[AmanaDrum]

There is a crack in the seam on my dryer drum. The crack in the seem is about 1" long, and only about 1/8" wide. The crack is on the very back end of the drum, right in the channel that runs on the two rollers. (This is the seam that makes the thump-thump sound once per revolution on so many dryers.)

My question: Is there any reason why I should not just weld this up? I would probably add a strip of metal on the inside for reinforcement. This would also allow me to grind smooth the outside of the weld, where the rollers run. (No more thump-thump!)

I believe the drum is stainless steel. A replacement drum will cost at least $250, if one can be found.

It would be nice to keep this dryer going, rather than toss it.

Key words to help future searchers: tub drum seam weld crack thump noise

[denman]

You may have no choice but to try welding
I looked at PartSelect and another site and both came back with No Longer Available

I do not know what it would cost to weld but if you can do it yourself, you have nothing to loose. I would round off the edges of the inside backer plate to prevent snags

Good luck

[AmanaDrum]

Thanks, Denman. Have you heard of anyone re-welding a seam?

[denman]

No but you seem to know what you are doing
The idea of a backer plate makes a lot of sense
It would be nice to weld the backer plate in from the inside and just fill the outside crack but reaching in may be difficult especially since you need nice smooth welds.

[AmanaDrum]

Thanks again, Denman.

I'm going to check locally for a used part first, then check out the welding option.

One note - with the drum out, I think it will be easy to access the area that needs welding. No reaching in.

I'll keep this forum posted on how things go.