Whirlpool WP37001287 Dryer Belt Tension Pulley Assembly OEM Part

I went to the local Home Depot and Lowes, but they did not have the parts because they do not carry parts for the items they actually sell to people. Jumped on the phone and did a quick search for parts and came across appliancepartspros.com. I put in the make and model of my dryer and all the parts for the dryer where listed. I ordered the items on a Wednesday night. I opted for the two day shipping. I thought the items would be at my house by Friday but they did not arrive until Monday. I felt I wasted the money on the two day shipping if it took five days to get to my house. The parts however were exactly what I needed. They fit without any issues and now I will hopefully get another long lifetime of use from my dryer. The fix was simple I lifted the top cover of the dryer. I then removed the connectors for the inside light on the front of the driver and then removed the front panel by removing the two screws holding it in place. I then disconnected the three connections for the lent panel. I then removed the lent panel by removing the four screws holding it in place. The drum was then removed by sliding it out. The belt slide off easily. The tension pulley wheel was broken so I had to unscrew it from the motor using a wrench to hold the nut and a socket to loosen the bolt. I also disconnected the spring on the tension pulley. While you have all of that disconnected take the time to clean all the lent at the bottom of the dryer. I then replaced the tension pulley and assembled the dryer in the order I took it apart.

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.

First, I have to say that I got several handy tips from watching AppliancePartsPros (APP) repair videos. It's never too late to learn. Nicely done! This is a great website and catalog. Who knows what failed first? The belt or the tension pulley? I happened to have a belt on hand in anticipation of having to replace it because my wife does HUGE loads of laundry. I opened the machine expecting to replace a belt and I found the tension pulley bearing frozen and the wheel worn and warped out of round. I was easily able to find and order the part I got the tension pulley part within 2 days with regular delivery. Great service. The repair took a little over 1/2 hour. Note, please, that I am an experienced handyman with most of the right tools. I also happen to open the dryer annually to vacuum out dust and lint (and to find lost change and the occasional single sock). When reassembled I found the motor was running but the drum would not rotate. With the front panel removed I was able to see that the shaft and blower were spinning but the main pulley was not. (Disclaimer- it is a really bad idea to open any electrical appliance without unplugging it first !!). It seems that the failure of the tension pulley causes undue pressure on the main pulley so that it can't spin. The pulley is screwed to the shaft and is made of aluminum so the steel motor shaft spins and strips the threads of the pulley. The pulley is not press fit and has no set screw as shown in some older repair videos.That should make replacing the pulley pretty easy. It happens however, that you may not purchase the pulley itself anywhere, for love or money. Maytag ONLY makes the pulley available as part of the motor assembly. This is not APPs fault. What should be a $10 repair becomes a $105 repair. I have been talking to Maytag directly about this. Judging by other handyperson comments on APP's site (and other sites) this is a common problem. Many people have asked for just the pulley to find out it isn't available. If this was an automobile problem, I think it would be handled as a recall, and the necessary replacement parts would be available. Long story, lots of detail. I hope it is useful. Maytag has a Facebook page, let them know your feelings and don't forget to thank APP for their help!!

Order the parts to fix it from your fine company and replaced the screaming parts.