As we say, a dryer should be seen and not heard. Your dryer does an important job, and it is also pretty important that it does that job quietly. When your Whirlpool electric dryer starts to manifest a squealing noise, it can be maddening, but it can also mean that there is extra wear on your dryer.
While squealing can have several causes, in most cases, it is from a damaged, loose, or broken idler pulley. The idler pulley is spring loaded and keeps the drive belt tight so that drive belt can rotate the dryer drum. When the idler pulley isn’t working as it was made, it manifests in squealing and needs to be replaced.
Before you begin, you will need:
- To unplug your dryer
- A manufacturer recommended idler pulley replacement. This can be found by searching using the specific model number.
- A Phillips screwdriver
- A nut driver set
- A putty knife
How to Replace an Idler Pulley
Start by removing the lint screen from the top of the machine, then unscrew the two screws that secure the lint screen housing. Remove the housing.
Slip the putty knife under the lid of the dryer and pop it up at each corner. Once the left and right corners are popped, you can lift it up.
Use your screwdriver to gently disconnect the wire hub. Use your nut driver to remove the mounting screws from the front of the dryer. Pull the panel forward just a bit, lift, and then unhook from the rest of the dryer.
The idler pulley is located at the bottom. Push it to the right to release the tension from the drive belt and remove. Insert new idler pulley, threading the drive belt back through.
Reassemble machine.
Replacing an idler pulley isn’t the most difficult repair you can do to a dryer, but it certainly isn’t easy, especially the threading of the drive belt. If you have a squealing Whirlpool dryer that needs repair,
contact us today.
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