110.87682110 Do I really need to replace the seal in our old dryer or can I just keep using it or maybe do some quick fix?

[vankjeff]

Model Number

110.87682110

Brand

Sears Kenmore

Age

More than 10 years

I know my Kenmore Model 110.87682110 Dryer is so old that I should replace it along with its Washer mate, but since we'll hopefully be moving soon to downsize, I'd like to put it off until then. Who knows, we might need gas appliances instead of electric. I'm handy enough and have some basic homeowner tools, so I could probably do this myself unless I'm told here not to & told why.

Looking on the back of the dryer, I can see where the lower 2/3 of the dryers back looks like it can be removed easily with just a few screws. But then I have no idea what I’d find and need to disassemble in order to replace that seal. That's even if I can even find a replacement. We did find a parts store for a lid-switch that I needed to fix the Washer a few years ago close to home in Santa Ana, California. Then when it seemed like it would be impossible to get to, to replace it, I found a YouTube video showing me how.

This might sound dumb, but couldn't I just squeeze a bead of silicone around that seam on the inside of the drum by reaching in with the door open? It seems like that would seal it & keep anymore gasket material from ending up mixed in with our laundry. I know it would be far from a good, permanent fix but if it might last for a while, even if I needed do redo it every few months, that would be OK.

 

[Jake]

For your rear drum felt seal it should be replaced.

Here it is for your model you can order:
Felt Seal 279408

This might sound dumb, but couldn't I just squeeze a bead of silicone around that seam on the inside of the drum by reaching in with the door open? It seems like that would seal it & keep anymore gasket material from ending up mixed in with our laundry. I know it would be far from a good, permanent fix but if it might last for a while, even if I needed do redo it every few months, that would be OK.

I don't know if that would work or not, I've never tried that.

 

[vankjeff]

Thanks Jake. That photo of the seal in the package that you included made me see that the seal is a pretty wide piece, maybe 3/4" wide, and yet as you can see in my photos, only the inner edge has aged & broken off. Maybe what's still in there is still sealing it?
If not & I were to attempt my own seal replacement, is it an easy fix to just remove the back of the dryer's drum? I'm sure I'd need to deal with the drum drive motor.

 

[vankjeff]

Also, 2 things.
1. You called it a felt seal. Is it really felt? My pieces feel & look like dried old rubber.
2. You referred to it as the rear seal. Is it called that since it's the furthest in from the door?

 

[Jake]

Yes, its felt.

My pieces feel & look like dried old rubber.

After years of use, that's the way it ends up when it wears out.

You referred to it as the rear seal. Is it called that since it's the furthest in from the door?

Rear drum seal, yes its in the rear of the drum.

 

[vankjeff]

So what about what's still in there? Isn't it probably wide enough that it still seals & what fell off was just the inner edge ot the seal?

 

[Jake]

Yes, but it all will eventually tear apart as you keep using it.

 

[vankjeff]

I saw that the seal comes with a tube of something. Is that glue to hold it in place as you assemble the drum halves?
Also, is it pretty simple to get the back part of the drum off to replace the seal once you've pulled the back of the dryer off?

 

[vankjeff]

Yes, but it all will eventually tear apart as you keep using it.

Could you please either give me a brief description of accessing that seal & replacing it or maybe a YouTube link of that?

 

[Jake]

When you click the part link to the Felt Seal that I posted in post #2 above, you will see a video of how to replace it. Yes, that is glue in the tube.

Here it is: