Dryer Felt Seal

Getting the cabinet open is always fun. Prying the top open without breaking the clips. I took a small pry bar, covered the end with gray tape and found the the clips located on the front outer edges. You push in on the metal clips from the front and lift the top off the plastic alignment dowels. Remove the back, and two front panels. Removed the drum and vacuumed out everything (inspect). Remove old seal, idler pulley assembly from back of dryer (spring & bolt & note belt routing). Glue new felt seal on drum, slide on drive belt, bolt on new idler assembly & attach spring. Attach lower inner front panel screws. Flex out front panel and lower in the drum (make sure the felt seal lip is not folded over). Complete installing front panels. Slide belt towards center of drum (see old mark). Flex idler assembly and route drive belt. Hand spin drum to align belt. Plug in and run dryer briefly to confirm things run smoothly. Align lid clips and close. Unplug and attach back panel and vent hose. ALL DONE.

I was not able to find a video (or other specific instructions) that showed how to access the insides of this particular machine, but eventually figured out that all it takes is popping 2 clips, one on either side of the door by wedging a flathead screwdriver in the space between the top of the machine and the bottom piece that surrounds the door opening. The top then pivots up and can be moved back beyond vertical so that it hold itself in position.

After removing the dryer door, getting to the drum itself was not too difficult and only involves removing half a dozen small bolts. I was able to move the pieces off to the side without disconnecting any of the wiring. Without looking at the parts diagram I can't name any of the pieces involved, but there were only a couple. The drum can then be lifted right off its rollers.

The replacement felt for this dryer has to be fastened with adhesive, and I would recommend running the bead of glue around half of the drum, setting the new felt in place, letting it sit for a few minutes to let the glue set up, then repeating for the other half. I tried installing the entire piece of felt at once, but after getting about 3/4 of it on, pulling the remaining unattached felt taut to fit around the drum ended up removing the first part of the felt because the glue did not have time to set up. If you've ever changed a bicycle tire, you'll know about reaching that point where the tire doesn't seem big enough to fit around the rim, but it just needs to be muscled into place. Same idea here, but trying to muscle the felt over fresh glue while the just installed part comes loose is frustrating and in my case almost resulted in ruining the entire new felt strip. Once the felt is anchored it's easy to pull taut over the remaining part of the drum.

I spent the most time researching and confirming exactly what part I needed before ordering the shipment. The illustrations and videos available on how to replace the part(s) were VERY helpful and much appreciated.

I followed the instructions seen on video and removed the top and front of dryer. Then pre-fit the new seal - and stretched it out some while dry to make sure it fit the drum. Once fitted, then I glued 1/2 of it and let it stand for at least 30 minutes and then did the 2nd 1/2 after that. I sure needed clips to hold it in place before moving on to complete both halves. Then I tested it and it tested ok.

I have only noticed 1 spot where some adhesive ran out that shows but it was minor. Had to figure out how the main drive belt work with the pressure pully because it had come loose from the drum. Once past that - it just needed reassembly.

Tear down , pulled drum, rollers, belts. These machines are very simple and very reliable!. I love these machines, they are one of the easiest to work on of any machine l have worked on. I have been a mechanic all my life!.Maytag got it right , their washers are as easy to work on as their dryers!..Very, Very simple..