This hi-limit thermostat acts as a safety mechanism that keeps the dryer from overheating. Once the dryer temperature reaches a certain point, this piece will shut down power to the heating element.
The old knob pulled off easily. Its stem had broken. Examine the new control knob. Its stem has a protrusion on it which fits into the grove on the shaft of the oven's function-control switch. (It would be the same for the temperature-control switch, also.) The new knob slips on easily when properly aligned. You may want to use some gunk from a breakfast cereal box (the clear gummy gunk that is used to hold two cereal boxes together, when sold as a pair) to help the new knob stay on. Using whiteout or paint, mark the end of the ridge on the knob that points to the switch position, so that you can easily tell which way it's pointing.
First I unpluged the dryer, removed the two screws from the bottom access panel. I used a small socket to remove the screws securing the limit stat to the burner chamber, nut driver was too long. I installed the new limit stat with the two screws and attached the two leads. Plugged in the dryer and conducted a test run, burner ignited. I turned the dryer off and replaced the access panel.
I removed the two spade connectors and then removed the two 1/4" hex screws. I then simply removed the defective unit and replaced it with the new on and re-installed the two screws and wires. This was not the problem though. I turned out to be the solenoids on the gas valve.
