Dryer Belt Replacement: 6 Mistakes to Avoid

Dryer belt replacement can sometimes be a little awkward. The problem doesn't stem from fitting the belt but in being able to actually access the part of the dryer you need to for effective dryer belt replacement. There are a number of things you should avoid although the job itself isn’t exceptionally difficult.

Mistake #1 - Unplugging the Dryer

Before you begin a dryer belt replacement, make sure you unplug the dryer. This might seem self-evident but it’s an important point and one that is sometimes forgotten by many DIY enthusiasts. Failure to unplug the dryer means that you run the risk of electrocution. Never work on electrical appliances without being certain that they’re unplugged.

Mistake #2 - Removing the Cover

You will need to take off the top cover of the dryer for a full dryer belt replacement. The easy way to remove the top cover is by removing the two bolts at the back of the cover. Once they’re off, you’ll be able to simply slide the top cover off.

Mistake #3 - Testing the Belt

If you don’t see a dryer belt stretched over the drum after you’ve removed the top cover, you will know for certain that you need a dryer belt replacement. If you do see one, reach down and pull on it lightly. Sometimes, a broken dryer belt can remain attached to the dryer drum and it might come off in your hands. The trick is to pull on the belt and judge the tension.

Mistake #4 - Back Panel

Getting to the back panel of the dryer can be a chore. Having reached it, plenty of people are in a hurry to remove it in order to complete the dryer belt replacement. You need to take your time and be sure the panel and the drum are properly supported while you take out the screws.

Another common mistake with the back panel is that people pull it out as soon as they’ve removed the screws. Don’t do this. Instead you should only move it out a few inches. Pull it out more than that and you could pull the wires out of the connector to the heating element. With the back panel just a few inches out, reach in and gently disconnect the connector from the heating element.

Mistake #5 - Fitting the Belt

There’s a definite knack to fitting a new belt to the dryer. Hold the belt in your left hand then use your right hand to push the pulley wheel in an anticlockwise direction. This will make it easier to get the belt over the pulley wheel. If you try to do it any other way, it will take a lot longer and be more frustrating.

Mistake #6 - Refitting

The work isn’t all over once the belt had been fitted over the drum and the pulley. To complete the dryer belt replacement, take time to vacuum any lint out of the dryer before putting the covers back on.

When replacing the back cover, you need to be certain that the drum is lined up with the hole in the back cover for the dryer to work properly.