[puttster]

I overloaded the dryer and it began making the very loud rhythmic squeaking, a double squeak: SQUEEEK eeek, SQUEEEk eeek... Kept doing it on the next load, too. Strangely, no noise on an empty load.
I gabbed ahold of the drum and I could push it in and out about a quarter inch. Clunk(in) clunk(out).

The dryer is a GE Profile, gas, model DPSR473GV0WW and is maybe 20 years old. My googling indicates it's either the front bearing or glides, or the rear bearing or its sleeve, the one that attaches to the drum. also maybe the bracket that the bearing fits into. Also belt or idler... I guess that's about everything.

So I'm looking here for some advice for the most likely cause of the squeaking/screeching (or some further testing I can do) so I can give it at least one good try before buying a new one.

putts

 

[Nealtw]

I would suspect a bearing. Years ago when I was out of town my dryer did that and the drum had cut it's way right thru the back. The wife and kids only told me after it stopped completely.

 

[ScottTDR]

I would also guess it was the bearing. Save your precious dryer.

 

[puttster]

Mysteriously over the following week the squeaking disappeared.
If/when it comes back I'll go after the bearing. That's the one in the rear? Is itt the rod that comes out of the drum with the sleeve on it or the bracket (maybe with a ball bearing) that is affixed to the back wall of the unit?