Drum Belt

Replaced the belt

Before I started the repair, I found the dryer nonoperative. The motor would just buzz. Being that the dryer is 19 years old I figured the bearings seized up. I pulled the small back access panel, took off the belt from the tensioner. And tried to turn the motor shaft. It wasnt budging. So, before ordering parts, I took the dryer apart, to make sure the rest of the dryer was ok. With a flat head screw driver, I popped the two clips that hold the top to the front of the dryer. Then I laid the top against the wall(its sorta hinged at the back). Then undid to screws, one on each side, where the front attaches to both sides. Then, undid the wiring to the door closed switch, and cut the ziptie to get the wires out of the way. Then, I just pulled up the front a lil, to get it off the side clips, and laid it flat on the ground to undo the clips at the bottom. The upper drum guide was shot, so i knew i needed another one of those. The drum, came out easy. A quick firm tug of the belt upwards unseated the spindle from the bushing in the back, and the drum came out threw the front of the dryer. The belt was ok, but, being so old I figured i might as well replace it. The motor was down at the bottom. One half circular clip holds the back bearing in place, you pop that from the left hand side. One the back of the blower housing is a plastic slider pieced that snugs up against the front motor bearing. Pull that up and out. The blower wheel is left hand threads,(theres an arrow showing direction for off) so make sure you turn the ratchet the correct way Its either a 7/8 or 22 mm, I just used used a 22 mm(its all i had handy) with a extension(and a pair of plyers to hold the other end of the shaft). Youll have to move the motor backwards while unscrewing the blower wheel because there isnt much room in the housing. Once thats detached(you leave the blower wheel in the housing) I unplugged the motor, and lifted it out. There bearings were seized bad. So i ordered a motor, belt and upper drum guide. While waiting, I cleaned ALL the lint buildup inside the dryer.The parts came within 3 days. First i scrapped off the old upper drum guide from the front piece, and glued the new one in. I also used clothes pin sorta clips to to hold it in place while it dried. I let it dry overnight. The following day, i put the motor back in, getting the shaft inside the blower wheel, and turning the wheel on the shaft while positioning the motor where its suppose to sit. Then tightened up the blower wheel with the 22mm socket. It doesnt need to be super tight. You'll have to hold the other end of the motor shaft while tighting it up with a pair a plyers. Then plugged the plug bck into the motor. Once that was done, i took the old belt off the drum, and put the new one on. Make sure the ribs on the belt are facing the same way as the old one. Then it was pretty straight forward really, put the drum back in(i greased up the spindle that sits inside that bushing/bracket). Seated the spindle in the bushing. Put the front panel back on.in reverse order,laid the top back down and seated it to the clips sticking up from the front panel.Then, got into the access panel, and put the belt back on the motor, and tensioner. then put the access cover back on Then it was done and ready to test. Plugged it back into the wall, hooked the duct work back up, and viola, she runs and purrs like a kitten, good as new!

Watched the video & then did the repair the next day. It was easier than I expected, as I did not take any notes of video. Good price, delivery and all around very satisfied. Thanks!.

Watched the repair video on this site, then took dryer apart. My dryer was a little different than the one in video, but the video made repair a lot easier. I defenanetly will use this site again, what a money saver.

Replaced the drum bearing kit. Hardest part was screwing new screws into the rear bearing. I recommend you screw them in first then take them out then place bearing on drum and screw them back in or youll never bet them on. Add plenty of grease and put the bearing in from outside back not from inside. Alot easier. CAREFUL OF METAL SO SHARP IT CUTS LIKES RAZOR USE TOWEL AND LONG SLEEVES OR YOULL LOOSE FINGERS EASY.

so eliminated idea of thermostat. replaced heating element coil. also replaced drum bearing and belt as long as it was apart Forgot to mention how quickly we received our parts. Amazingly fast. Thank you .

This model dryer has the controls on the front, top of the machine. The video provided on the part select web site has the controls at the top rear of the machine. To access the belt you need to remove the top panel, releasing the screws and spring clips, front and back. Then you need to remove the front panel (with the door and drum seal) by removing the two screws inside, top left and right and then releasing the spring clips below the screws. This can be done as the video shows with a metal putty knife. The front panel can stay attached with its wiring and swung to the right side out of the way. The old belt can be removed and the new belt positioned from the front by lifting the drum an inch or so and sliding the belt under and around the drum. Then the belt can be positioned on the motor pulley and spring idler as per the video using a mirror with a good light. Be sure that the grooved side of the belt is on the outside of the drum.

On the back of the dryer there is an inspection cover, remove it and you can get to the belt. release tension and remove the belt (Very easy to do, no tools required). Two screws hold the top in place, remove, slide top back and set to side. There are two screws and four clips holding the front on remove the screws and pop the clips loose, unplug wiring harness and remove front. Remove plastic guide that is in front of the drum, pop drum up and out of bracket holding the back, slide drum out the front. Now you have access to the rear drum bearing. Reassemble in the reverse order. There is a good video online that you can follow prior to starting this project.

Opening the dryer and replacing the belt was not that hard but getting the front on straight was a chore. The dryer is old and one of the bottom clips broke when I took the front off. This made getting the front lined up to put the two screws in very difficult.The other clips on the front were missing. Took me a long time to get it all lined up to finish. The dryer still has a squeak. Not as bad as before. I would suggest greasing any parts that need it before closing the dryer and finishing the job.

There is no need for me to describe how my friend and I did this repair as this site offers wonderful video instruction! I am a 50 year old woman, willing to try new things...like dryer repair... we simply took our time and followed the video instructions. I have stackable washer & dryer so this wasn't a one woman/man job. It was smooth as silk and my dryer is back to like-new condition! THANK YOU!