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Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the drum roller assembly (drum rollers and roller shafts) on your Whirlpool dryer.

The drum rollers serve as the bearings for the drum so that it tumbles freely. When they wear out or fail, they will make a rumbling or squeaking noise. The noise will be fairly loud, as the drum roller shafts are strongly mounted to the chassis of the dryer.

The drum rollers are best replaced as a set. If one has worn out, there's a good chance that the others will follow since they all have bearings in them.

Check the drum roller shafts for wear when you are replacing each roller. If you see wear marks but cannot feel a groove with your fingernail or fingertip on the shaft, it's probably still serviceable. The shafts only require replacement if they're damaged.

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

  1. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Safety Precautions: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Before you begin your repair, unplug your dryer.

    • Your power cord may have four prongs rather than three. The additional prong is a ground connection.

    Edit

  2. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    FixMat
    $36.95
    Buy

    • Throughout this guide, keep track of each screw and reinstall it exactly where it came from.

    • Use a nut driver to remove the screws securing the top panel to the rear panel bracket.

    Edit

  3. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the top panel: step 3, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the top panel: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Grasp the top and slide it 1/2 to 1 inch toward the rear of the machine.

    Edit

  4. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the top panel upward to separate it from the chassis.

    • Remove the top panel from the machine.

    Edit

  5. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Disconnect the control panel: step 5, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Disconnect the control panel: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the control panel cable from the main board.

    Edit

  6. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the drum light connector.

    Edit

  7. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the control panel: step 7, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the control panel: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the screws securing the control panel.

    Edit

  8. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the control panel: step 8, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the control panel: step 8, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the control panel: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the control panel up and tilt it away from the chassis to remove it.

    • Make sure to thread the cable through the hole in the chassis.

    • During reassembly, thread the cable through its proper hole before reinstalling the control panel.

    Edit

  9. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Disconnect the door switch: step 9, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Disconnect the door switch: step 9, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Disconnect the door switch: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Use a small flat blade screwdriver or a spudger to unlatch both sides of the door switch connector.

    • Unplug the connector.

    Edit

  10. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the front panel: step 10, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the front panel: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the upper front panel sheet metal screws.

    • Tilt the machine backwards and prop it securely, or have a friend hold it.

    • Remove the sheet metal screws on the bottom edge of the panel.

    Edit

  11. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the screws inside the door area below the drum opening.

    Edit

  12. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the front panel: step 12, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the front panel: step 12, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the front panel: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • The panel is heavy and awkward. You may want to have a friend help you with this step.

    • Pull the bottom of the panel away from the chassis about two to three inches.

    • Lift the front panel off the small tabs on the chassis near the top of the panel and remove it.

    • Make sure you don't snag the door switch wire harness as you remove the panel.

    Edit

  13. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the cover plate: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the cover plate screw.

    Edit

  14. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the cover plate: step 14, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the cover plate: step 14, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the cover plate: step 14, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the cover plate.

    Edit

  15. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Disconnect the cord: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the screws securing the cord cables.

    • Mark the cables with a permanent marker if needed and take a picture or draw a diagram.

    Edit

  17. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the cord: step 16, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the cord: step 16, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the cord: step 16, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the cord carefully down through the round hole.

    • Make sure you replace the connections correctly when you reassemble.

    Edit

  18. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the cord terminal block: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the green ground screw.

    • Remove the cord terminal block screws.

    Edit

  19. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Move the cord terminal block: step 18, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Move the cord terminal block: step 18, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Move the cord terminal block: step 18, image 3 of 3

    • Move the cord terminal block behind the rear panel.

    Edit

  20. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the rear panel: step 19, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the rear panel: step 19, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    FixMat
    $36.95
    Buy

    • Remove the rear panel screws.

    • Throughout this guide, keep track of each screw and reinstall it exactly where it came from.

    Edit

  21. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the screw holding the main board bracket to the chassis.

    • Remove the screws from the top rear of the machine.

    Edit

  22. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the rear panel: step 21, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the rear panel: step 21, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the rear panel: step 21, image 3 of 3

    • Put on gloves before continuing, as the rear panel is sharp.

    • Lift the panel about 1/2 inch and tilt it to the rear to release it from the vent pipe.

    • Slide the panel off the vent pipe and remove it.

    Edit

  23. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Reassembly information: step 22, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Reassembly information: step 22, image 2 of 2

    • During reassembly, perform the following:

    • Make sure that the vent pipe is fitted into the collar on the panel.

    • Make sure the tabs at the bottom are aligned to the bottom rim of the chassis.

    • Position the panel so its screw holes match with the chassis.

    Edit

  24. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the lint filter: step 23, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the lint filter: step 23, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the lint filter: step 23, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the lint filter up out of the lint filter slot to remove it.

    • These photos show the front panel in place, but the procedure is the same if the front panel is already removed.

    Edit

  25. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the lint filter housing: step 24, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the mounting screws securing the lint filter housing.

    Edit

  26. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the lint filter housing: step 25, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the lint filter housing: step 25, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the lint filter housing: step 25, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the filter housing outward from the chassis and down to remove it.

    Edit

  27. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Disconnect the moisture sensor: step 26, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Disconnect the moisture sensor: step 26, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Disconnect the moisture sensor: step 26, image 3 of 3

    • Squeeze the locking tabs on the moisture sensor connector.

    • Disconnect the connector.

    Edit

  28. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Disconnect the main board: step 27, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Disconnect the main board: step 27, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Disconnect the main board: step 27, image 3 of 3

    • Label, photograph or make a sketch of the connector locations and of the main board bracket position on your machine.

    • Disconnect all of the connectors on the main board front half.

    Edit

  29. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement: step 28, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement: step 28, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement: step 28, image 3 of 3

    • Label, photograph or make a sketch of the connector locations and of the main board bracket position on your machine.

    • Disconnect all the connectors from the rear half of the main board.

    Edit

  30. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the main board from the main board bracket: step 29, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the sheet metal screw that retains the main board to the main board bracket.

    Edit

  31. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Separate the main board from the main board bracket: step 30, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Separate the main board from the main board bracket: step 30, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Separate the main board from the main board bracket: step 30, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the rear corner of the main board nearest to the side walls of the chassis.

    • You want to release the locking tab on the side of the main board.

    • Slide the main board toward the front of the dryer to release the tabs securing it to the main board bracket.

    Edit

  32. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the main board: step 31, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the main board from the main board bracket.

    Edit

  33. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the main board bracket: step 32, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the sheet metal screw holding the main board bracket.

    Edit

  34. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the wiring harness from the main board bracket: step 33, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the wiring harness from the main board bracket: step 33, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the wiring harness from the main board bracket: step 33, image 3 of 3

    • Lift off the main board bracket from the chassis and turn it so the bottom is exposed.

    • Using long nose or slip joint pliers, pinch the locking wings of the harness retainer clamp.

    • Separate the harness from the main board bracket and remove the main board bracket.

    Edit

  35. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the upper front bulkhead: step 34, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the upper front bulkhead: step 34, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the upper front bulkhead: step 34, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the screws securing the upper front bulkhead to the front of the chassis.

    • Remove the sheet metal screws securing the top plastic portion to the upper front bulkhead.

    Edit

  36. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the upper front bulkhead: step 35, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the upper front bulkhead: step 35, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the upper front bulkhead: step 35, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the upper front bulkhead and set it aside.

    Edit

  37. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Release the belt tension: step 36, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Release the belt tension: step 36, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Release the belt tension: step 36, image 3 of 3

    • Take careful note of the belt path before proceeding.

    • Be careful during this procedure! The idler arm is under spring tension and may pinch you, or it could damage the belt switch if the arm is allowed to snap down.

    • Push the idler arm (the metal upside-down "L") up to relieve the tension on the drive belt.

    • Remove the belt from the motor pulley.

    • Gently lower the idler arm until it rests parallel to the dryer floor.

    • During reassembly, refer to your notes or the belt path link to rethread the drive belt.

    Edit

  38. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the lower front bulkhead: step 37, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the lower front bulkhead: step 37, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the screws securing the lower front bulkhead.

    Edit

  39. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the lower front bulkhead: step 38, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the lower front bulkhead: step 38, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the lower front bulkhead: step 38, image 3 of 3

    • While supporting the drum, lift the lower front bulkhead off of the hooks on the chassis.

    Edit

  40. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement: step 39, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement: step 39, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement: step 39, image 3 of 3

    • Lower the bulkhead about 2 inches to free the drum rollers tucked under the drum.

    • While supporting the drum, remove the lower front bulkhead.

    • During reassembly, tilt the bulkhead to the right to get the rollers under the lip on the front of the drum. Once the drum is on the rollers, you can move the bulkhead to the upright position.

    Edit

  41. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the drum: step 40, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the drum: step 40, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the drum: step 40, image 3 of 3

    • Use the belt to lift the drum a few inches.

    • Swing the drum out of the front of the dryer.

    • Note which end of the drum faces the front.

    • If the belt is broken, stand in front of the drum and put your arms inside it. Lift it up and pull it through the front opening of the machine. Having someone to help you with this is a good idea.

    • Make sure you get your drum back on the rollers when you reinstall the lower front bulkhead. Take your time and don't force it.

    Edit

  42. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the drum roller: step 41, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the drum roller: step 41, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of long nose pliers to remove the triangular plastic retainer clip.

    • Sometimes these can pop off and fly, so make sure you have a good firm grip on the clip.

    Edit

  43. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove drum rollers: step 42, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove drum rollers: step 42, image 2 of 2

    • Slide the roller unit off the roller mounting shaft.

    • Repeat the last two steps for each drum support roller on the dryer.

    • If any of the shafts are damaged (you can see and feel a groove with your fingernail or fingertip), go to the next step.

    Edit

  44. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the drum roller shaft: step 43, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Unfasten the drum roller shaft: step 43, image 2 of 2

    • Use a box wrench or socket wrench to loosen the nut holding the shaft to the chassis.

    • A 1/2 inch drive impact driver with an impact socket may help loosen a rusted nut.

    • If the shaft is stuck, apply some penetrating oil to help loosen it.

    • If the shaft spins when you try to loosen the mounting nut, use locking pliers to secure the shaft.

    Edit

  45. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Roller Asembly Replacement, Remove the drum roller shaft: step 44, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the drum roller shaft.

    • Repeat the last two steps for each damaged drum support roller shaft.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.

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Bill Gilbert

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