How to replace the belt on a Whirlpool washing machine

The drive belt in the Whirlpool washing machine is responsible for rotating the drum. Therefore, if this part is not in order, the drum simply will not function. In some cases, the drive belt simply falls off and can be easily returned to its place, but if there are any defects, a new element will have to be installed. This article will tell you how to replace the belt on a Whirlpool washing machine.

Why does it spoil?

To understand what the problem is, you need to remove the wall of the washer and look inside. So, what are the main reasons for a belt to come off?

1. Pulley failure. A pulley is a device that transmits torque from the engine to the drum. For proper operation of this part, it is necessary to maintain a balance in the loading of the drum. If it is broken, the drive belt cannot withstand the tension, jumps off and stops the operation of the machine.
2. The belt may simply wear out. For convenience, modern washing machines try to be made as compact as possible, and the parts are placed very closely to each other. Due to this design, the drive element can fail much earlier than expected due to simple wear.
3. An unbalanced load of laundry can lead to more than just pulley problems. As a rule, if the drum is overloaded, its contents shift to one side and, when spinning, presses on the drum, which at high speeds can hit the tank. This again can cause the drive belt to “jump off” and stop the washing machine from working.
4. Any washing machine has bearings - a part that takes on the main load when the machine is operating in order to reduce resistance and make the rotation of parts easier. Periodically, bearings need to be replaced, and if it is not done on time, all parts will vibrate heavily. Including the notorious pulley. Thus, the belt can not only fly off, but also break.
5. Sometimes the belt breaks when the unit is rarely used. This seems incredible, but with infrequent use, some areas of the drive dry out and, as a result, when the wash is started “unexpectedly,” they fray and tear.

How does a Whirlpool washing machine signal to the owner that the drive belt is not working? As a rule, an error code is displayed on the display when self-diagnosing the machine, but this does not always happen. Sometimes the wash starts without problems, but the drum rotates very slowly and makes strange uncharacteristic sounds. Sometimes the wash does not start at all because the drum does not rotate, although it easily moves under physical influence, for example, if you turn it by hand.

Important! If you find a problem, do not delay in fixing it, because a broken belt could catch sensors or wiring and damage them, which is much more dangerous.

Repair progress

Anyone can handle the operation of installing or replacing a drive element. The main thing is to take your time and follow safety precautions. For example, before starting work, disconnect the washing machine from all communications, prepare a container for draining the water and collect all the remaining water there by disconnecting the intake hose from the back wall. Only now can you begin to dismantle the machine.

To do this, use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew all the screws around the perimeter of the back wall and remove it. You will immediately see a belt that should be checked for damage. Also, do not forget to inspect nearby elements: wiring and sensors.

If there are no problems with the sensors and wiring, and the belt needs to be replaced, we’ll figure out how to do it. By the way, replacing and adjusting the belt is done in 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 tightening the belt with the other hand. If you do everything correctly, the part will be located, as it were, in a special groove. Make sure this is the case. Then you can screw the back wall back on, connect the machine to the water supply and electricity, and start the wash. If the drum rotates as expected, congratulations, you have completed the task!

Reinstalling and replacing the motor belt on a Whirlpool machine is one of the simplest operations associated with repairing washing machines. Therefore, anyone can cope with it on their own.

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