Any recommendations?

Other threads never mentioned any names.

5/1/2011 10:11:25 PM

What's the appliance in question? Most appliance repair is simple enough to do yourself if you can use common hand tools and a multi-meter / continuity tester. Fixing my own dryer and refrigerator has saved me hundreds of dollars.

5/1/2011 10:13:43 PM

Right now, a washer & dryer; but would also like for future reference.

the W/D are in a small closet with virtually no clearance from the walls - and I don't feel like messing with them really. it's a pain in the ass to move these things for working on them.

dryer drum seems to be off balance and has a burning smell. not sure on the balance repair, but I'm guessing it just needs a good cleaning for the burning smell.

as for the washer, well both have some age and use, and I'm not sure what all needs to be checked/replaced/etc. and how much time and effort that would be.

are these repairs really hundreds? sheesh

[Edited on May 1, 2011 at 10:20 PM. Reason : .]

5/1/2011 10:19:52 PM

Your drier probably has a slipping belt, or the tensioner for the belt has seized and needs replacing.

You can call Sear's appliance repair, and they will charge you a flat rate of about $129 to fix the dryer. They will schedule first appointment to diagnose, order parts, then fix. If it is what I think it is, you're looking at about $80 in parts. So $200 total.

I replaced it myself. Not a difficult task, but if you arent a DYI'er, its not super simple either.

5/1/2011 10:25:43 PM

Sheesh, I didn't pay that much for the pair

Guess I'll give it a try myself; I DIY some, so I could probably handle it.

Anything else I should check on either item?

[Edited on May 1, 2011 at 10:37 PM. Reason : .]

5/1/2011 10:36:26 PM

I think you'll see the problems when you get the dryer taken apart. You are going to want to take the front of the dryer off. You can watch some youtube videos on belt repair to get an idea. The drum rotates freely off some felt pads. The belt wraps around the drum, and runs through a tensioner. You will want to check the tensioner to make sure it spins freely.

Make sure you do all the laundry for the week. You'll be able to order the parts online fairly easily, and they'll take a couple days to come in. Take pictures on what screws went were.

5/1/2011 11:01:53 PM

just go buy new washer and dryer off craigslist. Probably gonna cost the same amount.

5/1/2011 11:14:36 PM

You have a truck. If you can't easily fix it yourself, get some off craigslist.

5/1/2011 11:25:32 PM

Cash's up in North Raleigh has always done a good job of selling my the part I need and explaining how to do the repair.

5/2/2011 8:59:16 AM