I have a Maytag Dependable Care Plus/Heavy Duty dryer (LDE8704ACE) that has served me well with no problems for more than 16 years. Yesterday, it started making a thumping noise that sounded like a huge piece of metal was in the dryer. After taking everything out, I traced the noise to a loose bolt on one of the fins inside the tub. My question is how do I get the top off to tighten the bolt? I read about some clips in the front that could be "popped" with a putty knife, but after trying for 30 minutes, I can't get them to "pop". Any suggestions?

the knocking is either a belt that is going or one of the wheels is broken(they ride on three or four wheels). and those fixes are fairly inexpensive. but if it is also not heating, that can be inexpensive or not. maybe a new one, or fairly new via craigslist. how old is your dryer. over 10-12 years, maybe replace this one

Hi,
When my washer did that, I found that the shocks that hold the tub were bad...

Check out this tip I wrote about the noise and vibration that front loadwashers can make..

Washer Problems Washer noise when spinning
heatman101

Must replace it cause there is a flat side on the shaft and the blower wheel matches up to it and rounded out the plastic. Take off front panel and take out the screws around the wheel to get the metal plate out of the way then it either screws on or has a snap ring and a clamp to take off now wiggle the wheel to slide it off. Install new wheel and put back together.

Sounds like one of the roller bearings is going out. What is the model number of your dryer?

HI- Usually when the clothes take a long time to dry it is an issue with the vent. Look in the back of the dryer and make sure the vent is not crushed, crimped or blocked. As well, go outside when the unit is running and feel how much air is coming out of the exit vent. It should be blowing pretty good. If not replace and clean the vent, if the vent goes through the wall and makes a bunch of turn over a long distance you will need to have a vent cleaning service out to brush and vacuum the vent. You can test this by detaching the vent where it goes into the wall and putting pantyhose over the end and see if it dries better. You could also have a thermostat issue but I look at the venting first. Hope this helps.

Does the timer move when it's almost ready to shut off if not most likely need a timer. Can you turn it by hand to finish the cycle and shut it off. If not must be timer.
Hope this helps

CHECK THE FUSE ON THE LID SWITCH BELOW THE TIMER. IF ITS BLOWN YOU NEED THE LID SWITCH ***.SOMETIMES EVEN IF ITS NOT BLOWN THE SWITCH IS BAD

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Your description sounds like one or both of the rear drum supports (rollers) is bad. A quiet thumping is almost always present as the weld in the drum comes in contact with the drum supports. A binding support will squeal, and the thumping could be worse at that time. After running the dryer until the noises are present, once disassembled, you can tell if a support is bunding or rolling normally by spinning it by hand. The same goes for the idler pulley. Make sure power is disconnected from the unit befor attempting any repairs.

While the unit is disassembled for repair, make sure your your old cat is not inside.

This is usually a simple heating coil malfunction. The coil may have breaks in it causing it not to work. It could also have something to do with 1 of several heating sensors that may be broken, telling the dryer's heating coil that the dryer is too hot, in effect turning off the heating coil. If your dryer has a round lint filter in the rear of the drum, it was 1 of 2 models of Dependable care dryers produced in the 1970's. If this is the case, i supose it would be up to you whether you want to try and get it repaired or not. If you have one of the more recent models,,, the lint filter is directly behind the door, at the front of the drum. and in this case it would probably be a good idea to get it looked at it as Maytag is a relatively dependable brand.

rear bearing is dry