The short answer
On the NED dryer this symptom is usually something hard that has found its way into the blower, which is where everything that escapes a pocket eventually ends up. The trailing letters in these model numbers mark finish and trim, not a different mechanism, which is why one ranking covers the whole family.
What you observe
- A thump that changes when the machine is moved — Levelling and floor, which is not a fault at all.
- A rhythmic thump in time with the drum — Once per revolution puts it at the drum supports or the belt, not at the motor.
- A high squeal that rises and falls with the drum — A bearing under belt tension, which is the idler far more often than anything else.
- A fast metallic rattle much quicker than the drum — Blower speed, which means something loose has reached the blower wheel.
- NEAR MISS — a loud bang and then the drum stops turning — A noise that ends in no rotation is a broken belt or a seized part, and the will-not-start page covers what to do next.
Causes, most likely first on the NED family
- Coin, button or debris in the blower wheel — First on this family. A coin in the blower gives a hard, fast rattle that runs at blower speed rather than drum speed, which makes it easy to identify.
- Drive motor bearing worn — Second on these models. A motor bearing noise does not track the drum: it is a steady hum or growl that is there from the moment the machine starts.
- Machine not level or walking on the floor — Third. A short foot or a springy floor produces a low-frequency thump that changes completely when the machine is moved a few inches.
- Rear drum bearing or shaft support worn — Last of the four, and the one to reach for only when the others are clean. It is the noise least worth ignoring, because a seized bearing takes the drum and sometimes the motor with it.
- Body: A brand-generic article on this symptom starts with the drum support rollers. Here the coin moves ahead of it, because the models in the table share the same construction, so what is true of one is true across the family.
Check in this order, and why
- Listen for a fast rattle much quicker than the drum rotation — A rattle far faster than the drum is at the blower, and something loose in there needs removing before it damages the wheel.
- Note whether the noise is constant or keeps time with the drum — Constant and unchanging is the motor.
- Rock the machine at each corner and level it properly — If the noise changes when you move the machine, no part has failed.
Before you open anything
Safety
Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before removing any panel — a capacitor can hold a charge after the power is off. A dryer is heavy and its cabinet edges are sharp, so get help before moving it and never reach into a drum or a blower while power is connected.
Models in the NED family
Reference| Model number | Family key |
|---|---|
| NED4600Y*+ | amana:dryer:ned |
| NED4655E*+ | amana:dryer:ned |
| NED4700Y*+ | amana:dryer:ned |
| NED4705E*+ | amana:dryer:ned |
| NED5800D** | amana:dryer:ned |
| NED5800H** | amana:dryer:ned |
When to call a technician
Call when the noise survives the free checks — levelling, panels pressed, machine run empty — because the rest is behind the cabinet. Call promptly for grinding that is getting worse, since a seizing bearing damages parts that are currently fine.
Other faults covered for the NED family
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
