How do I get inside my dryer?

That is a question I see an awful lot. So I thought I would touch base a little bit on that. A dryer has very few parts inside it. A drum a motor and some sort of heating device. Basically they are very easy to repair. The only problem is how in the heck can you get inside it to fix it without tearing it up? I will list each appliance and give my simplest answer, here goes:

GE HOTPOINT RCA: To access these dryers you open the door and look up at the 12 oclock position and their will either be 2 or 4 screws holding down the top. These must be removed and then you can get the top to come up(or off on newer models).

Once you have the top up you can get to the screws which hold the front on (2). Then you simply remove the front and get it out of your way. On these dryers there is a friendly rear hatch to help you replace the idler. You must remove the drum to access the heating element.

Kenmore Whirlpool Englis Roper: Depending on the type of door the dryer has, is how you approach the access of these dryers. Mostly though you yank out the filter first.Remove the 2 screws in the filter housing on top.Then use a putty knife to pop the top. Remove the screws holding the front panel on. VERY IMPORTANT! Raise the front up an inch before pulling forward or the panel clips will break! Some models have a panel on bottom.

If they do then this panel must come off first. Then you remove the door springs and back off the screws holding down the bottom of the door panel. Then pop the top and remove the screws on top to get the panel out of your way. To get to the heating element on most of these you simply remove the back panel. But you still need to access the inside to oil,clean and inspect for lint.

Maytag,Crosley,Norge,Amana: You begin on newer models by pushing in on the spring clips on top to release the top

OR you remove 2 screws at the base of the front and then pull the panel from the bottom towards you.

Make sure their are not screws on bottom before attempting to remove the top clips.

The heating element on these is usually accessed without having to remove the tumbler.

Westinghouse,Frigidaire,Gibson: These you simply use a putty knife to release the spring clips on top and then remove the screws inside that hold the front panel on. Simply move the panel out of your way and you is in business! You must remove the tumbler to access the heating element on these machines. Besides that I have a whole page on Frigidaire dryer 101, be sure to check it out too.

NOTE: All of these front panels will have a door safety switch of some kind. Some will have 3 wires(light in drum) most will have 2. Make a note of how the 3 wire switch's connect.

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