How to replace the felt seal in your dryer

Place the dryer on a stable surface with enough room to work.

Open the small front access panel and vacuum out all visible fluff and dust.

Continue cleaning until no loose material remains inside the cavity.

Remove the screws along the rear edge of the top panel.

Lift the panel up and unhook it from the side clips to expose the drum.

Unscrew the three screws holding the control panel to the cabinet front.

Slide the panel upward and set it aside without straining the wire harness.

Pull out the lint filter and remove the main screw beneath it.

Extract the small screws securing the plastic slider ring around the drum opening.

Disconnect the door lock switch wires and free the lock from the front panel.

Drill out or pry the factory rivet and plan to replace it with a screw and nut during reassembly.

Reach inside and pull the drive belt off the motor pulley and tensioner.

Lift the drum straight out of the cabinet and set it aside.

Vacuum every surface, heater compartment and motor area until all lint is removed.

Remove any hardened deposits with a brush so the adhesive will bond later.

Wipe the entire plastic support ring with cleaning alcohol until it is completely grease-free.

Apply a self-adhesive sealing strip around the ring, doubling it where the groove permits.

Use a hair dryer to warm the backing and improve adhesion while peeling away the liner.

Press the strip firmly all the way around, keeping the thickness uniform to avoid noise.

Lightly coat the outer surface of the rebuilt ring with a few drops of machine oil.

Wipe away excess oil so only a thin film remains.

Measure the circumference of the drum rim and mark the new felt to that length.

Cut the felt with a sharp blade and join the ends with a zigzag stitch.

Wearing a glove, spread contact adhesive around the metal rim where the felt will sit.

Coat one edge of the felt with the same adhesive.

Stretch the felt evenly around the rim, pressing it onto the adhesive as you go.

Keep the felt snug and level to prevent future air leaks.

Set the drum back onto the rear bearing and align it with the cabinet.

Insert the two rear screws with their washers to secure the drum to the bearing plate.

Ensure the felt lip faces outward and hugs the drum circumference.

Center the belt on the drum and thread it between the tensioner and motor pulley.

Turn the drum by hand to verify the belt tracks correctly.

Refit the plastic slider ring and front bulkhead, aligning the air channels and clips.

Reattach the control panel and secure the lint filter and remaining screws.

Replace the original rivet with a screw and nut if you do not have a rivet tool.

Spin the drum by hand to confirm smooth, quiet rotation with minimal play.

Plug the dryer in and run a short cycle to verify proper operation and airflow.