GE Profile dryer:I need to access the outsie of the drum. One of the bolts which holds the white plastic seperator to the inside of the dryer drum is loose and is hitting the outside of the dryer as it rotates.

You need to replace either the front bearing (plastic that drum rolls over) or the glides that go on the front bearing ( glides that insert into the plastic bearing piece that the drum glides on.I would change both, simply remove the top of the dryer then you will see two 5/16' bolts that hold the front to the sides just inside on the top, remove the two bolts and remove the front of the dryer and you will see the bearing and glides that I have described. Replace,reassemble and begin quiet drying again. Good luck!

That is the rear drum support you will need to get a new one and install the entire kit.

Hello Leslie

I don't know what is the brand of you dryer. I will make you a preference this brand.

In GE dryers, the thermal fuse--sometimes called a safety thermostat--is located behind the drum on the inside of the dryer. To access the thermal fuse you will need to open the dryer from the top. Though it may sound a bit daunting, opening the top of the dryer to reveal its inner workings is surprisingly simple. To open the dryer top you will need a flat-head screwdriver, putty knife or similar tool. Insert the screwdriver or putty knife underneath the dryer's top panel. Slide the putty knife along the bottom of the panel until you locate the two clips that hold it in place. These clips are usually located about four inches in from either side of the top dryer panel. Apply pressure to the clips to release them. Once the clips have been released, lift up the top panel and use the supports to keep it upright. Look inside the dryer, behind the drum, to find what looks like a round metal pan. This metal pan is actually the dryer's heating element housing. The thermal fuse will be located next to the heating element housing. Look for a white strip with two wires connected to it and you've located the thermal fuse in your GE dryer.

Best Regards
Neciforo Llanto

It's the drum bearing . It's in the back of the drum but it can only be accessed from the front. It's regular wear and tear that causes this usually. It's a pretty tough job for someone that has not done it before.

sounds like the bearing carrier has come away from the drum-same as mine,seems to part of the drum
so not available seperately-its riveted on not bolted,mine has deformed and enlarged the rivet holes in the drum so a repair dosent seem practicle if yours hasnt chewed itself up then you may be able to replace the rivets with nuts and bolts and maybe change the bushing kit for about 6 quid

I have experienced two problems with "loud squeeks" with the DPSR473EW. First, if you take the top off (open door, remove two screws under top door lip releasing the top), then.., remove two small screws (inside up high - one on each side) holding the front panel/door assembly on. Pull the front panel/door assy away from the main unit - can't seperate due to some wires near the blower. On the door/front panel assy..., you will see four "teflon slides" that fit into a plastic semi-circular assy (the drum rides on those four teflon slides). Most of the time, this is where the squeeks come from - I've seen them worn thru..., and the drum riding on the plastic (just order the teflon slides - qty 4 - WE1M333). If the plastic piece that the slides fit into is worn, replace it - WE2M26 (top bearing). This should do it. If the slides look OK (so the squeek hasn't been fixed), the other place for a squeek is...., the back bearing. This bearing is basically a male rotating plastic sleeve running in a metal female hole. I have seen those wear thru the plastic bushing..., causing lots of noise. To inspect that bearing, you will need to a) remove the belt (plenty of instructions on the internet), then b)remove the drum..., then..., you can inspect that back bearing (two pieces - one piece on the back of the drum, the female piece mounted on the heater shroud.. If you need to replace that bearing, or one half of it - you can order pn WE25M40 - it will have both pieces. Good Luck

Told by several GE Service Techs that the noise is normal metal expansion & nothing can be done. Anyone else have this issue?
First dryer in over 40 years we ever heard this type of noise.

Hello Friend, Your solution is simple. You need to replace the front drum bearing and glider pads. It's actually pretty simple to do. Just remove front of dryer cabinet. After removal just look at backside of dryer front around the inner door. You will see where the dryer drum has turned and wore a hole in the plastic piece above the dryer door. This piece is called the front drum bearing. Just unsnap this piece and snap in a new one. Be sure to replace the little plastic glide pads onto the top of the drum bearing before re-installing the dryer cabinet front. The front drum bearing and glider pads are sold seperately so make sure you have everything you need before you begin. This should solve your problem. Happy to help, Tim.

ok " you would have to pull the drum to get at those screws

what I would do is use a tooth brush with some bleach
that should take care of it.

The white plastic pieces just inside the font of the drum are the front bearings there are aboutfour of these, you will need to take the front of the machine to put them in, your clothes are probably picking up black smeres from where the plastis bearings have worn.