How To Replace a Dryer Belt on Whirlpool Models

Step by step instructions to replace a dryer belt on a Whirlpool dryer. This is a easy repair that most do-it-yourselfers can do. It can save you time and money since you won't have to call in an expensive repairman for a very common problem.

Step 1 Tools

The tools you will need for this repair are as follows:

- 5/16th nut driver or socket
- Phillips screwdriver
- Putty knife
- Container for screws

Comments

[sherbin18]

After a bit of bad words, I finally got the belt on and working. The drum has to be PERFECTLY lined up or the belt will be too short. It's a really tight tolerance. Thanks for the great resource.

[plastik892]

I found that it all comes down to the tension on the idle roller. Wrap the belt around the drum, rubber side in. When you have it positioned and the belt through the idle roller underside, push the idle roller rod towards the motor assembly. This gives you the slack you need. Still a squeeze but it'll get on there.

[plastik892]

Between the article, this written instructional (http://www.davesrepair.com/DIYhelp/DIYWPLdrycleanlube.htm) and a high-temperature graphite lubricant, I was able to get things running quietly again.

Thanks.

[SpikeSpilker]

Very good article and pictures. When I got into my Whirlpool Estate TEDS840JQ0, instead of an idler pulley, I found the thing you see in this picture. We got this machine from a small business that fixes up and sells appliances. Is this part legit? Should I spend the 15 bucks on a pulley wheel and replace it? Thanks.

[The_PZA]

Mine just broke too, and has this 'glider' part, which seems totally ridiculous and a poor design; but you know what? It works! Thanks for adding the picture! Helped me out a ton!

[SlowNotEasy]

The "glider" pictured has been discontinued by Whirlpool, and replaced with a tensioner with a teflon ROLLER. 

[The_PZA]

AWEsome! Thanks to the follow-up comments, too. I was looking all over for the round pulley, until I read on about the 'glider', and how to put it on. Seems like a stupid design, but the darn thing's working now! Thanks very much!

[kamucols]

Great step-by-step, many thanks.

There is also a good video of how to do it at this site: http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Drive-Belt/341241/529597?modelNumber=LG5801XSW3#repairHelpVideoTabs

One caution if you use the video: they take the bottom part of the front off by levering with a screw driver at both sides. On our dryer the spring clips are at the the top of the bottom section about 3-4 inches in from the sides. You slip the screwdriver in and press them down to release. You have to get down on your knees with a flashlight to locate them.

[kshirin]

Thank You! How did people do this before the internet?

[SlowNotEasy]

In 2008 I purchased a belt, drive rollers, and a new belt tensioner.   I made a huge mistake by not buying genuine Whirlpool replacement parts.   The belt was OK, but the support rollers, and the belt tensioner roller was NOT the same as the original parts.

The dryer made noise and finally the belt tensioner was destoyed!   This month I bought knock off parts again, and immediately those parts caused a problem.  The appliance store gave me a refund, I purchased genuine Whirlpool parts, installed them and the dryer works perfect.  

My dryer is a Whirlpool gas dryer purchased in 2003 and works greal.  

On this site on 4/9/09 spikeSpilker pictures a "glider" to tension the belt.   That part has been discontinued by Whirlpool, and replaced with a "roller".

[teesalmon]

A little off topic, but I had the same experience with knock-off Toro snowblower parts. Junk compared to the genuine Toro parts. Don't buy cheap Chinese replacement parts.

[brandiderek]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! After learning that rather than buy a new (used) dryer, it could simply be a belt issue and not a motor issue, I was told to check the belt first. I had NO idea how to do that, and even so, how to change it. This site was a HUGE help (I couldnt have done it without it) and also a HUGE money saver. I appreciate all of the great pics as well as the step by step instructions. I didnt even need a new belt, my pulley had simply popped out and needed put back in.

[gramirez3]

I just replace the belt of my dryer Whirlpool, thanks a lot for your help, that was wonderful and really cheap.

[dtruly]

These instructions were a great help. Note: I have a much older dryer with the door that opens forward instead of to the side. It has springs which must be unhooked. Remove the bottom front plate and unhook the springs. Pretty easy once I figured out how it was put together.

[CaptainKhaotik]

OMG! This freaking rocks! You saved me a ton of money on a repair and/or countless hours lost by doing it myself blind! Thank you, sir! I can dry my clothes again!

[makayla_2369]

Awesome !!! This saved me about $150 ! Thank You Thank You Thank You !!!

[mom2logan]

OK. So hubby replaced the belt and vaccumed everything out. Apparently we have the "glider" that other posters say isn't used any longer. We put everything back together after vaccuming and it still doesn't tumble. Any other suggestions? Everything seems to turn easily when we are in there.

[jluby07]

Thank you so much!! I might be admitting my stupidity here, but I would never have gotten the belt back on or the guide roller back in place without your disassembly steps. Runs like new. Thanks again!!

[gabrael]

just wanted to say thnx from the bottom of my heart. you saved me $100 or so according to the estimate we got over the phone. i know nothing about dryers or appliances but now i can change a dryer belt. took me five minutes to put on and ten to put it all back to together and around room the way the wife likes it. your the man.

[tyghe]

This is fantastically helpful. Thanks!

[nitdogg]

Fantastic instructable. Great pictures and explanation. Paid only $15 for the belt and probably would have paid $150 if I were to call a service man!

[calhelha]

Excelent

[dtownfan13]

Saved me a a lot of money! $20 for the belt. Works great!!!

[ReCreate]

*in hypnotized voice* partselect.com must visit partselect.com must partselect.com is everywhere ah the Madness! AHH *explodes*

[jpaq66]

woohoo!! I did it!!! ty ty ty ty for this service, u guys are the shizzle!!!

[kibriant]

This was exactly what we needed to fix our dryer. We got it done in no time once we saw these helpful pictures!

[kornfreak976]

As an appliance repairman, I must inform everyone who reads this that this is one of 2 different whirlpool dryer styles! If you have the other style and attempt to take it apart in this fashion you might break the top panel and/or some of the internal elements of the dryer! Nice walkthrough either way! Thanks

[Vaughn999]

Good day. I have a Whirlpool Dryer that has the opening to the side in the front, not at the top like shown. Is the principle for opening it the same? My unit is not tumbling at all. Thank you.

[kornfreak976]

if you have the opposite style what you need to do is: at the very front corners of the console you will see 2 phillips head screws holding the console down(newer dryers have these in the rear).If you do not see the screws then they hidden under the endcap of the console. These endcaps are very easy to pop off. Just insert a flathead screwdriver under the top rear of the endcap, and pull towards you. After the endcap is off the screws will be at the base of the console. After the screws are out you can flip the console backwards, exposing three 1/4" screws (left)(middle)(right) near the rear panel that must come out so you can slide the top forward(not up) off the machine. Once all this is complete you will see 2 screws on the front panel(left)(right) side and your door switch wiring. Also you must take off the lower front panel to expose the other 2 screws that hold the front panel on. And this should give you full access to everything. ***warning*** there are a few newer styles still that do not use screws or endcaps but rather a small metallic clip that must be depressed with a putty knife(rarer style) If that is the case once you depress the clips in the lower corner(under the console), the rest of the teardown is the same as I have just explained!! Hope that helps.

[MYOTIS]

OPENED THE DRYER. BELT (THIN, GOES AROUND DRUM RIGHT?) APPEARS TO BE INTACT. ANY OTHER IDEAS?

[Vaughn999]

Will try it this weekend. Thanks a lot.

[bart10655]

My dryer takes about 2 hours to dry a medium size load and my washer is ringing it out well. Does anyone know if it is the heating element if so how do i replace it.

[Mike.]

The belt on my dryer snapped this week, luckily its under warranty but this is great if it happens in the future. Mike

[dacker]

Nice Instructable. Most people don't realize how easy it is to service an electric dryer; it's REALLY easy! I have a nice Reader's Digest appliance repair book for reference; your public library probably has a copy. I serviced my own Whirlpool dryer just twice in 20 years and it's still going strong. Like you. I replaced the belt, but only under the guise of "just in case" at about the 12-year mark. I had opened-up the dryer to replace one of the idler wheels which had worn out. I would recommend cleaning and relubing these wheels anytime you have to remove the drum. The black-rimmed idlers are visible in Step 9, picture 2 and step 10, picture 2.