Dryer belt installation instructions

Drop the new dryer belt between the front panel and the drum, and loop it over the drum Fig. Finishing up Open the dryer door and rotate the drum counterclockwise a few times to make sure the belt is tracking properly Fig.

Step-by-step photos 1— Prepare for replacing the dryer belt by lifting the lint-screen cover on the top of the dryer. Then remove the lint screen. Skip this step if your lint screen is inside the door. Remove the 2 Phillips screws inside the door instead.

Lift the corner and repeat on the other side. Then twist to release clip. These support the drum when the front panel is moved away from the sides. Do not completely remove the screws. These are accessed from the inside of the cabinet. Then resecure the front panel. To attach the new belt, begin by placing the belt, with the groove side down and lined up with the markings around the drum. Then loop the belt under the idler pulley that has a moving wheel and attach it back to the motor.

The idler pulley should apply tension to the belt. You may need an extra hand for this step since the dryer drum can sag down and make it difficult to reach the motor. Make sure the rear felt on the back end of the drum isn't folded under. If it has, use a screwdriver to pop the felt out while spinning the drum with your hand. Reassemble the dryer. Make sure the small tabs on the bottom of the dryer match up with the small holes on the dryer front.

Replace screws and lint trap. Many models did not have idler wheels, but instead just a semi-circle made of metal. Yes No. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 6. My "small tabs" on the bottom of the front casing broke. Is there a substitute or another way to hold it in place? It's all fixed but the front casing is lopsided and I'm unsure if this will hurt it.

What can I do? The same thing happened to me. I drilled one hole on each side of that, below where the tabs were, and used a couple of drywall screws to hold it in place. That was several years ago and it has been working fine ever since. Not Helpful 5 Helpful 4. Appliance stores and larger hardware stores will carry replacement belts. Take your old belt with you and they can help get you the same size. If you don't have any luck locally, you can find a replacement belt for your model on Whirlpool's website, eBay or Amazon.

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3. Move your dryer to an area where it will be easy to access the rear of the machine if possible. This means disconnecting the vent duct and unplugging the electrical power if not already done. If the dryer is ducted in with solid metal pipe, or hardwired into the home's electrical power, you may need to reconsider doing this job yourself. Do not attempt to loosen or disconnect the gas pipe from any gas appliance in order to move it.

Even a slowly leaking gas pipe is a very dangerous condition that will eventually ignite with potentially deadly results. Check the outside of the machine near the top for any exposed fasteners. Most dryers built in the last 20 years have hinge-like clips on the rear, and snaplock fasteners under the top to make removing the top easier.

Check at the lint filter access door for additional fasteners, usually counter-sunk phillips type machine screws. Remove any fasteners , either at the lint screen access, or the top rear of the dryer, putting them in a safe location for reuse when putting the machine back together. Pry the front of the top of the dryer up with a large flat-bladed screwdriver to disengage the snaplock that holds it in place.

Be careful not to twist or pry in such a way that the screwdriver slips and scratches or chips the finish. Once it is free of the locking ring, you can lift the cover high enough to see the top of the dryer drum. You should see a narrow reinforced rubber belt wrapped around the drum. If it is missing or very loose, you will need to proceed with replacing it. If it is still in place on the drum, you may have a problem with the electric motor which turns the drum or the electrical switches that control the dryer's functions instead of a belt problem.

Unplug the electrical wires at the front of the dryer that connect to the door safety switch. There is usually a plug connector on the wiring harness to make servicing the drum area easier, but if there is no apparent removable connector, you may have to cut these wires and reattach or splice them when you reassemble the machine.

Lift the top of the machine at the front, allowing it to hinge back on the rear of the machine. Watch the wires from the timer and machine controls so that they do not tear loose from their terminals or snag on a sharp metal edge when doing so.

Prop up the top of the dryer with a chair or other item so it is supported while you work on the drum and belt assembly. You may find a volunteer to simply hold the top up, but fitting the belt onto the motor and around the drum can take time, so having something to support it will make the job easier. Lift up on the front panel of the dryer. There are usually two friction type clips that fit a slot on the front panel, securing the bottom of the panel to the sides of the machine, and lifting this part will allow it to be removed so the drum can be taken out.

If lifting does not free the front panel, check underneath the machine for concealed screws or other fasteners. If none are located, try prying the front free. Hold the front edge of the dryer drum, and remove the front panel entirely , placing it to the side. Now you are ready to slide the dryer drum out of the dryer housing. Lift the front up and remove it. Once the front is off you can reach under the tub and unhook the belt by pulling the idler pulley to the right. This will relieve the tension on the belt so that you can remove it from the motor pulley.

Now you are ready to install the new GE dryer belt. Wrap the dryer belt around the drum with the grooves of the belt facing down towards the drum. Pull the belt around the drum several times to ensure it is not twisted. Note that if the belt is twisted it will more than likely jump off the first time you turn the dryer on.

On older dryers there is an access panel on the back of the dryer that will allow you to see the motor and idler pulley. I recommend connecting the belt through this access hole. If there is not an access panel on the back of the dryer, you must connect the dryer from the front. Reach under the drum and connect the belt to the motor pulley. Then pull the idler pulley to the right and loop the belt on the idler pulley. I usually do this in two stages, first I loop the belt on the idler pulley shaft then reposition my hands to get a better grip then pull the pulley again to loop it around the belt.

Reassemble the dryer. The dryer belt diagram below should help. Whirlpool Dryer Belt Installation. This section of the dryer belt installation guide will describe how to install a Whirlpool dryer belt. There are two common types of Whirlpool dryers.