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Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the idler arm on your Whirlpool Duet WED87HED dryer.

The idler arm supports the idler pulley on the shaft mounted to the arm. This pulley provides tension to the drive belt by means of the idler arm spring.

If the idler pulley has failed, you may need to replace the idler pulley shaft, which is mounted on the idler arm. In this case, it's simpler to obtain the pre-assembled unit and replace both components at once. The failure of either component will result in the drum not spinning correctly or drive belt failure.

What you need

  1. Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm 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 WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm 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 5/16 inch nut driver to remove the two 15.7 mm-long screws securing the top panel to the rear panel bracket.

    Edit

  3. Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Remove the top panel: step 3, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm 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 WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm 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 WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Unfasten the cover plate: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Use a 5/16 inch nut driver to remove the 16.2 mm-long cover plate screw.

    Edit

  6. Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Remove the cover plate: step 6, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Remove the cover plate: step 6, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Remove the cover plate: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the cover plate.

    Edit

  8. Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Disconnect the cord: step 7, image 1 of 1

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

    • Use a Phillips driver or a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the three 21.4 mm-long screws.

    • If your plug has 4 prongs, there will be a ground connection from the cord as well. Use a 5/16 inch nut driver to remove this connection.

    Edit

  9. Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Remove the cord: step 8, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Remove the cord: step 8, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm 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 WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Unfasten the cord terminal block: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Use a 5/16 inch hex driver to remove the 16.5 mm-long green ground screw.

    • Use a Phillips driver to remove the two 15.3 mm‑long cord terminal block screws.

    Edit

  11. Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Move the cord terminal block: step 10, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Move the cord terminal block: step 10, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Move the cord terminal block: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Move the cord terminal block behind the rear panel.

    Edit

  12. Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Unfasten the rear panel: step 11, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Unfasten the rear panel: step 11, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    FixMat
    $36.95
    Buy

    • Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the eleven rear panel screws.

    • Ten 20 mm-long screws

    • One 12.9 mm-long screw under the water inlet.

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

    Edit

  13. Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the 16.4 mm-length screw holding the main board bracket to the chassis.

    • Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the two 20 mm-long screws from the top rear of the machine.

    Edit

  14. Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Remove the rear panel: step 13, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Remove the rear panel: step 13, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm 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 WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Reassembly information: step 14, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm 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 WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Unfasten the idler arm: step 15, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Unfasten the idler arm: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Use a 3/8 inch socket, or a nut driver, to remove the bolt securing the idler arm to the motor frame.

    Edit

  17. Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Remove the idler arm: step 16, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm Replacement, Remove the idler arm: step 16, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Idler Arm 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
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

Member since: 06/30/22

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