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Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement

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

  1. Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley 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 Idler Pulley Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley 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 Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the top panel: step 3, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley 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 Idler Pulley Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley 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 Idler Pulley Replacement, Unfasten the cover plate: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the cover plate screw.

    Edit

  6. Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the cover plate: step 6, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the cover plate: step 6, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the cover plate: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the cover plate.

    Edit

  8. Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Disconnect the cord: step 7, 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

  9. Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the cord: step 8, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the cord: step 8, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the cord: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the cord carefully down through the round hole.

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

    Edit

  10. Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Unfasten the cord terminal block: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the green ground screw.

    • Remove the cord terminal block screws.

    Edit

  11. Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Move the cord terminal block: step 10, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Move the cord terminal block: step 10, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Move the cord terminal block: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Move the cord terminal block behind the rear panel.

    Edit

  12. Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Unfasten the rear panel: step 11, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Unfasten the rear panel: step 11, 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

  13. Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement: step 12, 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

  14. Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the rear panel: step 13, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the rear panel: step 13, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the rear panel: step 13, 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

  15. Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Reassembly information: step 14, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Reassembly information: step 14, 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

  16. Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Unfasten the idler arm: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the bolt securing the idler arm to the motor frame.

    Edit

  17. Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the idler arm: step 16, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the idler arm: step 16, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the idler arm: step 16, image 3 of 3

    • Move the idler arm toward the side of the dryer to unhook the idler arm tension spring from the arm.

    • Remove the idler arm.

    • During reassembly, be sure to reattach the spring before securing the arm.

    Edit

  18. Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the retaining clip: step 17, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the retaining clip: step 17, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the retaining clip: step 17, image 3 of 3

    • Use long nose pliers to remove the plastic retaining clip from the groove in the idler pulley shaft.

    Edit

  19. Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the idler pulley: step 18, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the idler pulley: step 18, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley Replacement, Remove the idler pulley: step 18, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the idler pulley straight off its shaft and remove it.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

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

Author

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Bill Gilbert

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3 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!

Ken - Reply

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.

Bill Gilbert -

(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.

Bill Gilbert -

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