Replacing the Idler Pulley

The idler pulley assembly resides to just to the left of the drive motor and is mounted on the dryer cabinet floor. The pulley's function is to provide tension for the drive belt. The pulley is plastic and the bearing surface is self-lubricating. The idler pulley turns about half as fast as the drive motor. When the pulley bearing wears out, it makes a loud, high frequency squeaking sound. Use the following procedure to replace the idler pulley.

New Whirlpool Idler Pulley Part Number: 691366

Replacing the Idler Pulley

UNPLUG THE DRYER.
If you have a lower access panel, remove it by pulling the top towards you and lifting it off the two lower support brackets.
Remove the lint filter and the two screws that were under it.
Pull the dryer away from the wall.
(Figure 1) Get a putty knife and slide it in between the top and the cabinet about 2.5" in from each corner to release the clips holding the top down. Push in and pull up on the knife to release the clips. Don't use a screwdriver for this step or you will damage the dryer finish.
Get a 5/16" nutdriver and lift the top up. You can rest the top on your head for this step. Reach in and remove the wires from the door switch. Mark them if there a three wires. Remove the clip holding the door switch wires. Replace the clip after removing the wires. Remove the two 5/16" sheet metal screws inside and near the top on both sides of the front panel.
(Figure 2) Now pull the top of the front panel towards you until the drum drops out of the front bearing. Lift the front panel clear of the two screws at the two lower corners. You don't have to loosen these screws. Lower the top.
Lay down on the floor in front of the dryer and grasp the idler pulley in your left hand. Push the idler pulley back to the right and slip the belt off the motor pulley with your right hand. Remove the idler pulley by lifting it out of its mounting slot ( you may have to move it slightly to the right).
Hook the foot of the idler pulley assembly into the slot in the floor of the dryer cabinet and pivot it down to the right to lock it in place.
(Figure 3) Check the belt to insure that the grooves are to the inside and the belt is not twisted. Loop the belt through the slot under the idler pulley, swing the idler pulley to the right and loop the belt around the motor pulley. Release the idler pulley. Check to see if the belt is lined up perpendicular to the shaft so that the belt won't jump off the pulley when you start the dryer.
Lift the top (hold it on your head again), position the front panel on the two lower 5/16" screws, replace the door switch wires and retainer clip, lift the front of the drum onto the front bearings and replace the two 5/16" screws securing the front panel to the cabinet. Lower the cabinet top and lock it down. Replace the lint filter chute screws and slide the filter back in. Plug the dryer in and check for proper operation.

Figure 1 (Return)

Figure 2 (Return)

Figure 3 (Return)