The dryer has been making an unusual noise lately and sometime will not start. I took the drum out and found that the rear drum seal is starting to fall apart - splitting. I examined the bulkhead where the seal rides at the back, and found that there is one place near where the heat dryer vents into the lint trap that does not follow the nice round curve of the rest of the bulkhead. It's about a 2.5 inch long indentation - not really deep but certainly deep enough to easily notice and clearly not in keeping with the rest of the round flange where the seal rides. It's also rather rough there. (Photo attached, but it's difficult to see the indentation. If you open the photo, it's between the two shiny areas of wear on either side of the photo.)
I have no idea why the bulkhead would have been made this way, but also no idea why it would have become indented like this through use. I'm concerned that if I replace the seal, it will wear out faster than normal because of this indentation.
Any ideas regarding this - is the indentation normal? The dryer is almost 28 years old and much of the paint inside the drum is gone. Maybe time to just replace the whole thing?
IMG_5038.jpg
I have no idea why the bulkhead would have been made this way, but also no idea why it would have become indented like this through use. I'm concerned that if I replace the seal, it will wear out faster than normal because of this indentation.
Any ideas regarding this - is the indentation normal? The dryer is almost 28 years old and much of the paint inside the drum is gone. Maybe time to just replace the whole thing?
IMG_5038.jpg