MDE16MNDZW Maytag Dryer - Instructions

After taking apart the machine (applianceaid.com has slideshows for most major appliances - very comforting and reassuring - highly recommended), I used a shop-vac to clean up all lint and dirt. After getting the retainer ring off the drum roller shaft (snap ring pliers highly recommended), I replaced the drum roller along with the glides which were completely worn through (rivet gun required). I reassembled the dryer to find that the drum wouldn't turn, so I placed another order for the other drum roller and replaced the belt too. Back in business.

The hardest part of this repair was diagnosis. After running continuity tests on the electrical components, removing the heating unit showed a broken filament on the heat coils. The replacement part fit mechanically, but used spade terminals for high voltage instead of the original mounting posts, requiring retermination of the wires. One of the power leads also had to be extended in length. All works after completion.

looked at video on your web site my wife and I decided to try it ourselves we are 70 and 71 And I am in a wheelchair just had surgery so we ordered parts. received parts looked at repair video a couple of times and went for it. during process we had some moments of frustration but we went back to video. end result, screech is gone. could not have done it with out video thanks.

I followed the repair videos which were very helpful and made the job easy to do. Anyone of average handyman skills should be able to perform the repair without difficulty.

Replaced the roller

Replaced rear drum rollers and drum belt. Would have been impossible to do unless I had watched the video. [Re-watched video 4 times during repair to make sure of what I was doing.] dryer now works fine. Dryer did throw off a lot of lot dryer felt lint during first post repair use. Customers should let it run one empty cycle after repair.

Watched video then followed directions in the package. Installation wasn't difficult but it would have been easier if I had a set of snap ring pliers (cheep at Harbor Freight). I was surprised by the amount of lint buildup. I feel much safer now that everything is nice and clean. Clean and quiet, worth the time to make the repair.

As per video instructions we took off front and removed drum. We only changed one of the roller support wheel as I could not find any information as to how many I need for my type dryer and parts diagram was deceptive. Showed only one drum support roller.

I've had this dryer since it was new It's over 25 years old. and it started to make a high pitch squealing sound when in use. Decided it's time to repair it. a new one is very expensive. So I ordered the parts from this site. When the parts arrived they where Inspected for fit, function and finish. So I proceeded with doing the repair myself. Short Phillips screw driver to remove the two sheet metal screws at the bottom front panel. tilted the panel from the bottom outward and removed it from the main tumbler cabinet. labeled the door switch wires one was yellow & one white. so I would not reinstall them incorrectly upon assembly. removed the front panel. set it aside. then removed the bulkhead panel 5/16" screw in each corner. removed that and set it aside. and there she was, the tumbler. I pulled the tensioner up to loosen the belt, and removed it. then grabbed the tumbler from the inside top slightly picked it upward and slid it out of the cabinet exposing the two rollers and axles one on each side that it sits on. at that point I noticed the drive belt was frayed and slightly worn. came back in the house and got on line ordered a new one from Parts Select it showed up a day later and a perfect match. the rollers are held in place by snap rings at the end of the axles. squeeze them they come off real easy, and on the back side there's a 14mm hex head nut. box wrench works good here to loosen the nut and remove the axles. the original washers are metallic and worn badly, they where making the high pitched squealing sound when they rotated so they came off and where replaced by the ones in the new roller kit and lubed with graphite not oil or grease. Graphite is dry and does not collect all the dirt and debris. put the new washers, new rollers & snap rings back on the axles grooves on the end, hand spun them and they where ready to roll. took the new belt placed it around the tumbler over the exact witness marks that where there so it would line up and lifted the tumbler back into the cabinet aligned the new belt over the motor pulley and tensioner lining it up exactly on the witness marks left by the old belt. slowly slid the tumbler back on to the new rollers rotated the tumbler a couple rotations clockwise to set the belt put the bulkhead back on the front with 5/16" sheet metal screws. in 4 corners, reinstalled the from panel along with the door switch wires and it was done. now the moment of truth. plug the machine in and turn it on!. Bingo! it runs so well you don't know it's even running. after this repair the machine performs even better. it actually takes LESS time for clothes to dry! AJS

I re-assembled, checked felts, and wear blocks,(good condition). I cleaned lint, removed coins from baffles, corrected several dents(minor), double checked wire condition and routing (good), finished re-installation, checked balance . all was good, and ran two loads of laundry. very quiet! Thanks

repairmen said to buy a new dryer! or replace the motor! DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!

It was the spring washer that was rubbing against the metal that was causing the very loud noise. The fiber washer that is used on the shaft on both sides of the roller had worn though and allowed the metal-metal contact. The fiber washer wore out! The fiber washers are very cheap!!!! in comparison to a motor or new dryer!


The drum rollers that support the rotating drum eventually wear out the fiber washer.
UNPLUG THE DRYER, DISCONNECT THE VENT
Remove the two screws on the lower front of the dryer panel, probably after you have tilted the unit backward. Remove the front panel by tilting out the bottom as there are two clips at the top. AFTER DOCUMENTING the CONNECTIONS - Disconnect the wires from the switch which is mounted on the front panel.
Carefully put the dryer on its back - be careful of the dryer vent to avoid damaging your floor or dryer vent!
Carefully pull the dryer drum up out of the dryer - as this is done the belt which moves the drum will fall away from the drum. I suggest before you remove the drum to eyeball the way the belt is tensioned and wrapped around the motor driveshaft, guard and tensioner. This will be the most difficult part of reassembling the machine. Some visual understand, maybe even pictures will help you later to get it installed correctly back into proper position... and it is NOT intuitive!
Once the drum is removed, the rollers are accessible. Rotate each and find the squeaker!
I recommend you replace the fiber washer on both, even though only one may be squeaking at this point (the other will be close to being worn out as well!).
I will not document the replacement of these parts as the assembly seems well documented elsewhere. I suggest you remain using the spring washer if there - as the after factory replacements do not seem to provide spring washers.
I would also suggest replacing the dryer drum belt, it is worn, after this many years, and putting in a new one will keep the dryer running for many more years. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER - USE IT

repair was pretty easy, actually took more time removing the door and the front housing that actually changing out the rollers

Received parts within two days of order. thank you

It was easier than I thought. Unplugger the dryer, took the door off, front panel and inside front panel. I wiggled the drum out and vacuumed up all the lint. All I really needed to replace was the belt and idler wheel but replaced the 2 support rollers since I had gotten new ones. The belt had a twist in it and was rubbing and causing the idler to rub against its bracket, thus wearing them both out prematurely. I slapped it all back together and it never ran better.
Thanks for the inexpensive parts and quick delivery. You guys are great!

I took the front door off, then i took the the front facing off so i could see in where the idler pulley was. Then I took a couple of screws out so i could get the tumbler out so i could put the belt back on track. I replaced the pulley and then started putting everything back together and now the dryer works like a brand new one. I loved buying parts from here. Cause you are showed how to replace the parts you are wanting to replace. I was very satisfied with everything.

The door switch was easy to replace. It is located in the right bottom of the door and I popped out with my fingers. Follow the wire connectors from the old switch and remounted back in.