ApplianceJournal.com

It seems like there’s always something wrong with the dryer, and it always seems to happen when you need to get that certain important piece of clothing dry. This time, it’s the belt, and you’re tired of calling for help every time something has to be replaced or repaired on the dryer. This time, though, there’s no need for concern. Replacing the belt on your dryer is an easy do-it-yourself job.

The actual part you’ll be replacing is the drive belt, which snaps on occasion. You can identify the break easily because it typically happens during a cycle. You’ll note a loud bang and notice that the drum inside is no longer turning. With a few simple tools, you can replace the belt yourself. The following are instructions for a gas dryer, but an electric unit would be very similar.

Start by unplugging the dryer for safety purposes, and then remove the lint screen and cover. You’ll then find two screws beneath the cover that you’ll need to remove. You’ll want to remove the door, using a putty knife or other thin bladed object to release the locking clip and lift the corner of each side. Rest the top against the wall. Next, you’ll need to remove the lower toe panel, twisting the knife to release these clips. When both sides are released, you’ll lift the panel up and off the hinge springs. Use scrap wood to hold up the drum of the dryer while you are replacing the belt.

To remove the belt, loosen the two screws you’ll find on each side of the bottom of the front panel, turning each about 1 ½ turns, then removing the screws from the inside of the cabinet that hold the top front panel to the sides. Now, you can easily slide the old belt off. To replace, you’ll need to allow the drum to rest on those pieces of scrap wood so that you can drop the new belt between the front panel and the drum, where you will then loop it over the drum before lifting the drum a bit and pushing the front panel back into place.

Put the screws back in the top, tighten the lower screws, and take the scrap wood out from under the drum. Make sure that the rear drum seal is properly fit over the lip of the rear bulkhead, with the grooved side of the belt facing down. Now, you’ll move to the motor area, where you’ll pull out the old driver belt and route the new one around the idler and drive pulley. When you are done, you want to open up the dryer and rotate the drum by hand a few times to ensure proper tracking. Replace the screws beneath the lint screen and replace the screen and its cover.

With just a little time and effort, you’ve replaced the belt on your own dryer, and you didn’t have to spend the money to have it done for you. It’s a simple process that you could easily repeat again!

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