. Any advice on this and the diagnostic for the noise will be greatly appreciated!

[jeff1]

Hi,

LDG4910

Appears to be incomplete...I found LDG4910AAL & LDG4910AAW

Noise kinda sounds like a ground out fan blower wheel....
http://www.applianceaid.com/maytag-dryers.html#noise

jeff.

[ApplianceJunk]

Hi doogle11,

I watched your video too.

I believe jeff1 is correct. I would check the blower wheel first.

Let us know what you find.

[doogle11]

So over the weekend i tried opening up the maytag, took the front panel off, and went into the blower housing. Looking at it up close, it is quite possible that the blower wheel may be the source of the noise. It is loose along it's shaft (possibly worn out around the shaft), and wobbles a lot when spinning. Here's a close-up video of the sound it makes while rotating (by hand): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QkvBXOczb4

This noise is somewhat similar to the noise it was making before I took it apart (in the 1st video).

I followed the instructions on the page jeff1 posted (thanks, by the way), and went as far as removing the metal clamp. Now there's a metal ring with two holes on its tabs, this ring seems to be holding the wheel in place, along with the shaft.

I'm at the point where I'm not sure what to remove next. Should I remove the shaft by unscrewing it, or do I remove the metal ring to slide the blower wheel out? When I tried to turn the shaft, the tumbler drum rotates along with it, so when I saw that I stopped. From the diagrams, it looks like the shaft, motor, belt, and tumbler drum are all linked together. Is there something else that I'll need to remove before I proceed, or am I not removing the right components at all?

[ApplianceJunk]

Should I remove the shaft by unscrewing it, or do I remove the metal ring to slide the blower wheel out?

Remove the snap ring (metal ring) and then the fan will simply slid off the shaft of the motor.

I use a snap ring pliers to remove snap rings.