Idler pulley replacement - Whirlpool Cabrio - doityourself

[danewilson77]

I haven't provided any DIY's in a while, so here goes.

Indications: Jaw shattering sound coming from dryer.

Tools needed: 3/8 socket, flashlight, small socket drive set, various standard/Phillips screwdrivers, shop rag, dryer drum support tool (I used my lil bottle of anti-seize).

Part needed: I just typed in my model number at Amazon. I think I pais around $20 shipped for the part.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/nicee46119/20141210_192407.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/nicee46119/20141210_192407.jpg.html)

Step 1: Disconnect power.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/nicee46119/20141210_212307.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/nicee46119/20141210_212307.jpg.html)

Step 2: Remove lint trap screws.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/nicee46120/20141210_213615.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/nicee46120/20141210_213615.jpg.html)

Step 3: Pry up dryer lid. I used a big flat head screwdriver and twisted it. Worked great and did not mar finish.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/nicee46119/20141210_212317.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/nicee46119/20141210_212317.jpg.html)

Step 4: Suspend lid out of the way. Bungy cords rule.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/nicee46119/20141210_192346.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/nicee46119/20141210_192346.jpg.html)

Step 5: Remove front door and disconnect electrical.

Here, all you have to do is remove the top two screws from the back side and disconnect the electrical plug. Tilt door assembly out, and pull up. Done.

Empty hole is where the screw was.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/nicee46119/20141210_192325.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/nicee46119/20141210_192325.jpg.html)

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/nicee46119/20141210_192338.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/nicee46119/20141210_192338.jpg.html)

Step 6: Remove the inner vertical piece. Just remove 4 more screws. Intuitively obvious. You will need to support the drum at this point from underneath. Pic of this further along.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/nicee46119/20141210_193435.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/nicee46119/20141210_193435.jpg.html)

Step 7: Remove idler. Reach in with some needle nose and pull the spring off the idler, remove 3/8" bolt, and reverse steps to install.

Nasty
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/nicee46119/20141210_194548.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/nicee46119/20141210_194548.jpg.html)

Cleaned up and new pulley installed.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/nicee46119/20141210_202109.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/nicee46119/20141210_202109.jpg.html)

Drum Support tool....ha!
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/nicee46119/20141210_202126.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/nicee46119/20141210_202126.jpg.html)

Maybe this will save someone someday. It saved me $2k as the wife was trying to get me to buy a new set.

[Hornung418]

This is too funny. I recently had our dryer apart to clean the lint trap. The whole trap came out and I went to town with the shop vac.

I turned mine on with the front removed to see how it worked. Really crazy how simple it is. The drum spins a fan which draws the heated air through the drum and out the exhaust.

Thanks for the DIY!!

"You don't have to blow out my candle just to make yours shine brighter."

[ryankokesh]

Haha... that's awesome. Good job! Gotta get in there on mine and clean out the lint from the exhaust pipe...

[Johnmadd]

Nice diy bro!