[senna]

Takes clothes a little longer than normal to dry and have noticed top of dryer becomes very hot along with back panel.

[bettyboop]

Disconect the vent hose from the back, and start dryer.Does the air coming out of the pipe blow real strong? If so do a load with the hose off and see if it works better. Have you taken your dryer apart lately and really cleaned it good? All the lint buildup cleaned out? Usually hot dryers that dry slow are plugged up with lint.
And sometimes the pips in the wall are badly clugged also. Bettyboop

[bigtau2000]

senna,

Were you able to determine the problem? Sounds like I'm having the same problem with my dryer. I've disassembled, cleaned out internal duct work and replaced the high limit thermostat. I ran the dryer without the vent line attached and the rear panel still gets extremely hot (too hot to touch). I seem to have real good air flow.

If anyone finds a solution, please reply and let me know as well.

[bettyboop]

If still hot on back replace operating thermostat.Hi limit, limits a run away heat element, operating makes the dryer operate at a pre set temp,if it goes bad can get too hot, and must be replaced