How to replace a dryer drive motor

Unplug the dryer. If it's a gas dryer, shut off the gas.

Wear work gloves to protect your hands.

Pull the lint screen out of the housing in the top panel of the dryer.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 2 screws that secure the lint screen housing to the top panel. To release the clips that lock the top of the dryer in place, push a putty knife under the lid near the left and right edges of the front of the dryer.

Lift the top and prop it securely against the wall behind the dryer.

Use a slot screwdriver to release the locking tab on the wire harness plug for the door switch. Disconnect the wire harness. Use a 5/16-inch nut driver to remove the front panel mounting screws from the inside of the dryer.

Pull the front panel forward slightly, and then lift and unhook it from the 2 bottom hangers.

Pull the front panel off of the dryer and set it aside.

Note the configuration of the belt on the idler pulley and the motor pulley before removing it—take a digital picture of it so you know how to reinstall it.

Push the idler pulley to the right to release tension on the drive belt. Pull the drive belt off of the idler pulley and the motor pulley.

Pull the drum out of the dryer and set it aside.

Use a slot screwdriver to pry out and release the mounting clamps on the front and rear sides of the drive motor. Remove the clamps and set them aside.

Place a 13/16-inch wrench or adjustable wrench on the back of the blower wheel that's behind the drive motor.

Place a 7/16-inch wrench or adjustable wrench on the flat portion of the drive shaft at the front of the motor.

Rotate the drive motor shaft clockwise (the blower wheel is reverse threaded) while holding the blower wheel stationary to loosen it.

Lower the top panel and move the dryer forward so that you can remove the back panel.

Remove the screws from the back panel, then remove the back panel from the dryer and set it aside.

Remove the mounting screws from the air duct. Pull the air duct off and set it aside.

Spin the blower wheel clockwise to remove it from the drive motor shaft. If the motor shaft turns with the blower wheel, hold the motor shaft stationary.

Use a slot screwdriver to release the locking tab. Pull the wire harness out of the plug on the motor. Pull out the drive motor.

Put the new motor into place and make sure the locator tab on the new motor is properly inserted into the slot on the front mounting bracket.

Line up the wire harness plug in front of the connector on the motor. Push it down and into place, making sure the locking tab engages.

Thread the blower wheel back onto the motor shaft. Spin it counterclockwise to tighten it. Then use the wrenches to tighten the blower wheel on the motor shaft.

To avoid overtightening the blower wheel, turn the wrenches until they stop and then apply moderate force to tighten the blower wheel on the shaft.

Position the front and rear mounting clamps on the motor and snap them into place on the mounting bracket.

Push the air duct into place and line up the mounting screw holes. Insert the mounting screws and tighten them firmly.

Position the back panel on the back of the dryer.

Line up the mounting screw holes, insert the mounting screws and tighten them firmly.

Lift the top panel and prop it securely against the back wall.

Place the rear of the drum on top of the support roller that's on the rear panel inside the dryer. Lift the front of the drum to access the drive motor and idler pulley.

Referring to the digital picture of the configuration, thread the drive belt through the idler pulley.

Push the idler pulley to the right and loop the drive belt over the motor pulley.

Position the front panel on the hangers at the bottom of the dryer.

Line up the mounting holes and reinstall the screws in the top of the front panel to secure it to the dryer.

Plug the wire harness back into the plug on the door switch. Make sure the locking tab engages properly.

Lower the top panel and snap it into place.

Reinstall the screws in the lint duct housing and reinstall the lint screen.

Plug the dryer into the wall outlet. If it's a gas dryer, turn on the gas supply to the dryer.