How to Troubleshoot & Replace Speed Queen AP6285125 / D510185 Spring Idler

For about the last month or so the clothes (especially sheets) would just roll into a ball (like a big sausage) the wouldn't dry. Kept readjusting the clothes. I went on the internet to see what the issue could be and found lots of advise about shaking out the sheet and clothes first, using tennis balls, and using fuller or smaller loads. None of that worked. But I finally figured out that the reason they roll into a ball is because the belt around the drum is slipping or stretched. This slippage (especially with a heavy wet load) slows the rotation of the drum just enough so that the clothes don't get tossed enough- just rolled and then they form a big ball. The drum stopped turning just a couple days ago to I took it apart to discover the belt had a serious wear spot, and the tension pulley was also cracked and coming apart. I ordered a new tension pulley, (assembly is optional )new belt and idler spring for a total of $40 including shipping. One hour to tear down and an hour to put back together (because it's the first time). Degree of difficulty 3 on scale of 10. Called a couple local shops- would have cost nearly $100. for same parts not including labor. Time from phoned In order to drying first load 2 days. (part arrived 2 days after order- standard shipping). Very happy- did it all myself (I'm only 70 years old) . Just be careful as metal parts inside unit have shape edges (use gloves). I did not even disconnect the gas or exhausted. just tilt the unit back a little with a block under front. 

I pulled the dryer away from the wall and unplugged it. Then I used a 5/16 nut driver and removed the 2 screws in the bottom front panel and pulled it off. Next I removed the 2 5/16 screws holding the front door panel and pulled it down far enough to disconnect the wires for the light and the wires on the door switch. Then , using a putty knife I popped the springs holding the top and control panel then pulling the top up and resting it against the wall. Now I started my repair by laying on the floor and reaching under the drum and pushed the idler pulley toward the motor drive pulley gaining slack in the belt and pushed it off the idler with my fingers. Next , I stood and lifted the drum up and out the front of the cabinet with the belt still around the drum.next I unhooked the spring from the idler and noticed it was contorted quite excessively so I installed the new one and by using two 9/16 wrenches I removed the idler from the motor housing and installed the new one. Then I took a large flat head screwdriver and pried off the snap rings holding the drum rollers on and installed the new rollers after lightly greasing the shafts with a dab of axle grease. Then I wrapped the new belt around the drum and installed it on the rollers and got back on the floor and reached under the drum to wrap the belt around the idler pulley and pushed it toward the right side wall and hooked it around the motor pulley. Then I replaced the wires on the light and on the door switch and then I let the top down and replaced the two 5/16 screws to hold it in place. Next I installed the bulkhead by inserting the two tabs in the alignment slots in the frame and replaced the five 5/16 screws to hold it in place. Then I installed the bottom panel with two 5/16 screws at the bottom of the panel next to the floor. Then I slid the dryer back and installed the vent hose and replaced the new lint screen , then closed the door and started the dryer to check my repair. It works like brand new and all the work was worth the effort I put into it. Thanks so very much Appliancepartspros.com for supplying such terrific parts and for the great prices and even the step by step instructional videos if someone gets confused or stuck during the repair. I will definitely be ordering my parts from appliancepartspros.com and not anywhere else. 

I had to take the lower pannel off and then the pannel around the door. the top was next to come off the belt was still connected. So I dissconnected the belt took off the front drum support pannel theand removed the drum. The belt was chewed up and the tensioner pully was also very tight. I took the motor out of the machine and found the drive pully on the motor was stripped out on the motor shaft. the motor shaft threads were ok but you cann't get the pully seperate you have to get the hole motor. so I had nothing to loose, I epoxyed the pully back on the motor and thightened it up by hand and let it dry. I replaced the tensioner pully and lubed the shaft. I then reassembled the dryer after vaccuming the inside of the case and also the vent pipe.I ran the dryer unloaded and it worked fine then with a load and it ran perfectly and still is. 

Our Dryer is 18 years old and have had gas valves replaced once. Now it was squealing. I found Appliancepartspros.com on line and read about my described problems. I ordered all possible parts that may cause the problems and received them in just 3 days. I followed the easy videos they provided for each part and in 3 hours it was up and running. Easy fix, Anyone with a little know how and a few tools can do this. I replaced about 10 parts and rollers for a total cost of delivered parts of $86.00. My wife is very happy and so am I. Thanks Pete 

The belt looked old and was frayed in several spots. Decided to change the spring, the belt pulley, and the belt. Turned out the belt was old and stretched. Since you have to pull the drum to change the belt it ended up a good idea to change the pulley as it was worn as well. The spring which tensions the belt was still good but for several dollars more it was worth the piece of mind to know that all the parts are new. If the spring ever failed I would have to take the whole thing apart again. I would recommend to at least change those three parts if you ever have to replace the belt. 

Replaced belt. Took about 30 minutes 

Changed the belt tensioner. While I had it apart changed drum wheels and belt also. 

Replaced the gas valve coils. 

Replace idler wheel assembly, belt and spring. 

I took the dryer apart, removed the drum and finished the repair with two 7/16 wrenches.