How to Troubleshoot & Replace Ge AP2043227 / WE12X83 Idler Pulley

Watched the provided video a couple of times, then grabbed the tools I thought would get the job done, Put it on,pushed the nut on , put the belt on and we were in business! So simple a woman did it! I had an open access thru the back so I did not have to remove the machine front. 

REPLACED THE BELT AND THE IDLER PULLEY THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM NEITHER ONE WAS OBVIOUSLY VISIBLY WORN DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE, BUT ONE OF THEM MUST HAVE BEEN WORN, SINCE REPLACING THEM SOLVED THE PROBLEM MAYBE IT WAS ONLY ONE OF THE TWO ITEMS I REPLACED BUT FOR THE COST OF THE PART IT WAS NOT WORTH GUESSING AND HAVING TO ASSEMBLE AND DISASSEMBLE THE DRYER TWICE. OF COURSE IN THE VIDEO THE TECHNICIAN WHO PERFORMS THE JOB HAS PERFORMED THIS REPAIR MAY TIMES SO DOING IT THE FIRST TIME TOOK A LITTLE LONGER AND WATCHING HOW IT IS DONE AND DOING IT IS A BIT DIFFERENT ONE ITEM WAS NOT QUITE ACCURATE IN THE VIDEO, THE NUT ON THE IDLER HOLDING THE PULLEY DID NOT WANT TO COME OFF WITH NEEDLE NOSE PLYERS, IT UNSCREWED AND WENT BACK ON WITH A 1/4 INCH DRIVE SOCKET AND RATCHET. 

Replaced front support bearing and Teflon slides, rear drum bearing, and idler. Wanted to cover all bases while I had it apart. 

I purchased 3 parts: new pulley wheel, belt, and rear drum kit. 

I did not know if the belt, bearing drum, or the idler pulley was the problem. I decided to replace all of them. When I opened the dryer I found the bearing drum had bad shape. The other two no obvious defects but I replace all of them anyway. The noisy is gone after the replacement. I am happy to order the parts from appliancepartspros. It took only three days from placing the order to receiving the parts. 

Ordered the parts including new belt. Took less than 30 minutes to tear down dryer, instillation was a breeze. 

Took it all apart, cleaned every nook and cranny, and replaced all the gaskets, bearings, belt and its pulley. 

Initially discovered the belt was broken, so ordered new belt. Upon installation, learned the pulley was broken also. Pause, order pulley, resume. Dryer now works like a charm! 

Replaced drum support bearing and the bearing slides. took advange of the disassembly and replaced the belt and tension pulley, 

After searching for my symptoms, I found the awesome video on this site. I was able to diagnose the problem quickly. Once the parts came in, I was able to make the repair within 30 minutes.