Change a Clothes Dryer Belt

One of the most common causes for a clothes dryer to fail is a broken drive belt on the dryer drum. This is an easy do it yourself repair, which uses very few tools, and can save a lot of money. Here are the steps for accomplishing this task.

Steps

  1. Disconnect the dryer from the electrical supply. The easiest way to do this is to simply unplug it from the receptacle. This will prevent accidental electrical shocks and burns.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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. Most dryers body screws are either {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} or {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} machine screws, so a nut driver of the right size will make this job easier, but even a pair of common pliers will do in a pinch.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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. If the old dryer belt is still attached, you will need to slide it off the drum so the drum can be removed, or cut it and simply pull it out.
  11. Pull the dryer drum forward while balancing its weight, and remove it from the dryer housing.
  12. Take the old belt and any information from your dryer to an appliance parts supplier to match it for a replacement. Some dryer manufacturers do not have aftermarket replacement parts suppliers, so you may find you have to locate a dealer for your particular brand of dryer.
  13. Clean-a-Clothes-Dryer-Vent, trash, or other debris from the dryer's housing. If the lint filter ductwork is removable, now may be a good time to do so and clean it, as well. Wipe down the drum rollers and guides while you have the drum removed as well.
  14. Wrap the new belt around the drum when you are ready to reinstall it. Observe the drum, you should see a mark where the old belt fit the drum, and make sure the new belt is set at the same location. Slide the drum back into the machine, and support the front of the drum to hold it in position.
  15. Lay down in front of the dryer, and look underneath the drum to the belt tensioner and the electric motor that turns the drum. Fit your new belt through the tensioner and around the pulley on the motor, making sure the traction grooves are facing the pulley in the correct fashion.
  16. Slide the front cover up to the front of the drum, removing any support blocks from underneath the drum when you do so. Push the front completely in, lifting it over the latches and allowing it to drop onto them to secure the bottom in position. Push the top in, making sure the seals fit inside the drum snugly, without damaging them. These seals are usually felt, or some other soft material, and are held in place with an adhesive.
  17. Replace the screws removed to take the front panel off in the reverse order they were removed in, making sure you plug in all electrical connections as you do so. Let the top of the dryer drop down into position, and press at each corner to engage the snaplocks. Check to make sure all additional fasteners are replaced and tightened snugly.
  18. Replace the dryer in its usual position, and reattach the dryer vent ductwork. Make sure this ductwork is clean inside, since lint bypassing the lint filter can eventually stop the duct up. Plug the dryer back into its receptacle and turn it on to test it.



Tips

  • Use your digital camera, camcorder or cell phone camera to take a few pictures as you work, it may be helpful in remembering how to reassemble the machine.
  • Thoroughly clean the inside of the dryer housing while the drum is removed.
  • Most dryers are designed to be serviced in place, but removing them to an open area makes the job much easier.
  • Most belts come with replacement instructions specific to the machine they are made for.
  • Aftermarket belts (and other parts) are often much less expensive than OEM parts, but make sure they are equal or superior in quality.

Warnings

  • Unplug the dryer before attempting to do any work to it.
  • Never attempt to loosen or disconnect natural gas or propane supply lines from appliances. Leaking pipes will allow the build up of combustible gasses that when left unchecked; will eventually ignite / explode. In most locations, only a qualified person (re: licensed plumber or pipe fitter) can connect and disconnect gas appliances.
  • Hardwired, or Wire-an-Electric-Dryer dryers can be dangerous to work on if you are not familiar with basic electrical work.

Things You'll Need

  • Flat blade and Phillips screw drivers.
  • Pliers or nut-drivers
  • A Flashlight
  • New parts

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