Whirlpool WP40111201 Dryer Belt 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.

I've had this dryer apart a few times over the years, always got my parts here. Squeaks and igniter if memory serves. I ordered the two drum rollers that have a bearing in the center..they sit on metal shafts and freeroll. I ordered two..only one was bad but I needed the dryer up in one day, no time to disassemble and decide what to order then wait for parts. Tip: if you order the rollers, there are little washers (nylon?) between the roller and the c clips..don't lose them..they are hard to see. One of mine was missing from last time most likely, I reassembled without that washer but wish I had one, running quietly without it but I'm sure it serves a purpose and maybe that's why my roller failed (from not having that washer). Also, I would order new c clips as well in case you bend one. You have to have that c clip tool or forget it. I also replaced the belt and the idler roller that is on the tension arm but they were both ok. I just ordered anything I thought could be the cause proactively. I recommend taking some pictures as you disassemble the panels..you can forget the order they came off which is how you reassemble..reverse order that is, good for the connectors too..make it idiot-proof as much as possible haha. It would be helpful to have a 2nd pair of hands but I did it myself. I also took a sharpie and marked the colors of the wire connectors so I couldn't put them on backward. I have some mechanical experience, not sure if a novice would want to tackle this. It's be running fine for a few weeks now. $60 parts and delivery not bad..it may get me a few more years out of it knock wood.

Unplugged unit from power. Removed two sheet metal screws and lower front panel, removed two sheet metal screws and door panel (disconnected three door switch wires and two light wires - noted the connected position of each wire ); removed three self-tapping screws and black plastic hot air outlet to fan duct from lower end of front bulkhead; removed sheet metal screws and front bulkhead; removed two sheet metal screws from dryer top panel and raised top up and back on rear hinge brackets; removed belt from dryer drum and removed drum from unit; removed eight sheet metal screws along with two larger sheet metal screws holding the fan/motor carrier to the dryer base and moved sheet metal fan outlet front panel leaving temp switches with connected wiring off to the left side; disconnected main motor connector from motor; removed belt from motor/idler pulleys; pulled motor/fan carrier forward and out - held in place by two previously removed sheet metal screws at the front and a tab at the back in the dryer bottom. Unscrewed and removed plastic fan from the motor shaft; removed three self-tapping screws and fan housing from motor carrier; removed spring clips holding motor to motor carrier plate and removed motor. Cleaned and de-greased everything -panels, ducts, screens, interior of the dryer - thoroughly. Cleaned/lubricated idler pulley shaft with silicon lube and lubricated the drum bottom roller shafts with silicon lube. Aligned the nubs of the bearings of the new motor to the proper positions on the motor carrier and reinstalled the spring clips. Reassemble unit in reverse of disassembly above and, when reinstalling the drum, added a new belt. Plugged unit back into power receptacle, threw some damp clothing in, and ran unit. Done. Disassembly/reassembly takes maybe 20 minutes but thorough cleaning requires more that a half-hour if done correctly and completely.