How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP5737110 / W10612022 Dryer Drum Felt Seal

Ordered felt strip and adhesive kit, along with new belt and pulley wheels. Repair took a few hours due to cleaning of interior lint and desire to allow drum felt strip adequate time to dry. Our 22 year old gas dryer now sounds much quieter and the drum action is noticeably smoother. 

I had this same problem back in 2008 and through a long troubleshooting process determined that the burner "sustainer coil" was failing. The coil would "go open" after it would heat up. Installing a new set of burner coils resolved the issue. While performing this repair I installed a new felt seal on the back of the drum and replaced the drum support rollers. Basically, a $190.00 rebuild saved a total replacement of the dryer. 

Dryer belt broke and while looking under the top we found out the felt drum seal also needed to be replaced. We watched the video's to see how to replace both the seal & belt. Turned out to be a lot easier than we thought. Only disappointing thing was there was not any instructions included with either part. Project lasted 1-2 hours but that includes 30 minutes wait time for the adhesive to set. 

We removed the old seal. Cleaned the old adhesive off the drum. Attach the new seal with the provided adhesive. Tip: With the drum on the door side down slip the felt seal beyond the lip (no glue) and allow it to stretch for 20 mins. Then, attach the felt seal to the lip. Use Staples' File Folder Clips to hold it in place. Now the adhesive! We applied the adhesive on 10" of the drum, let it dry a minute and then press the felt into place. Reattach a clip & move to the next 10" of the drum. Allow the clips to remain in place for about 6 hours to cure. There are several Youtube Videos to aid. Tip #2: Photo the idler pully before removal to aid in reassembly. Tip#3: The new seal does not look exactly like the old seal but functions the same. And removing the old glue takes a couple of hours. 

Replaced the Drum Felt Seals. Works perfectly!! 

Ordered the Dryer Repair Kit. Also needed the drum felt seal and a lint filter. 

This part did the trick. 

Took apart the dryer. I replaced the drum wheels, belt, tensioner pulley, and felt seal. 

THIS WAS A VERY EASY FIX AFTER THE FINE VIDEOS PRESENTED. AFTER OPENING AND REMOVING THE DRUM, THOSE SUPPORT WHEELS JUST COME OFF BY REMOVING A SNAP WASHER ON END OF SHAFT. THE RETAINING CLIPS SNAP ON EASILY HOLDING THE WHEEL(S) IN PLACE. FOR THE SEALS, I REPLACED BOTH FRONT AND REAR. A WORD OF CAUTION, PUT THE REAR SEAL IN PLACE FIRST, THEN APPLY THE ADHESIVE UNDER THE LIP. I PUT THE ADHESIVE ON FIRST WHICH WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA. THE FRONT ONE JUST SNAPS IN PLACE AND EASILY STRETCHES AND ROLLS ON NO ADHESIVE. NOW MY MIL'S FAVORITE SON IN LAW, THE ONLY ONE BTW SO NOT MUCH COMPETITION! 

Replaced the felt seal.