How to Fix a Broken Dryer Drum

The drum in a dryer can stop turning as the result of a faulty drive belt, tensioner or motor. Follow these steps to expose each of these parts so that you can determine which one is causing your dryer to malfunction.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Unplug the dryer and wait for the heating element to cool before you start working on it. Take off the top cover by removing the two bolts that should be on the back.

2. Remove the plastic cover on the bottom of the back of the dryer. Take off the air flow cover and remove the hardware holding the motor cover on. There should be an e-ring and two washers to remove.

3. Undo the back panel of your dryer by removing the screws around the edge of it. Pull the panel gently away from the drum just a couple of inches, then reach in to the bottom and unplug the heating element. Once that's done, fully remove the back panel while supporting the drum.

4. Inspect the dryer belt. It should have only a little play when you pull it gently. If it's cracked or too loose, this may be the reason your dryer drum isn't working properly. Replace the belt by inserting a new one over the drum and around the motor shaft, then pull the pulley wheel counterclockwise until the belt loops over it. Once the new belt is in, rotate the drum by hand to ensure a good fit.

5. Check the tensioner. Your dryer has a flexible wheel attached to a spring that regulates the resistance on the drive belt. This is the wheel that the drive belt loops under before going over the drive pulley on the motor. If the spring on the tensioner is broken or provides too little resistance, replace either the wheel or the whole assembly, depending on your model.

6. Determine that the motor is faulty if both the drive belt and the tensioner are in proper working order. Replace the motor by first unplugging the two wires from the harness and disconnecting the blower. Stabilize the motor and remove the spring clamps holding it in its bracket. Remove the broken motor and put a new one in its place. Perform this procedure in reverse to attach the new motor.

7. Plug the heating element back in. Replace the fan belt between the red and white pulley wheels, and reattach all the dryer panels that you removed. Ensure that the washers and e-ring are put back in place.

[repairdan]

on 1/28/2009 too specific. My dryer has nothing removable on the back other than the vent hose connection. My dryer has english, not metric, screws. Recommend including the brand and/or model...