Dexter dryer window gasket

[Weston]

In the five years I've owned my laundry, I have had many routine and some rather puzzling equipment repair problems confront me. I have succeeded in all until now. Replacing the glass and gasket on a Dexter 30# dryer door is impossible. I have heated the rubber in a dryer as recommended and also in an oven. I have lubricated with soap as suggested. The end result is there is no way to install the glass without tearing the rubber. The friendly repair guy at Dexter says it ‘s easy. “Have you ever done it” I ask. “No”. I think the only solution is to drill out the spot welds where the door meets and then spread the sheet metal until the glass is installed. Then install rivets or bolts. I will never buy another Dexter product because of this design flaw and the poor latching mechanism. I would appreciate knowing of other dryer brands without these problems. Anyone else have similar problems with Dexter?

Thanks,

Vasto

[Trab]

I had a similar struggle with a 30# Dexter dryer. Last winter I had a sizable person press against the dryer door because he was cold. He pressed the glass right out. I never got the glass back in. I cut my hands, probably ruined the seal, and actually chipped the edge of the glass trying to get it back in.

It just so happened that I was purchasing four 30# stack Dexters at the time and was trading in single pockets. I sent the glass wrapped up in a few old towels back with a single pocket to the distributor. I do not know if they got it back in or not.

As far as the latching mechanisms, I do not have any experience with other dryers. I do have to agree that the Dexter latch seems to be a weak design, although I have no experience otherwise to compare it to. I have had no problems with my new Dexter stacks. I am about to purchase two more.

I am also about to purchase a SQ store. The store has stack SQ dryers. I will have to check the SQ latch mechanisms the next time I stop in.
Comments on SQ dryers and the latch mechanisms?

[Weston]

Thanks for the quick reply Trab. In desperation, I went to a commercial glass shop today. The people there poo-pooed the factory instructions to first install the rubber gasket around the sheet metal frame and then install the glass into the rubber. They instead installed the rubber gasket around the glass first and then pushed a length of a shoe lace rope material into the outer groove around the entire perimeter . Positioning the glass above the frame the two fellows then pulled the rope and I watched them slowly move the rubber to the other side of the frame. They struggled for nearly an hour and working with special tools finally got it installed. Unfortunately, the gasket got rather torn up but it is in and I was able to clean it up some. I am disappointed I got no other answers or comments from other members but I do appreciate yours.

Vasto
Weston Laundry

[Avery]

Vasto: I have had the exact same problem on Huebsch door glass. The tool I purchased from Huebsch was pretty useless to the glass company. They also tore up the rubber gasket in places. I agree...there has to be a better way to replace dryer door glass. You would think at least one company would have perfected it by now.

[LEEHUSTON]

I have done this repair about 2 times and both times it took me about an hour and a half. This was on Huebsh loadstar dryers. It is just a matter of putting the gasket on the door and then slowly using a screw driver to slowly, a little at a time work the gasket over the edge of the glass. This is a very lousy design and a great example of how the manufacturers have not helped us at all. Supposedly there is some sort of a worm tool that you can get that helps this but I have not seen it work.

[m.darsot]

I was just searching on how to install the dryer glass gasket and just came across this vid on youtube which makes it look so easy lol he does it in under 4 min. i will give it a try tomorrow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR3sA0dz508

[MrMachine]

I have done this repair about 2 times and both times it took me about an hour and a half. This was on Huebsh loadstar dryers. It is just a matter of putting the gasket on the door and then slowly using a screw driver to slowly, a little at a time work the gasket over the edge of the glass. This is a very lousy design and a great example of how the manufacturers have not helped us at all. Supposedly there is some sort of a worm tool that you can get that helps this but I have not seen it work.

Lee, That's what I do. I use a couple of different flat blade screwdrivers on a soaped up gasket. I do put the gasket in the frame first and then slowly work the glass into the gasket with the scredriver.
I've done about 12 of them in my career (12 too many, lol). Dexters are the hardest, but they can be done with patience. It is a learned technique. Someone should post a video.

PS - This problem doesn't happen to ADC dryers. On older ADC's the glass would occasionally come out, but you could just silicone it back in because the glass is mounted directly on the door frame.
The newer ADC doors have the glass siliconed AND riveted to the door.

[Jefflange]

It is very easy to install. I do it like the video but I heat up in the dryer first and use my cordless drill with the glass install tool from Huebsch.
http://www.partsking.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=pk&Product_Code=M4221P4&Category_Code=service-tools

before i bought the tool it was a pain in the ass.

[epic02]

On the front loaders I use another Technique with a wire its much faster and you dont have to take the door off. It would work the same on the Dryers. One of these days I'll post a video.

[chris2565]

i do it the same way as the video, takes me about 10 min.

[mjwalsh]

I don't believe this meets the criteria of a "coup d'état" but it is certainly could be worthwhile for my fellow operators & hopefully true friends.

About 4 years ago we looked at the surface area around the dryer door where the glass fits. We further measured the diameter needed which was slightly bigger than the existing glass. A local glass company & friend said that a Billings, Montana fabricator had the ability to cut tempered glass to within a 1/16th of an inch. We also purchased some industrial grade silicone with greater adhesion etc. The rest is history. It is one of the better choices that we made! No danger of glass falling out doing it this way that we have seen!

Mike Walsh King Koin of Bismarck

[canon]

Dexter is easier than huebch/ speed qn because gasket is softer. I use the tool on my cordless drill. Very easy. They also latch the same way, They are almost the same door.