MDE216RBW0 Tappan Dryer - Instructions

My dad and I followed the video instructions and it was easy! No more ear piercing noise! I did find that once we took the front of the dryer off there was a lot of lint! Never thought to clean the front of the dryer out!
The video was a great way to see exactly what you needed to do, just follow what they say and you will have no problems!

I followed the instructions on previous posts. The only problem I had was trying to remount the drum to the bearing unit which sits in the back of the driver. I just couldn't get the three holes lined up for the screws until I finally laid the dryer on its back, and then presto! - it went together in seconds.

This project probably took me longer than most people because I'm always looking things over and a little cautious in my work. I never realized how simple a dryer system is until I had dismantled this one. I spent $38 to fix my dryer rather than buy a new one. $10 of that was for the belt which I changed only because I was in there. Parts from partselect.com arrived 48 hours after ordering, and I used their basic shipping.

Followed others directions and it went very well. I could not believe how much lint was packed in the bottom of the dryer! Need to clean this area out perhaps once a year.

We had the rear drum bearing replaced about three years ago. The company that serviced it was quick to take our money for the diagnosis but took over a month (and a threat to call the better business bureau) to actually make the repair. This time I decided to do it my self as I had successfully replaced the the drum drive belt two years ago. The dissassembly was challenging but the repair it's self very easy. I opted to use nuts and bolts to attach the bearing assembly rather than the supplied screws as they did not want to tighten. Reassmbly was a bit of a challenge regarding the drum drive belt but I had the entire repair done in less than an hour.

I followed the on line video which was a help. I already had the dryer apart before looking for the parts, since I did not know the problem before disassemby. The replacement bearing kit has one fault. The new screws are only Phillips head, the original ones were a combo Square Drive/Phillips. Fortunately I had saved the original hardware. The replacement Phillips head screws are IMPOSSIBLE to use to cut the threads in the new bearing plate. I had to use the old ones with a square drive bit and it was still difficult. Perhaps the holes in the plate need to be a few thousandths larger in diameter to make this easier. After cutting the threads the new screws worked OK, but still difficult to install them while reaching in the drum. Square drive or even hex head would definitely be better.

The dryer was heating but the drum would not turn. We opened it up to see what the problem was. As soon as we opened it, we saw the belt was broken. I ordered a new one and after two trips to the laundromat I was ready to get the dryer fixed. That weekend we tackled the job. First I did a Google Search on Westinghouse dryer repair, found several ....one with a video:-) Punched in our model number and they went through the whole procedure....while it took them only 10 minutes, we took a little longer. But they had great ideas how to hold the drum while repairing, etc. Being recently laid-off this was a fantastic find. I have no idea how much a service call would be on the dryer nor could I afford a new one at this time.... Great old American Know How got it done.

There are really good instructions with photos on line - search squeeky dryer. I would add that it is easier if you mount the new bearing assembly on the drum before placing the drum back in the dryer cabinet. I guess this is obvious but was not stated in the referenced instructions. The round bearing slotts fairly easily into the plastic pillow block mounted on the back of the cabinet. Just make sure the small ball bearing remains in the center groove - lots of greese will help this.

First, I watched the how-to video and it gave very good instructions and a couple very good tips. I disassembled the dryer and took a little extra time cleaning all the dust that had accumulated. I then replaced the bearing and belt with no problems. This site and the video made it very easy to do and I will defenantly use it again.

Excellent!!! The parts fit perfectly, but most of all was the video that went through the repair step-by-step.

A local repairman quoted $198 for parts and another $150 for labor. Got the parts here for less that $26!!!!

The only issue (very minor) was the video called for a phillips head screwdriver to remove the front panel, and our dryer needed a squarehead driver. (If I was younger, I would have been able to see the problem).

But, I highly recommend Partselect!!!!

Took off front of dryer lifted up top removed drum. Replaced bearing and added grease. Slid new belt over drum lifted back of drum slipped into bearing housing.took little cover off back right corner put belt around pulleys. Reinslalled front panel. Tested machine working fine.

Dismantled the dryer to determine that the belt was broken. Called a local supply outlet to request a belt. They said they couldn't find one. Did an online search and found Part Select. Called with the model number and within three days the part was delivered. Replaced the belt and the dryer was working within an hour. Hardest part was getting the dryer out of the laundry room. I would certainly call PartSelect again if I needed a part.

This was for my Daughter's dryer. A helper really makes this quick and easy. First of all-UNPLUG the unit from the wall. I pried the top up with flat screwdriver. Laid the top back against wall. Removed the two wires from the door cut-off switch. Then removed the two screw attaching the front to the cabinet. Removed the small access panel on back of cabinet. Depressed the belt tensioner to release pressure on the leather drive belt. Went back to front, pushed the belt to the rear of cabinet, then lifted the back of drum to pop the bearing up and out of the plastic cup. I then tilted the drum forward and down and removed through front of cabinet. Reached inside the drum with Phillips screwdriver, removing the two screws to realease the bearing and BB bracket from back of drum. I attached the new bearing cup with BB to the back of cabinet, filling the cup with the high temp grease provided in the cup. Before installing the new bearing on the drum, I ran the new screws into and back out of the new bearing to cut the threads, making it easier to attach on the drum. I then put the drum back into the cabinet popping the bearing into the top of the plastic cup. Next I went to the back, put a bit of grease on the shaft that the tensioner bearing rides on. I re-set the belt on the tensioner, making sure the belt was back in the original position around the drum. I then re-attached the front cabinet centering the front of the drum on the felt. This felt supports the front of the drum. I manually gave the drum a few turns to make sure the drum was centered properly, and belt was mounted correctly. I then re-attached the two wires to the door switch. Slid the dryer into position, inserted the plug back into the outlet. Turmed it on, and now the dryer runs like new again. My Daughter is happy again. You will want to have a vac handy because it is unbelievable how much lint and dust are in the cabinet. I also took the filter bracket apart and cleaned it too.

Taking it apart was no problem other than having to remove solidified grease in order to remove bearing. Also I found it easier to remove belt by removing screws holding drum in place first. Putting it back together was more involved. Taping metal strip to back with scotch tape made putting in new bracket a breeze. Tipping dryer on its' back was the only way I could get the screw holes to line up when installing the drum. Removing the vent cover, and installing from the back, made re-installing the belt tensioner much easier.

The part arrived just in the nick of time as my wife and daughter had strung up rope all over the family room to dry clothes. My son helped me lower the dryer to floor level ( this is a stackable washer/dryer set) Removed the top and front of cabinet. Removed the belt and popped out the drum. Took this opportunity to clean the amazing amount of lint from the blower housing and discharge hose ( it is my opinion that the accumulation of lint and the subsequent rise in operating temperature is the main cause of this bearing failure) Removed and replaced the rear bearing and greased it. Reassembled the drum,installed the belt and reassembled the cabinet. the only tools used were a screwdriver and a nut driver....and of course a vacuum cleaner. The rebuild kit is very complete and is the only way to go. Thanks for your fast delivery time, one more clothes line in the family room and I wouldn't be able to watch T.V.

Followed online video. All went smooth. Runs great!!!!!!!!!!!!!