How to Rebalance a Clothes Dryer

Written By
Emma Lee
Emma Lee
Published: Nov 20, 2009
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

A dryer that is off balance is not only noisy but can wear out the machine faster. Parts and wires will rub against each other causing premature aging of the dryer. Balancing a dryer can be done in a matter of minutes.

Things You Will Need

  • Level
  • Pliers
  • Shim
  1. Tilt the back of the dryer forward to lift the machine several inches off the floor. Dryers with self leveling back legs will drop and adjust when the dryer is lowered to the floor.

  2. Place a level on the top of the dryer going from left to right. The bubble must be in the center of the display for the machine to be level. Adjust one or two of the four feet under the dryer until the bubble is centered in the display.

  3. Use pliers to adjust the feet on the dryer if they are stiff and cannot be moved with your hands.

  4. Use shims as a supplement if the feet on the dryer will not adjust to the needed height to balance the dryer. Add shims under the foot until the dryer stops rocking.

  5. Grab opposite corners of the top of the dryer and rock the machine. Do the same rocking motion with hands on opposite sides of the top. The dryer is stable when it will not rock.

The Drip Cap

  • Thanks to J.
  • Ross Moore the dryer was invented in 1935.
  • Parts and wires will rub against each other causing premature aging of the dryer.
  • Dryers with self leveling back legs will drop and adjust when the dryer is lowered to the floor.
  • Place a level on the top of the dryer going from left to right.
Emma Lee

Emma Lee owns a photography website and also works as a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, animals and photography. Her work can be found on various websites. Lee attended Charles County Community College located in…

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