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How to Tighten Baffles on a Maytag Dryer

Kenneth Crawford

Plastic baffles, located inside a Maytag dryer drum, rotate and tumble clothes in the drying process, and tend to become loose over time. If they loosen, they will become the source of annoying clanking. Unless you tighten the baffles, coins and jewelry will catch underneath them, worsening the noise. But you can end this problem easily, once you know how to tighten baffles on your dryer.

  1. Unplug the power cord from the dryer electrical outlet. Move the dryer away from the wall, so the dryer top can be raised without damaging the wall.

  2. Go to the front of the dryer and insert a flat head screwdriver 4 inches from the right corner, between the front and top panels. Press in the screwdriver to release the retaining clips securing the panel, while lifting the corner of it with your free hand.

  3. Raise the panel to release the other corner and flip it back until the panel rests on its hinges. Open the dryer door and rotate the drum until the baffle inside the drum is at the top of the drum.

  4. Locate the screws that secure the baffle to the drum. Have your helper reach inside the drum and push the baffle flush against the drum. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to tighten the retaining screws.

  5. If your dryer uses two baffles rotate the drum again, until the baffle inside the drum is at the top of the drum. Tighten the retaining screws while your helper holds the second baffle.

  6. Close the dryer door and pull the top panel down over the dryer. Press the corners of the panel down to engage the retaining clips. Push the dryer against the wall and plug in the power cord.