Gas Dryer: Belt Replacement

How to Replace a Broken Dryer Belt

This dryer repair guide has step-by-step instructions for replacing a dryer belt that's broken or busted, this repair covers Kenmore, Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, Roper, Crosley and Estate dryers with a lint screen housing located in the top.

How to Replace a Belt on a Dryer

GAS, PROPANE & ELECTRIC DRYERS

The video below shows a gas dryer, the repair steps are the same for electric dryers.

Instructions

The dryer belt turns the drum when the motor starts.

If the dryers belt breaks, the motor still runs, but the dryers drum won't move. You can easily check whether the drive belt is broken by lifting the top and checking the belt. Replace a broken or damaged dryer belt and or dryer tensioner pulley.

  1. Unplug and Unhook the Dryer


  • Disconnect the gas line by using 2 crescent wrenches if you need more room. Wear work gloves to protect your hands the insides of appliances are razor sharp.


Pro Tip:

Lefty is loosie and righty is tighty.



In other words twist to the left (Counterclockwise) to loosen screws and spin them right( Clockwise) to tighten them.


  1. Raise the dryer top


Pull the lint screen out of the housing in the top panel of the dryer.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 2 screws that secure the lint screen housing to the top panel. To release the clips that lock the top of the dryer in place, push a putty knife under the lid near the left and right edges of the front of the dryer.

Lift the top and prop it securely against the wall behind the dryer


  1. Remove the dryers front panel


  • Use a slot screwdriver to release the locking tab on the wire harness plug for the door switch.

  • Disconnect the wire harness.

  • Use a 5/16-inch nut driver to remove the front panel mounting screws from the inside of the cabinet.

  • Pull the front panel forward slightly, and then lift and unhook it from the 2 bottom hangers.

  • Pull the front panel off of the dryer and set it aside.


  1. Remove the dryer belt


  • Pull the broken belt out of the cabinet.


  1. Install the new dryer belt


  • Position the new drive belt on the dryer drum.

  • Lift the front of the drum to access the drive motor and idler pulley.

  • Thread the drive belt through the idler pulley.

  • Push the idler pulley to the right and loop the drive belt over the motor pulley.

  • Thread the belt through the idler pulley.


Pro Tip


While the cabinet is open, vacuum the dust and lint from inside the dryer as well as put bearing grease on the drum rollers and belt tensioner pulley.


  1. Reinstall the front panel of the dryer


  • Position the front panel on the hangers at the bottom of the cabinet.

  • Line up the mounting holes and reinstall the screws in the top of the front panel to secure it to the dryer cabinet.

  • Plug the wire harness back into the plug on the door switch.

  • Make sure the locking tab engages properly.


  1. Reassemble the dryers top panel


  • Lower the top panel and snap it into place.

  • Reinstall the screws in the lint duct housing and reinstall the lint screen.


  1. Restore power to the dryer


  • Plug the dryer into the wall outlet.

  • If it's a gas dryer, turn on the dryers gas supply.


Dryer still not working? Is the dryer buzzing and not starting? Maybe it starts but shuts off and wont start for 5-20 mins. If so you have a problem with your motor. Check it for items and check drum rollers to see if they are tight and causing an extreme drag on the motor