If the drum in a dryer has stopped turning, is it possible to fix it?

1. 94

   Daughter Of Maatposted 13 years ago

   If the drum in a dryer has stopped turning, is it possible to fix it?
   
   The drum in my dryer stopped spinning this evening with a load of laundry still in it. It's still producing heat however so I know the heating element I replaced 4 or 5 years ago is still working. Is there anything I can do to get it going again? (I love this dryer...)

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2. 76

   Cre8torposted 13 years ago

   Sorry if brief but I'm on my way to work....
   
   It's either the belt or the motor that turns the belt. If you run the dryer, can you tell if it's trying to turn or the motor is running?
   
   2 screws in the front of the dryer, inside the door attaching the top to the body can be removed. Then you'll need a flat screwdriver to pop the top loose. From here you should be able to see if the belt is broken or perhaps stretched too much to turn the drum. If belt is in tact then it has either popped off the pulley on the motor or the motor has given out. Without a hub, this is tough to give short direction. Be careful not to take anything apart you're not comfy with and I'll check back with you this afternoon. Maybe I can go into more then. If it's the belt, get the make/model of the dryer and contact the local hardware store for a new one. Putting it on is rather easy in most cases. If the motor....you can check price and installation costs but I would have a pro do it.

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3. 94

   Daughter Of Maatposted 13 years ago

   Wooohoo! You just made my day! When I hit the button to start the dryer it sounds like it always does and then just hums. I'm assuming by your explanation the belt is the most likely problem. I'm looking into getting a belt sometime over the weekend, so if you have the urge to write a hub on replacing a belt, maybe with specifics for a whirlpool, and you have the extra time, I'd be ever so greatful! By the way, my a/c is working a bit better, at least it shuts off now, it was running all day long. (it's ancient though!)

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4. 70

   onegoodwomanposted 13 years ago

   yes, the simplest, and most obvious problem is the belt that drives the drum.
   
   
   You, don't have to be a highly skilled mechanic.............just open the back or underneath door, take the belt off of the pulleys, and go to your local auto parts or Sears store and replace the belt.
   
   I have fixed this problem with a butter knife ( and new belt).  Having various  sized screwdrivers would make it an easy fix!

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