Help me fix my dryer!

[Bitey_Barkface]

Ack! We bought a new house and the dryer is missing a part and I can't use it without it!

It's a 20 year old Kenmore Canada Dryer, Model #C110-8170091

The parts missing are 88 (bulb) & 87 (lens) in the attached diagram. 87 is the biggie, without it clothes can get behind the drum and access the heating element - dangerous!

The problem is the dryer is so old Kenmore tells me the parts don't exist anymore and I should buy a new dryer. Crap! Also, no parts place that I can find carries them. :(

Here are the part #s:
88 - 20062907 (alternative 341165)
87 - 00341165 (alternative wg03f00005)

Does anyone know where the heck I could find these parts? Or, how I could "make" (and install) 87 myself?

Thank you in advance for you help! :)

[Bitey_Barkface]

Is it too weird to say I love you MsNancyPryor? You're my hero. I'll find the Lexan on Amazon tomorrow and order it. Is there a specific heat resistant epoxy you recommend?

[MissNancyPryor]

Hi again-  woke up this morning with a thought.  While it might be easy enough to cut a simple square from the corner of the Lexan sheet to use as the cover, it is worth the time to round off the corners more like the lens that is missing.  If you leave corners and then epoxy it to the inside of the drum they may catch on clothes and snag sweaters.  The surfaces are usually bumpy with vent holes and there may be a boss (sunken spot in the drum surface) for the lens already. I don't mean to overcomplicate it but that struck me this morning for some reason. 

Funny what hits my brain at 4am, usually I have great moments of clarity at first light.  Sometimes more profound than making repairs but this is OK too.         

[Bitey_Barkface]

Fantastic idea. Thanks!