Frigidaire 131601000 Idler Spring (Belt Tensioner) OEM Part

I encountered a high pitched squeal and loud rumbling. I figured the sounds were likely the rollers despite not matching other sounds on the repair videos for other dryers. The repair video for dryer rollers on AppliancePartsPros.com is of little use until Minute 2:56 because this Electrolux 517 model uses mostly Phillips head screw to fasten the front and top panels in place. You may find one latch at the top front center that holds the top and front panels in place. After unplugging the dryer, I found the first two screws to unfasten were at the back of the top panel. I used a putty knife to slide in between panels and unlatch the connector at front center position between top and front panels. Slide the top panel back and off the dryer. Next unscrew two newly exposed Phillips screws on both sides of top front panel. Take filter out inside front door. Unscrew all 4 screws holding vent in place inside the front door. Tilt front of dryer backward onto a short wood block placed under front of dryer to expose bottom front panel 2 screws on both sides. Unlatch drum belt per video and remove dryer barrel. Turns out the squeal and rumbling were NOT bad bearings or rollers. Lo and behold, the manufacturer used a low temperature grease on the roller axles and I found that the old grease had completely volatilized into thin crispy "worm like" scraps stuck on the rollers and also deposited at the bottom of the dryer compartment under each roller. In addition, I found a scrap electrical wire wrapped around one of the roller axles. I removed the wire, replaced the 3 back rollers and re-greased their axles with high temperature (ball-bearing) grease. I put everything back together (you may need a second set of hands to hold the barrel in place while you reconnect the belt to the motor and hold panels tight for reassembly). There are 3 rollers on the back panel, and two rollers on the front. You may wish to grease them all with high temp grease. I graded my repair high because I figured out the panel disassembly on my own. The AppliancePartsPro video was only helpful to see how to take the triangular washers off.

Replaced motor and idler arm assembly. Replacing idler arm assembly did not require any tools. Recommend motor replacement and idler arm replacement at same time as both can cause noise when old and worn. See my story on motor replacement on motor information page.

With parts I ordered.

Reviewed items that might be the issue and ordered them. After installed noise was gone.

Ordered adhesive, Idler arm, spring and belt. Opened up dryer and vaccumed out. Found the fork on idler arm ( where it fits into bushing ) had corrison. cleaned and greased with high temperature grease. Also found screw backing out from rear bulkhead ( upper left ) -tightened. Gave each of the five drum support wheels ( three on rear bulkhead and two on front bulkhead ) a touch of grease. Did not use any of the parts yet,but will keep them. Dryer is working fine now.