Need to get GE dryer open to inspect bearings. Can't figure out how to get top off. Model number GFD45ESSM1WW

On that model, look for screws below the kick strip (parts 238). After removing that, look for screws to remove the front panel where the lint filter is (parts 502). Don't stretch the wires to the door switch. The link also has a full parts schematic showing the screw locations
https://www.geapplianceparts.com/store/parts/assembly/GFD45ESSM1WW

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The bearings are wearing out for your dryers motor and the bearing need to be replaced too.

Hello;

My name is peter. I am a retired field service appliance technician.

First, you do not lubricated bearing in a clothes dryer. These are designed non lubricated bearings. When you lubricate the bearings they becomes seized up with lint and then you have real problems.

You have not provided any information on your model. So I can not instruct you.

Your model number is on a metal tag on the face or top of the door when you open the door.

Go into the following web site and put in your model number. You will have a diagram of your unit.

Water Filters Lawn Garden Appliance Parts

The rear panel has two small brackets attached to the top. Remove the screws holding these on and the pry up the front top to open

Un-plug dryer. Remove screws from front panel into dryer top. (just inside the door, at the top of the opening) Swing top up and remove screw near top of front panel on each side. Tilt front panel forward and lift off, set to the side. (leave wires attatched) Pull drum ahead about 4 inches. Do not remove belt. (it's a little tough to get the drum past the sides of the dryer) Remove the old rear drum bearing and replace it. If I remember correctly, it is a part number WE3X37. Replace drum. Check the front drum support slides on the front panel. They should be about 1/8 inch thick. If the rear bearing was squeaking, they may need replacing also. Finish re-assembly, plug back in and test.

You dont need a bearing you need the DRYER DRUM SLIDE Part number AP2041815 which is under $6.50 a piece. Take the top of the dryer off and look on the front of the drum. Some GE dryers have 2 and some have 4.Go to Appliancepartspros.com it item 316 they also have a diaphram.

Yes, the whole drum needs to be removed:
Before you go trough this make sure you know for sure your elements need replacement by checking for continuity at both element terminals.
Make sure you do the same with your high limit thermostat on housing.
How to remove the drum?:
Disconnect the power source to your dryer before you begin to remove the drum. Either unplug the unit from the wall outlet, remove the appropriate fuse from the fuse box, or flip the appropriate breaker in the circuit breaker panel.
Pull your dryer out from the wall. Behind it, on the bottom, you will find a lower panel that will give you access to the unit's belt tensioner (also known as an idler pulley arm). Remove the screws holding this panel in place, and then remove the panel itself. Reach inside and release the belt tension by removing the belt from the motor pinion.
Older GE dryer models have a small drum bearing inspection plate in the center of the back of the dryer. This drum bearing inspection plate provides access to the dryer's circlip (also known as an e-ring). This clip holds the rear drum shaft in place. Newer models do not have this circlip or the drum bearing inspection plate.
If yours is an older GE model with an inspection plate, remove the plate now. It will be held in place with a single screw. With the plate removed, you will be able to see the drum support shaft and the e-ring (circlip) holding the shaft in place. Use a small screwdriver to remove the e-ring. You may also want to use a magnet to keep the circlip from falling into the dryer. You will also find several metal and nylon shims between the bearing and the e-ring, inside the bearing, and between the bearing and the drum. Take careful note of how they come off so that you will be able to put them back on again in the right order.
Now remove the front panel of the dryer. There are a couple of different ways this is accomplished. Whichever method you use is dependent upon your model. Some older models have two spring catch clips under the cabinet top, one on the left side, and one on the right side of the front. Use a putty knife, or some other flat and thin object to wedge in under the cabinet top. Release both spring catches and lift the cabinet top off the dryer. In some newer models, there will be screws joining the cabinet front panel to the cabinet top. You will have to open the door in order to find these screws. Once they are found, remove them and then slide the cabinet top forward and lift it off the unit.
Next, there are two screws located in the bottom of the front panel, one in each corner. Loosen these, but do not remove them just yet. Locate and remove the two screws at the top inside of the dryer's front panel. Again, there is one screw in each corner. Proceed to remove the other two screws you have just loosened. Disconnect the door switch wires and then lift the front panel off your dryer. With the front panel removed, lift the drum and slide it out of the dryer.
NOTE: In some models, you will have to remove the dryer drum glides before you can remove the drum. Also, now that the interior of your dryer is completely exposed, it might be a good time to vacuum out all of the dust and lint that has built up in there.

assuming you have a normal GE..open door remove 2-4 screws going up into top they are where the top of door was when closed. remove top..have you unplugged the machine yet? DO IT NOW ! remove screws holding front on. tilt out and lift off. you should be able to figure the rest out..I would look at the rear shaft bearing..to remove tub pull straight forward..should be a sleeve bearing with a small amount of hi-temp grease on it. teflon sleeve

Most likely the front support bearing. If this is the problem you will likely have to replace the slides too. The wizards have a ten year warranty. The bearing is part number WE3M26 and the slides probably need 3 or 4 of them are we1m333. Hope this helps.

Opening the cabinet and removing the drum of GE dryer models
Note:
Disconnect the power source to your dryer before you begin to remove the drum. Either unplug the unit from the wall outlet, remove the appropriate fuse from the fuse box, or flip the appropriate breaker in the circuit breaker panel.


Pull your dryer out from the wall. Behind it, on the bottom, you will find a lower panel that will give you access to the unit's belt tensioner (also known as an idler pulley arm). Remove the screws holding this panel in place, and then remove the panel itself. Reach inside and release the belt tension by removing the belt from the motor pinion.

Older GE dryer models have a small drum bearing inspection plate in the center of the back of the dryer. This drum bearing inspection plate provides access to the dryer's circlip (also known as an e-ring). This clip holds the rear drum shaft in place. Newer models do not have this circlip or the drum bearing inspection plate.

If yours is an older GE model with an inspection plate, remove the plate now. It will be held in place with a single screw. With the plate removed, you will be able to see the drum support shaft and the e-ring (circlip) holding the shaft in place. Use a small screwdriver to remove the e-ring. You may also want to use a magnet to keep the circlip from falling into the dryer. You will also find several metal and nylon shims between the bearing and the e-ring, inside the bearing, and between the bearing and the drum. Take careful note of how they come off so that you will be able to put them back on again in the right order.

Now remove the front panel of the dryer. There are a couple of different ways this is accomplished. Whichever method you use is dependent upon your model. Some older models have two spring catch clips under the cabinet top, one on the left side, and one on the right side of the front. Use a putty knife, or some other flat and thin object to wedge in under the cabinet top. Release both spring catches and lift the cabinet top off the dryer. In some newer models, there will be screws joining the cabinet front panel to the cabinet top. You will have to open the door in order to find these screws. Once they are found, remove them and then slide the cabinet top forward and lift it off the unit.

Next, there are two screws located in the bottom of the front panel, one in each corner. Loosen these, but do not remove them just yet. Locate and remove the two screws at the top inside of the dryer's front panel. Again, there is one screw in each corner. Proceed to remove the other two screws you have just loosened. Disconnect the door switch wires and then lift the front panel off your dryer. With the front panel removed, lift the drum and slide it out of the dryer.

NOTE: In some models, you will have to remove the dryer drum glides before you can remove the drum. Also, now that the interior of your dryer is completely exposed, it might be a good time to vacuum out all of the dust and lint that has built up in there.