While a Maytag Bravos XL dryer can produce various sounds to signal a malfunction, nothing irks like a squeal or squeak. So, is your Maytag bravos XL dryer squealing, and you don’t know why?
A Maytag Bravos XL dryer can squeal for simple reasons like loose foreign objects or screws, unlevelled legs, laundry overload, or lint buildup. It could also be due to an ungreased or worn-out motor, drum bearing, support roller, drum glide, idler pulley, felt seal, door hinge, or drive belt.
Overall, the secret is to do a quick check where you consider the simple issues I mentioned (foreign objects, unlevelled legs, loose screws, overload, and lint buildup).
Once you establish that the reason is none of the five, you should determine if the squealing originates from the bottom, top, front, or rear side of the dryer. I’ll discuss all the 13 reasons and their suggested fixes to aid you in doing it.
Let’s get into it!
In a rush? See below a quick troubleshooting guide for a squealing Maytag Bravos XL dryer!
Quick Troubleshooting Guide for Maytag Bravos Xl Dryer Squealing Problems
| – | Probable Cause | Recommended Fix |
| 1. | Loose Foreign Objects | Inspect the drum for loose objects and take them out |
| 2. | Loose Screws | Identify any loose screws and tighten them properly |
| 3. | Unlevelled Legs | Tighten the dryers feet if they appear loose and level them properly using a wrench |
| 4. | Laundry Overload | Reduce the wet laundry load to about ¾ full |
| 5. | Lint Buildup | Take out the back panel to inspect the dryer for lint clogging. Clean it if that’s the case |
| 6. | Worn-Out Motor | Consider replacing the dryer’s motor if the screeching is from the bottom and the motor looks worn out |
| 7. | Ungreased Or Worn-Out Drum Bearings | Lubricate the drum bearings if they are dry and rough but replace them if they appear worn out |
| 8. | Unlubricated Or Worn-Out Support Rollers | Grease up the drum bearings if they look dry and rough but change them if they appear worn out |
| 9. | Worn-Out Drum Glider | Replace the drum glides if they look worn out |
| 10 | Worn-Out Idler Pulley | Replace the idler pulley (with a technician’s help) if it looks worn out |
| 11. | Damaged Felt Seal | Inspect the felt seal for damage or wear and replace it if it looks damaged |
| 12. | Ungreased Or Worn Door Hinge Or Latch | Lubricate the door hinge or latch if it looks dry and rough, or replace it if it’s too old |
| 13. | Faulty Drive Belt | Replace the drive belt if it won’t turn the drum when the motor runs and shows signs of fault or wear |
How Do You Fix a Squeaky Maytag Bravos XL Dryer?
Generally, the process of troubleshooting the Maytag Bravos XL dryer squeaky sound starts with these simple five checks:
1. Foreign Objects in The Drum
There is a chance the squeaking sound is because of foreign objects such as keys, broken buttons, coins, and pins. These objects could be loose and knocking around the dryer drum. So, this is the first thing to check.
Fix
Check the dryer drum for any loose foreign objects and remove them. You’ll need to power the dryer off to inspect it.
2. Loose Screws
Quickly scan your eyes around the dryer to identify any loose screws. They could be the reason your Maytag dryer is squeaking when spinning. Sometimes the dryer may make a vibrating sound.
Fix
Inspect the dryer for any loose screws, especially on the inside, and tighten them if that’s the case.
3. Unlevelled or Loose Legs
More often than not, the reason why the Maytag dryer produces a squeak around its bottom part is either loose or unleveled feet. If the dryer’s legs are not tight enough or just not well leveled, the dryer may squeak when running.
Fix
Inspect the dryer’s legs and tighten them if they are loose. Also, check the feet and adjust them using a wrench if they aren’t at the correct level.
4. Laundry Overload
It may come as a surprise, but putting too many clothes in the dryer could cause a squeaking sound. At times, the extra wet laundry could be why your Maytag Bravos XL dryer won’t heat.
So, quickly check the drum to see if the clothes are in excess. That’s often the case if the drum is more than ¾ full.
Fix
Reduce the number of wet clothes in the drum if the drum is more than ¾ full. That improves the spinning too and reduces the number of wet clothes.
5. Lint Buildup
After some time, lint may build up on the pulley, drive belt, or blower wheel. Once that happens, the dryer may produce a squealing noise when running.
So, you may need to quickly take out the dryer’s back panel to inspect its interior components for lint accumulation.
Fix
Consider cleaning the dryer’s interior, especially the idler pulley, drive belt, and blower wheel, if they are lint-clogged.
Maytag Bravos Xl Dryer Squealing Sound Coming from The Dryer’s Back
If the squeaking sound originates from the rear part of the dryer, consider these issues:
1. Unlubricated or Worn Out Drum Bearings
The drum bearings sit at the back wall of your dryer and offer support to the rear drum when the dryer runs. But due to their constant exposure to friction, the bearings wear down over time and may produce a squeaky sound.
At times, however, the bearings squeal not because of wearing out but due to excessive friction (lack of lubrication).
Fix
Inspect the drum bearings and lubricate them if they appear too dry. But if they are worn out, replace them. You can call an expert technician for help.
2. Unlubricated or Worn-out Support Rollers (Or Rollers Shafts)
The support rollers or rollers shafts have the same effect as the drum bearings if they are unlubricated or worn out. That is, they’ll squeak. You can find these little pins on the back wall of your Maytag dryer.
Fix
Locate the support rollers at the back wall of your dryer’s inner part and grease them if they look dry. However, replace them if they look old.
3. Worn-Out Drum Glides
The drum glides job is to build a smooth barrier/wall between the dryer door and the drum’s front part. That enables the dryer to run smoothly. But once the glides start to wear out, the dryer will begin to squeak.
Fix
Locate the drum glides at the back of the dryer (use your manual), inspect them for wear and replace them if that’s the case.
Maytag Bravos Xl Dryer Squealing from The Front
Now, consider these issues if the squeaking sound of your dryer is coming from the front part:
1. Worn Out Idler Pulley
In most cases, a squeaking sound coming from the dryer’s front part indicates a worn-out tensioner or idler pulley. This component gives the dryer belt the correct tension to protect it from sliding off when the dryer is running.
So, if it’s old, the drum belt will slip off and produce a squeaky sound.
Fix
Use your dryer’s manual to access and inspect the idler pulley. If it looks worn out, replace it with the help of an expert technician.
2. Damaged Felt Seal
Another suspect regarding a squeaky sound from the front dryer part is the felt seal. This seal wears out or cracks over time, allowing some noise to escape the dryer.
Thus, you may hear the squeaking sound because of a damaged felt seal.
Fix
Inspect the felt seal for wear and cracks and replace it if that’s the case. So, you’ll need to open the dryer door fully to check the felt seal.
3. Unlubricated or Worn Out Door Hinge/Latch
The squeaky noise could also originate from the dryer’s front part because of an unlubricated or worn-out door hinge or latch. So, after checking the felt seal, the next thing to check is the door hinge or latch.
Fix
Start by greasing the door hinge to see if the squeaking stops. If it doesn’t, check for wear. If the hinge or latch appears worn out, replace it.
Maytag Bravos Xl Dryer Squeaking from The Bottom – Worn Out Motor
If the noise comes from the dryer’s base, it’s usually advisable to check the dryer level. If the dryer is not unbalanced, but the squeaking won’t stop, then the likeliest cause is a worn-out motor.
Your bravos XL dryer is squeaking because the motor has worn out and cannot spin smoothly.
Fix
Inspect the motor from wearing; if that’s the case, you need to replace it. If you can’t do it, talk to an expert dryer technician.
Maytag Bravos Xl Dryer Screeching Noise from The Top – Faulty Drive Belt
If the screeching comes from the top of the dryer, especially the back part, it’s highly likely because of a worn-out drive belt. So, consider inspecting it. You can find it outside the drum center.
If the belt is faulty, the drum won’t turn. Instead, the motor will run but produce a screeching or squeaking sound.
Fix
Inspect the dryer belt for damage, cracks, wear, and other faults. If it looks faulty and the motor turns just fine, replace it.
People Also Ask
1. Why Does My Maytag Bravos XL Dryer Squeak?
Several reasons could explain your squeaking Maytag Bravos XL dryer. Common explanations include simple issues like loose foreign objects or screws, laundry, lint buildup, and unlevelled or slack feet.
Others include worn-out or unlubricated drum bearings, support rollers, drum glides, idler pulley, felt seal, or door hinges.
2. Why Is My Dryer Making a High-Pitched Squeal?
A high pitch squeal often indicates a worn-out drive motor. So, consider inspecting the drive motor for wearing. If the motor is okay, check the drum bearing for wearing and replace them.
3. How Do I Get My Dryer to Stop Squeaking?
You can get your dryer to stop squeaking by tightening any loose screws, removing trapped objects, reducing wet load if there is excess, and cleaning the dryer interior if it’s lint-clogged.
If that doesn’t work, inspect the drive motor, idler pulley, felt seal, and door hinge for wear and replace them.
4. Is A Squeaking Dryer Safe to Use?
A squeaking dryer sound is not a good sign. It shows a fault that you should address. Sometimes the squeaking may indicate a failing part. So, no, a squeaky dryer is not safe to use.
Closing Thought:
Now you’ve at least 13 reasons behind a Maytag bravos xl dryer squealing sound. One of these issues could be why your Bravos XL dryer won’t stop screeching or squeaking.
So, go through them to identify the one responsible for the annoying sound and fix it. If you can’t do it, talk to an expert dryer technician.