Part Location Diagram of 279640 Whirlpool Idler Pulley
See part 39 in the diagram
Replacing your Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley
( Grid squares measure 1x1 inch )

Idler Pulley 279640

Works With Model MDE22PDBZW0!
★★★★★
★★★★★
2 Reviews

Rated by 20 customers 

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Really Easy 

30 - 60 mins 

Ratings submitted by customers like you who bought this part.

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$26.92
In Stock
Fix Number:
FIX334244
Manufacturer #:
279640
Manufactured by:
Whirlpool
Works With Model MDE22PDBZW0!

Product Description

Often referred to as a dryer belt tension pulley wheel, this idler pulley is an OEM approved replacement part for a variety of dryer models. The idler pulley puts tension on the drive belt, and if the idler pulley fails to put the proper amount of tension on the belt, the dryer will not spin. It is located on the dryer drum, around the tension pulley. If your appliance is noisy during operation, will not tumble, or will not start, you may need to replace this part. It is made of durable plastic and has a diameter of roughly 2-inches. This part also includes the hardware needed for replacement. Most of our customers found this repair to be medium difficulty, and required a Philips screwdriver, 1/4-inch nut driver, putty knife, small flat blade screwdriver, and needle nose pliers to get the job done.

Videos For installing this part.

Replacing your Idler Pulley

Replacing your Idler Pulley

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Installation Instructions Provided by Fix customers like you.

Average Repair Rating: 3.7 / 5.0, 20 reviews.
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Customer:
David from Mount Carmel, PA
Parts Used:
W10837240, 661570, 279640
Difficulty Level:
Really Easy
Total Repair Time:
30 - 60 mins
Tools:
Nutdriver, Socket set
belt , pulley, and pulley bracket
Very easy... I you tubed nd watched the video took the dryer apart, found the problem & ordered the parts they arrived in 2 days and put it together in 45 minutes.
6 of 8 people found this instruction helpful.
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Customer:
Robert from ALPENA, MI
Parts Used:
279640
Difficulty Level:
Easy
Total Repair Time:
1- 2 hours
Tools:
Nutdriver, Pliers, Screw drivers, Socket set
Squealing clothes dryer
Always unplug or turn breaker off what your working on in my case I unplugged it and turned gas line valve off. Disconnected the gas line and dryer vent after unplugging it and put in well lit area with room to see what your doing. Pulled top and front dryer panels off to access inside. Rolled drive belt off dryer drum and removed drum t o get to idle pulley. Once replaced the idler pulley and clean dryer interior reverse what you do and check and clean dryer vent house before reconnecting and check for gas after reattaching gas line. Plug in and test.
3 of 3 people found this instruction helpful.
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Customer:
steve from FORT THOMAS, KY
Parts Used:
4392067, 279640
Difficulty Level:
Really Easy
Total Repair Time:
30 - 60 mins
Tools:
Screw drivers, Socket set
Dryer was making noise
Follow directions included very easy. It fix problem
2 of 2 people found this instruction helpful.
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Customer:
Anthony from Lee Summit, MO
Parts Used:
279640
Difficulty Level:
Very Easy
Total Repair Time:
15 - 30 mins
Tools:
Pliers, Screw drivers, Socket set
brearings in Idler pulley worn, loud unbearable squeaking sound!
1. unplug unit. 2. remove vent clamp from bottom rear of unit with screw driver. 3. remove all 1/4 in screws from back of unit and lift off top. 4 remove 1/4 in screw from brace. 5. remove back by lifting and pulling the bottom off vent pipe. 6. Swing the back open leaving the wiring attached. 7. reach in back and pull Idler pulley back e nough to get belt off. 8.with neddle nose pliers unhook spring. 9 with battery gun remove Idler arm. 10. with small screw driver remove clip from pulley arm. 11. remove old pulley and replace with new pulley. To finish repeat step 1-10 in reverse order
1 person found this instruction helpful.
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Customer:
David from Haymarket, VA
Parts Used:
279640
Difficulty Level:
Really Easy
Total Repair Time:
30 - 60 mins
Tools:
Screw drivers, Socket set
Squeaky dryer
Ordered the parts shortly after dryer started squeaking. The instructions provided were straight forward and easy to follow.The repair took just over 30 minutes and dryer runs quietly. The toughest part was getting all the screws to line-up when reinstalling the rear panel.
0 of 1 people found this instruction helpful.
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Customer:
philip from traverse city, MI
Parts Used:
4392067, 279640
Difficulty Level:
Easy
Total Repair Time:
30 - 60 mins
Tools:
Nutdriver, Pliers, Screw drivers
squeekey roller
Took off the back and replaced all the parts from the kit every thing snapped right in ...belt went in ok and drum roller too.!!
0 of 1 people found this instruction helpful.
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Customer:
James from CAMARILLO, CA
Parts Used:
661570, 279640
Difficulty Level:
Really Easy
Total Repair Time:
30 - 60 mins
Tools:
Nutdriver, Pliers, Screw drivers, Socket set, Wrench (Adjustable), Wrench set
Noisy belt idler
Remove rear panel,gas line and back drum brackets, removed belt idler removed belt from drum. Needed assistance with reinstalling belt due to drum needed to be lined up with front Door and rear drum bracket. Otherwise it was reality easy repair ??.
0 of 1 people found this instruction helpful.
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Customer:
allen from sandwich, MA
Parts Used:
279640
Difficulty Level:
Easy
Total Repair Time:
15 - 30 mins
Tools:
Nutdriver, Screw drivers
dryer was making a high pitch sound when turned on and continued
Un plug the dryer and remove the screws from the back plate exposing the motor and the belt and pulley. Remove the belt by lifting the tension spring. Next, pry off the old plastic pulley and replace it with the new one ordered from Maytag. Clean out all the lint while this is open and put a little silicone on the bearings of the support wheels at this time. The entire job takes about a half hour.
0 of 1 people found this instruction helpful.
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Customer:
Darrell from Sugar Land, TX
Parts Used:
279640
Difficulty Level:
Really Easy
Total Repair Time:
15 - 30 mins
Tools:
Nutdriver, Screw drivers, Wrench (Adjustable)
Idler Pulley bearing wore out and squeked a lot.
Disconnected the electrical plug. Disconnected the gas line. Opened the back of the dryer. Pulled the old pulley off replaced. It was very easy and i suggest taking pictures before pulling everything off the dryer. Pictures help if you are waiting on ordered part to arrive and you wait a few days with the dryer apart.
0 of 1 people found this instruction helpful.
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Customer:
Eleanor from Merced, CA
Parts Used:
279640
Difficulty Level:
Very Easy
Total Repair Time:
30 - 60 mins
Tools:
Nutdriver, Screw drivers
Dryer made a squealing noise
I utubed a video and followed instructions.
0 of 1 people found this instruction helpful.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating: (2 Reviews)
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Model Compatibility

This part works with the following models:
Fix Number: FIX334244
Manufacturer Part Number: 279640
Brand
Model Number
Description
Kenmore
10687884100
Dryer
Kenmore
10687884300
Dryer
Kenmore
10687884600
Dryer
Kenmore
11060052990
Dryer
Kenmore
11060052991
Dryer
Kenmore
11060056990
Dryer
Kenmore
11060056991
Dryer
Kenmore
1106007299
Dryer - Kenmore Dryer Model 110.6007299 (1106007299, 110 6007299) Parts
Kenmore
11060072990
Dryer
Kenmore
11060072991
Dryer
Kenmore
11060092990
Dryer
Kenmore
11060092991
Dryer
Kenmore
11060094990
Dryer
Kenmore
11060094991
Dryer
Kenmore
11060096990
Dryer
Kenmore
11060096991
Dryer
Kenmore
11060097990
Dryer
Kenmore
11060182000
Dryer
Kenmore
1106090199
Dryer - Kenmore Dryer Model 110.6090199 (1106090199, 110 6090199) Parts
Kenmore
11060901990
Dryer
Kenmore
1106090299
Dryer - Kenmore Dryer Model 110.6090299 (1106090299, 110 6090299) Parts
Kenmore
11060902990
Dryer
Kenmore
11060904990
Dryer
Kenmore
1106090799
Dryer - Kenmore Dryer Model 110.6090799 (1106090799, 110 6090799) Parts
Kenmore
11060907990
Dryer
Kenmore
11060912990
Dryer
Kenmore
1106092299
Dryer - Kenmore Dryer Model 110.6092299 (1106092299, 110 6092299) Parts
Kenmore
11060922990
Dryer
Kenmore
11060924990
Dryer
Kenmore
1106092799
Dryer - Kenmore Dryer Model 110.6092799 (1106092799, 110 6092799) Parts