How to replace a belt on a Whirlpool washing machine

The drive belt in a Whirlpool washing machine is responsible for rotating the drum. If this part is faulty, the drum simply won't function. In some cases, the drive belt simply falls off and can be easily replaced, but if there are any defects, a new one will need to be installed. This article will explain how to replace the belt on a Whirlpool washing machine.

Why does it spoil?

To figure out what the problem is, you need to remove the side of the washing machine and look inside. So, what are the main reasons for a belt to come off?

1. Pulley malfunction. The pulley is the device that transmits torque from the motor to the drum. For this component to function properly, the drum load must be balanced. If this balance is disrupted, the drive belt cannot withstand the tension, slips, and stops the machine.
2. The belt may simply wear out. For convenience, modern washing machines are designed to be as compact as possible, with components placed very close together. Due to this design, the drive element may fail much earlier than expected due to simple wear and tear.
3. An unbalanced load can cause more than just pulley problems. Typically, if the drum is overloaded, its contents shift to one side and, during the spin cycle, put pressure on the drum, which, at high speeds, can hit the drum. This can also cause the drive belt to slip and the washing machine to stop working.
4. Every washing machine has bearings—parts that bear the brunt of the machine's load, reducing resistance and making the parts rotate more smoothly. Bearings periodically require replacement, and if not replaced promptly, all parts will vibrate excessively, including the notorious pulley. This can cause the belt to not only slip but also break.
5. Sometimes the belt breaks when the machine is used infrequently. It seems incredible, but with infrequent use, certain sections of the drive dry out and, as a result, fray and break when the wash cycle is unexpectedly started.

How does a Whirlpool washing machine alert the owner that the drive belt is faulty? Typically, an error code appears on the display when you perform a self-diagnosis, but this isn't always the case. Sometimes the wash starts without any problems, but the drum rotates very slowly and makes strange, uncharacteristic sounds. Sometimes the wash cycle doesn't start at all because the drum doesn't rotate, although it moves easily under physical influence, for example, if you twist it by hand.

Important! If you discover a problem, don't delay fixing it, as a broken belt could catch on sensors or wiring and damage them, which is much more dangerous.

Repair progress

Anyone can install or replace a drive element. The key is to take your time and follow safety precautions. For example, before starting work, disconnect the washing machine from all power supplies, prepare a container for draining the water, and collect any remaining water in it, disconnecting the suction hose from the back wall. Only then can you begin dismantling the machine.

To do this, use a Phillips-head screwdriver to unscrew all the screws around the perimeter of the rear panel and remove it. You'll immediately see the belt, which should be inspected for damage. Also, be sure to inspect nearby components, such as the wiring and sensors.

If there are no issues with the sensors or wiring, but the belt needs to be replaced, let's figure out how to do it. By the way, replacing and adjusting the belt are done the same way! To do this, the product must first be pulled onto the motor shaft, and then onto the pulley, while turning it with one hand and pulling the belt with the other. If you've done everything correctly, the part will fit into a special groove. Make sure it does. Then you can screw the back panel back on, connect the machine to the water supply and power, and start the wash. If the drum rotates as it should, congratulations, you've completed the task!

Reinstalling and replacing the motor belt on a Whirlpool washing machine is one of the simplest repairs to a washing machine, making it easy for anyone to do.

   

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