Mend > Tumble Dryers

Re-attaching Kenmore Series 80 belt-- too long??

I am at my wits end!.. The service tech figured out the original heating problem was the pilot sensor. I figured, no problem. I can change that! Simple nut-screw and then it's simply re-attaching the front & top panels. I had pulled every panel off... the tech pulled out only the drum when he arrived. Now, the only part I cannot seem to re-attach is the damned drum belt. It seems 4 inches too long. I read the previous belt instrucitons, but it' still too long. And that white "idler wheel" cannot lean toward the motor, it can only lean away from the motor, and its black brackets don't allow for the belt to go around the idler wheel. Can somebody tell me what the hell I'm doing wrong?! How could I have figured every other piece out except for this one simple re-attachment?! Is it possible the tech stretched the belt when he lifted the drum out of the dryer?

Frustrated in IL
October 2009

Kenmore Kenmore 80 Household Appliances, Tumble Dryers Kenmore Series Long

After you secure the black bracket into the 2 slots at bottom of dryer, simply pull the slacked belt through the space between the bracket's sides... and bring the wheel upward toward the drum. Then wrap the slacked belt (that you brought between the brackets) around the motor's pulley. That idler wheel will bend upward toward the drum & pulley... and when the slack wraps around the pulley, you'll be as snug as a bug.

Done.

Guardian Angel
October 2009