Samsung Front Load Dryer Disassembly

Introduction

Use this guide to disassemble a Samsung front-load dryer so you can access major components like the control board and console, the front bulkhead and drum, the heating element canister, the blower housing, the motor, the rear roller wheels, and the steam water line. This guide was written from the dryer shown in the source video, so screw counts, panel layouts, and connector locations may vary slightly on your model.

What you need

Step 1 Prepare for disassembly

Take photos of wire locations and routing as you go, so you can put every connector back in the right place.
WARNING: The source video doesn't show power disconnection or shutting off the steam water supply, so this guide can't provide model-specific steps for doing that.

Step 2 Remove the top panel

Use a screwdriver to remove the screws from the top rear of the dryer.
Pull the top panel toward the back of the dryer, and lift it off.
Note: The top-rear screws are usually Phillips screws, but this dryer had a different screw type from a past repair.

Step 3 Remove or swing out the control board housing

Use a screwdriver to remove the three screws holding the control board housing in place.
Flip the control board housing around for access.
Disconnect the control board wires if you want to fully remove the board.
Reminder: Take a picture before disconnecting any control board wires.
Note: On many newer Samsung dryers, you can leave the control board in place and still access the front bulkhead and heating components.

Step 4 Remove the console interface

Remove any screws securing the plastic console panel, if your dryer has them.
Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry up the retention tabs on the plastic housing.
Roll the console interface forward to expose the wiring harnesses.
Unplug the harnesses connected to the console interface.
Roll the console to about a 90° angle, and pull it out to release it from its retention tabs.

Step 5 Remove the door and front door frame

Open the dryer door.
Remove the two screws just below the opening of the dryer drum.
Remove the four screws securing the door frame to the bulkhead, with two screws on each side.
Push in the two tabs that retain the door, then pull the door forward, lift it up, and remove it.
Disconnect the wire harness from the door switch, and disconnect the wire harness for the door light switch.
Note: Some Samsung dryers have screws underneath the front that hold the front in place, but this dryer didn't.

Step 6 Remove the top metal bracket

Remove the four screws securing the top metal bracket.
Pull the bracket out of the frame, and disengage the small metal fingers on each side.
Release the wire harness from the bulkhead and from its retention tabs before moving on.

Step 7 Remove the front bulkhead and filter housing screws

Disconnect the moisture sensor wire harness before trying to remove the bulkhead.
Remove the four screws securing the bulkhead to the dryer frame.
Remove the two screws between the filter housing and the bulkhead, and remove the three screws securing the filter housing to the blower housing.
Lift the bulkhead up to clear its side tabs, and pull it off the front of the dryer.
Note: The two screws between the filter and blower housings weren't required to remove the front at this stage on the video dryer.

Step 8 Release the idler pulley and remove the drum

Reach under the drum to feel for the idler pulley.
Move the idler pulley counterclockwise from your perspective to release belt tension.
Slip the belt off track using the pulley or the motor housing.
Use the belt on the drum to pull the drum up and out of the cabinet.
Note: Clean lint and buildup while the dryer is open, because buildup can cause major problems.

Step 9 Identify major internal components

Locate the heating element canister on the right side of the dryer.
Locate the blower housing, motor assembly, idler pulley, steam port, and rear roller wheels.
Note: The blower housing has two sensors, one for maintaining temperature and one as an overheat fail-safe.

Step 10 Remove the heating element canister

Remove the screw that secures the metal leg to the heating element canister.
Disconnect the red wire and blue wire on the harness trunk that go to the canister and are not attached to the sensors.
Pull the heating element canister out of the dryer.

Step 11 Open the heating element canister and remove the element

Remove the two sensors from the canister by removing the two screws on each sensor.
Remove the approximately six Phillips screws that hold the canister halves together.
Lift off the top of the canister to expose the heating element.
Use pliers to pinch the two small connector tabs until they are flush with the connectors, and slide the connectors out of the ceramic block.
Pull the heating element out of the canister.
Caution: The video recommends wearing at least one glove so your hands don't touch the heater coil.

Step 12 Disconnect the motor harness and remove the rear vent panel screws

Disconnect the wire harness from the motor by pressing in the retention clips on the top and bottom of the connector.
Remove the three to four screws on the rear metal panel that secure the vent tube to the blower housing, and pull the tube out.
Note: Some Samsung dryers don't use the rear metal panel and only have the vent tube.
Caution: The rear metal panel can be sharp.

Step 13 Remove the motor and blower housing assembly

Remove the three screws that secure the blower housing to the chassis.
Disconnect the wire harness connector at the rear of the motor for the centrifugal switch by pulling it out.
Push the motor block to the right, and pull the motor and blower assembly out as a single piece.
Caution: The motor and blower assembly is heavy.

Step 14 Remove the blower collar and blower nut

Remove the screws securing the plastic collar on the blower housing, and remove the collar.
Hold the motor's belt nut in place with a wrench or similar tool.
Use a 17 mm or 18 mm socket wrench to loosen the blower nut by turning it clockwise.
Note: The blower nut is countersunk and can be difficult to remove.

Step 15 Separate the blower housing from the motor

Pull the blower housing off the motor shaft.
Note: If the blower housing won't come off, the video suggests cutting it out with a 1-inch hole saw or heating the metal shaft with a torch to weaken the connection.
Note: The video also suggests replacing the motor and blower housing as an assembled unit to avoid separating stuck parts.
Release the clips on the front and rear of the motor to remove the motor from the housing.

Step 16 Remove the rear bulkhead and steam water line

Remove the heating element canister retention screw, disconnect the two harness wires attached to the canister, and remove the canister from the rear bulkhead.
Use needle-nose pliers to remove the small blue clip from the steam water line at the steam port.
Press in on the collar that retains the water line, and pull the water line off the steam port fitting.
Remove the six screws on the back of the unit that secure the rear bulkhead to the chassis.
Lift the rear bulkhead up off its two tabs, and remove the entire bulkhead assembly.
Note: Your model may have more rear bulkhead screws than the video dryer.

Step 17 Remove the rear roller wheels

Flip the rear bulkhead onto its back for better access to the rollers.
Use an 8 mm wrench and a 17 mm or 18 mm socket wrench together to remove the roller shaft nut.
Hold the roller in place with the 8 mm wrench while you use the socket wrench to provide torque.
Remove the roller and shaft from the bulkhead.
Reminder: Note the orientation of the two large washers before removing them.
Note: Roller kits may include the roller and shaft, but may not include the large washers.

Conclusion

Disassembly is complete for the components covered in the source video. Keep hardware grouped by area, refer to your photos for wiring and harness routing, and watch for sharp sheet-metal edges when handling panels and ductwork.