Wondering if it's difficult to replace belt in an electric clothes dryer?

Question

I have a Maytag electric clothes dryer. It was purchased used a few years ago, I don't know how old it is. It's always worked great, then started to make noise, as if something rattling around inside,(not inside where clothes are, inside machine). I pulled it out, and the metal tube attched to the vent (like acordian) hose actually wasn't secured to the back of machine, so I thought maybe that was the problem. I cleaned the dryer, inside & out, thru the hole exposed when I removed a metal grate that's about 8"x8". There must have been about 2" of lint inside, which was kind of scary-lucky I didn't have a fire. Anyway, when I put it back and tried it, machine is still making really loud noise, but was working okay. Now I've stopped using it, because I think it's running kind of hot. Could be my imagination, just because I'm afraid of fires. Someone told me they think it sounds like the belt is going. Does that sound right to anyone? And is it difficult/expensive to replace?

Answer 1

Try these links. Whatever you do...make sure it is unplugged.

good luck

Answer 2

well i don't think its the belt but they are easy to open at the back so have a look. if the belt seems fine start it up and have a look where the noise is exactly coming from it might need servicing belts are cheap, service calls are under a Hun.

Answer 3

It's not really hard, but it can be tedious. You have to remember the order of the parts and where they all go, and be able to hold them there during the installation.

I found some possible problems that could be wrong in case you're not 100% sure that it's the belt:

Could be worn rear drum rollers, idler pulley, or drum front slide kit. Whirlpool/Kenmore problems will usually be in the rear drum rollers or idler pulley, Maytag problems will usually be the front slide kit. GE/Hotpoint problems will usually be the front slide kit or rear drum center bearing.

It's fairly common for the blower wheel to wallow out and rattle around on Maytags and Magic Chefs. This type of noise is most noticeable when first starting the dryer and then when the stopping it.

If the idler pulley bearing is burned out, you'll usually hear a high-pitched squealing noise. (see source link below)

And also, try this site:http://www.applianceaid.com/ge-dryers.ht...

It's not for maytag but for GE, maybe they are similar. Scroll down a little once there and clikc question #16

Answer 4

Been there, done this many times. It's the rollers that make it sound like a gravel pit was dumped in there. But if I were to take the unit apart just for that, I would change the belt while I was at it. If the belt was busted, the drum wouldn't even turn. Also as long as you have the drum out to change the rollers you can do an even more thorough job of sucking the lint out. It will extend the life of the coils,limits and other parts while alleviating potential fire hazards. You might even consider cleaning it with a vac on an annual basis for the more limited access panels. Repairmen call this a 'tune up".

It doesn't take much time to do this. I changed these parts out and a ceiling fan while putting away a 40 oz. Little Kings. After two hours and with my hoofs up relaxing to the music from my roomie getting home to see my second open in my hand, I bought it to her attention that she didn't have to speak that loud cause the dryer was quiet. She quieted down real fast with a happy look on her face (a Kodak moment, 180 degree change in attidude).

If there's not a appliance parts supplier in your area there's always DIY.Com's parts detective. And compared to the price of walking through the door a service tech will charge you alone you'll save over half. At the time it cost me $20.00. Just look for the make, model and serial number and you'll be in business!