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Amana Dryer Belt Replacement

Video Guide
This guide was transcribed from a YouTube video.

Introduction

If an Amana dryer with a top-right lint screen won’t start or the drum won’t tumble, a broken or slipped drive belt is a common cause. This guide shows how to open the cabinet, remove the front door panel, replace the belt, and check the idler pulley and drum rollers while you’re inside.

What you need

  1. Edit

    • Unplug the dryer from the wall outlet, or switch off the dryer breaker.

    • WARNING: Don’t work on a dryer that still has power, because internal wiring can cause serious shock.

    • Caution: Sheet metal edges inside the cabinet can be sharp, so wear cut-resistant gloves if you have them.

  2. Edit

    • Pull the lint filter out of the top-right lint screen opening.

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws located on the blower housing in the lint filter opening.

    • Reminder: Keep these two screws separate, because they’re used to secure the top to the blower housing during reassembly.

  3. Edit

    • Slide a putty knife under the front edge of the top panel to press in the spring clips.

    • Pull up on the top panel as you depress each clip to pop the top free.

    • Note: The clips can be finicky, so reposition the putty knife a little at a time until you feel the clip depress.

    • Diagram: The clips sit under the front edge of the top panel, roughly above the left and right front corners of the cabinet.

  4. Edit

    • Lift the top panel enough to access the door switch wiring on the right side.

    • Use a small flathead screwdriver or the flat edge of a putty knife to uncouple the door switch harness.

    • Depress the clips on both sides of the harness connector to release it.

    • Caution: Don’t pull on the wires, because you can damage the connector or break a wire at the crimp.

  5. Edit

    • Open the dryer door to access the mounting screws inside the doorway.

    • Use a 5/16 inch nut driver to remove the two screws that hold the entire door assembly to the cabinet.

    • Caution: Support the door as you remove the screws, because it can fall forward and the drum may shift toward you.

    • Pull the front face of the cabinet out slightly, then lift the door assembly straight up to unhook it from the bulkhead arms.

    • Note: Pay attention to how the door assembly sits on the small hooks and arms, because it can be tricky to align during reassembly.

  6. Edit

    • Look under the drum and note the belt routing and the idler pulley position before removing anything.

    • Pull the idler pulley to relieve tension, and slip the belt off the motor pulley to remove it.

    • Note: It’s much easier to unhook the belt with two hands.

    • Diagram: The belt wraps the drum, passes around the idler pulley for tension, and runs onto the motor pulley.

  7. Edit

    • Leave the drum in place if you only want to swap the belt, because the belt can be replaced without removing the drum.

    • Lift up on the belt and use it as a handle to lift the drum out of the cabinet if you want extra room for cleaning or inspection.

    • Check the drum roller wheels, the idler pulley, and the motor area while the drum is out.

    • Clean out built-up lint and dirt inside the cabinet if needed.

    • Set the drum back onto the rear bulkhead support if you removed it, and expect it to slide off until the belt is installed.

  8. Edit

    • Slide the old belt off the drum and slide the new belt onto the drum.

    • Install the belt with the grooved side facing the dryer drum.

    • Use the wear pattern on the drum from the old belt as a guide for where the new belt should sit.

  9. Edit

    • Move the idler pulley toward the motor while threading the belt under the idler pulley and onto the motor pulley.

    • Reseat the belt and try again if it doesn’t thread on cleanly, because it can take a few attempts.

    • Confirm the belt is secure on the motor pulley.

    • Spin the drum by hand and watch for the belt to move on the idler pulley and motor shaft.

    • Troubleshooting: If the drum won’t spin freely, the belt may be routed incorrectly or the drum may not be seated correctly on its supports.

  10. Edit

    • Set the bottom of the door assembly onto the hooks at the bottom of the cabinet opening.

    • Align the door assembly onto the bulkhead arms, and make sure the drum sits correctly on the front bulkhead.

    • Spin the drum by hand to help it feed onto the door bulkhead if alignment is difficult.

    • Use a 5/16 inch nut driver to reinstall the two screws inside the doorway.

    • Reconnect the door switch harness on the right side.

    • Troubleshooting: If the dryer won’t start after reassembly, recheck the door switch harness connection.

  11. Edit

    • Lower the top panel and press down until it snaps onto the clips.

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to reinstall the two screws in the lint filter opening that secure the top to the blower housing.

    • Slide the lint filter back into place.

  12. Edit

    • Restore power and run the dryer briefly while listening for abnormal rubbing or squealing.

    • Stop the dryer and recheck belt routing if the drum doesn’t tumble or if the belt walks off its track.

    • Inspect and clean a restricted vent system if drying performance is poor, because heavy lint buildup can contribute to dryer problems.

Conclusion

If the drum spins freely by hand, the belt stays aligned on the drum’s wear track, and the door switch harness is fully latched, the dryer should tumble normally. Reopen the cabinet if you hear new noises, and recheck the idler pulley, drum rollers, and belt routing.

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Ben Schlichter

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