How to Fit a Dryer Belt
Fitting a belt on your dryer is a fairly simple process that you can complete in less than an hour. Dryer belts are sized according to the make and model of your dryer, making it easy to pick out the belt that you need. Dryer belts need to be replaced occasionally, as they can wear out or break from usage and exposure to the heat inside the cabinet. You can save the expense of calling a repairman by fitting the dryer belt yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Unplug the electrical cord of the dryer from the electrical outlet before attempting to fit a new belt on the dryer.
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2
Remove the lint screen from under the lint screen cover and locate the screws that are underneath the cover.
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3
Unfasten the screws with a screwdriver and remove them from the lint filter slot, setting the screws aside.
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4
Place a putty knife between the top and the cabinet on both sides of the dryer near the front, lifting up to dislodge the lid from the plastic clips that hold the top down.
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5
Flip the top back toward the back of the dryer and let it rest against the back wall.
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6
Locate the front kick panel and slide the putty knife just behind both sides of the panel, pulling forward to unfasten the panel from the plastic clips. Move the panel out of the way.
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7
Locate the screws that hold the front panel on the dryer cabinet at the top on the inside of the cabinet. Remove the screws using a screwdriver.
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8
Unfasten the electrical wire connector by hand, pulling it straight out from the back of the front panel. Move the panel out of the way.
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9
Place a couple of wood blocks under the front of the dryer drum to support it while you are removing the old belt. The drum is the cylinder that holds the clothes as they are drying, located just behind the front panels.
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10
Push the idler arm forward just a bit to relieve the tension on the belt, and slide the belt off the idler and motor pulleys. The idler arm is located next to the motor near the back of the dryer and has a pulley on a metal arm with a tension spring attached to it.
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Lift the drum up off the blocks just a bit, slide the old belt off of the drum, and take it out of the dryer cabinet.
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12
Hold the drum up just enough to slide the new dryer belt around the drum and fit the belt into the V-slot in the center of the drum, laying the remainder of the belt on the bottom of the cabinet near the idler pulley so you can access it easily.
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Loop the end of the belt around the idler pulley and over the motor pulley, pushing back on the idler pulley to release the tension on the belt.
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Let the idler pulley move back into place and check the alignment on the belt to verify that it is seated properly on the drum and the pulleys.
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15
Remove the wood blocks from under the drum when the new belt is installed and attach the front kick panel to the dryer cabinet, pressing the panel onto the plastic clips.
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16
Place the front panel over the kick panel and attach the electrical wire connector to the back of the panel by hand, pressing the connector back over the electrical prongs on the back of the panel.
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17
Attach the screws at the top of the front panel on the inside of the cabinet with a screwdriver. Lower the top of the dryer back down over the cabinet.
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18
Press the top of the dryer down over the plastic clips until the lid is secure and fasten the screws on the inside of the lint filter cover.
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Slide the lint filter into the lint filter slot and plug the electrical cord of the dryer into the electrical outlet.
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Tips & Warnings
When you have the dryer cabinet open, it is a good time to clean out any dust or debris with a hand vacuum or dust rag.
Always unplug the dryer from the power source before attempting to fit a belt on the appliance.
