Introduction
Use this guide to replace the idler pulley on your Whirlpool dryer.
This pulley provides tension to the drive belt. If it fails, the dryer will not spin properly, and the drive belt will likely break.
Usually, this part makes squeaking and grinding noises when it's failing. The motor may also overheat because the belt is hard to move.
Although the photos in this guide show the blower housing removed from the machine, this is mainly for clarity. You don't need to remove the blower housing to perform this repair.
This guide will work for most Whirlpool dryers. This guide is written with a model WED87HED dryer. If you have a different model, you may encounter some minor disassembly differences, but the overall repair process will be the same.
What you need
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Tool used on this step:FixMat$36.95
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Use a nut driver to remove the screws securing the top panel to the rear panel bracket.
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Grasp the top and slide it 1/2 to 1 inch toward the rear of the machine.
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Lift the top panel upward to separate it from the chassis.
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Remove the top panel from the machine.
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Remove the green ground screw.
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Remove the cord terminal block screws.
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Move the cord terminal block behind the rear panel.
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Tool used on this step:FixMat$36.95
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Remove the rear panel screws.
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Remove the screw holding the main board bracket to the chassis.
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Remove the screws from the top rear of the machine.
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Lift the panel about 1/2 inch and tilt it to the rear to release it from the vent pipe.
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Slide the panel off the vent pipe and remove it.
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Make sure that the vent pipe is fitted into the collar on the panel.
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Make sure the tabs at the bottom are aligned to the bottom rim of the chassis.
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Position the panel so its screw holes match with the chassis.
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Remove the bolt securing the idler arm to the motor frame.
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Move the idler arm toward the side of the dryer to unhook the idler arm tension spring from the arm.
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Remove the idler arm.
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Use long nose pliers to remove the plastic retaining clip from the groove in the idler pulley shaft.
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Lift the idler pulley straight off its shaft and remove it.
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Ask FixBot
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.
4 Guide Comments
Thank you for the very detailed instructions! I can’t get the back off of my WED6120HC0 and I don’t want to damage it by pulling it. It feels as though it’s still fastened though I don’t see anything further to remove. Any help would greatly appreciated!
Hi Ken! Where does it feel like is is still fastened? There is a sleeve on the back panel that goes around the exhaust duct that could be binding a bit. Does it feel like it is fastened near the bottom? Remember that you have to lift up slightly.Look at step 13 of the guide and Step 14 as well to see how you have to reassemble it. It can feel a little stuck. Make sure you got every single fastener.
(Edit) The Service Manual I found does not give instructions for removing the rear panel if you are doing the idler pulley. So, I imagine it is similar to what I have shown. They do say to remove the rear panel for the water inlet valve, so it must be removable.
