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Customer Questions and Answers for Idler Assembly (Belt Tensioner) by Whirlpool

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Manufacturer Part
4.89 (64)
By: Whirlpool
Part Number: OEM18028947
Manufacturer Part Number: WP53-2287

This idler assembly is the spring-loaded belt tensioner that keeps the drive belt correctly tightened. Replacing a worn or seized idler restores smooth belt tracking, reduces squeal, and helps prevent slippage or loss of drive.

  • Maintains proper tension on the drive belt for reliable power transfer
  • Helps prevent belt slippage, squealing, or the belt coming off the pulleys
  • Supports smooth rotation of the driven components
  • Failure symptoms can include noise from the belt path, a frayed or derailed belt, or loss of motion
What's included: 1 idler assembly Installation notes:
  • Disconnect power and allow all moving parts to stop before servicing
  • Access the belt path; relieve belt tension and remove the old idler assembly
  • Install the new assembly; ensure the pulley spins freely and the belt is centered in the groove
  • Manually rotate the system to verify alignment and clearances before restoring power

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Questions & Answers

For Whirlpool Idler Assembly (Belt Tensioner) (Part Number: OEM18028947)

Sue for Model Number PYG2200AWW

My husband replaced the belt a couple of months ago. Within a few weeks, the dryer started making a horrible squealing noise. When he replaced the belt, the guy at the store said he needed to replace the bearing also because if the belt was shot the bearings were shot. We do not completely buy that information. Someone else told me that it was probably the tensioner pulley (which I guess you are listing as an idler pulley). The original one is not a wheel but rather more of a half moon. Would this more likely be the cause of this horrible squealing noise?? Also, do I need to replace the whole assembly and if so are there any other small parts that are needed for it to go together correctly?? Thanks, Sue

1 Answer

Sue, The idler pulley WP53-2287 is a complete part and cannot be gotten separately. There are no other parts required to replace to change the idler pulley.

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1 Answer

Hello Becky101. Check and see if the rollers are bad on the unit and the idler pulley. If the idler is bad, you will need to order and replace the idler assembly WP53-2287. Both of these can cause the belt to slip off the unit if the tub is jumping ot the pulley is bad. Also, a bad spot in the belt can cause the issue as well.

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1 Answer

Hello Dee. Based on the model number you provided, W10410996 is the correct motor assembly. We do not know the price of service, because we do not offer service at this time. Thank you.

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Dee for Model Number LNC7764A71

Thanks for your reply to my question, when you say to remove the belt from the pully do you mean the belt which turns the big drum? In my question I also asked if there was a small belt like the size of a vacumn cleaner because on the bottom of the dryer just behind the fan there is the motor...then behind that is a metal groove that sticks up i/2 inch and I assumed it has a belt to turn the pully? I can't figure out what turns the belt on the drum? Thanks again.

1 Answer

Hello Dee. Yes, you will remove the belt from the motor pulley. There is no small belt on the unit. The motor turns the belt to turn the drum. The belt on the drum, goes around the small pulley on the motor and around the tension arm pulley WP53-2287. Hope this helps.

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Dee for Model Number LNC7764A71

A shoe lace got caught in the motor and I unwound it and the dryer worked for awhile then it quit, I took the drum out and cleaned the lint under the drum. I wondering if the pully on 27part nu. has a small belt that causes the fan to turn? the fan doesn't turn easily and I thought maybe the little belt is broken and lost. There is a groove that looks like it had a belt that turns a pully to turn the fan....I didn't see the belt anywhere in the dryer,this is a used dryer.

1 Answer

Dee, No there is not an additional or separate belt, to drive(turn) the fan. If the fan is hard or stiff to turn, and you have the belt removed from the pulleys, then there is something else in the blower wheel or housing. You'll need to dismantle the blower assembly and check. As for a "Groove" in the idler pulley, WP31001344 so you can see, it is the same dimension all the way across the pulley. If you have a groove in it, you'll need to replace the pulley and the belt. Thanks and Good Luck

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