How to Fix a Drive Belt for a Washer That Will Not Agitate
In top-load washers, the drive motor powers the transmission, and the transmission transforms that motion to push and pull the agitator. The drive belt is what connects the transmission to the drive motor. If that drive belt becomes damaged, your washer can’t agitate. There are a few distinct signs that your drive belt is damaged, and the information below will help you figure out if the belt is causing your washer agitation issues.
What is a Drive Belt? Where is it Located?
If you have a top-load washer, a drive belt may connect the transmission to the drive motor. A failure in the drive belt can keep the machine from agitating. Your drive belt can be a rubber V-belt, or a flat-ribbed belt covered in fabric so that it can slip a bit. Or it can be a rubber belt aided by a tension device like an idler pulley, so that the motor doesn’t cause too much friction to the belt. In a front-load washer, the drive belt can be found mounted between the motor and drum pulley at the back of the machine.
General Location of the Drive Belt in a Front Load Washer
General Location of the Drive Belt in a Top Load Washer
How to Tell if the Drive Belt is Damaged
A defective drive belt can result in a burning rubber smell, or an excessively noisy running washer.
How to Access and Remove the Drive Belt
If You Have a Top-Load Washer- Unplug your washer and disconnect the waterlines, before removing the cabinet or access panel to find the drive belt. You may need to place your washer on its back to do this.
- If your machine has one, remove the belt cover, and then remove the belt from the pulley if it is still in place.
- Visually inspect your drive belt. You are looking for signs of damage, wear, fraying, or burning.
- If your belt has any of these symptoms, you need a replacement drive belt.
How to Install a New Drive Belt
If You Have a Top-Load Washer- Before installing a new drive belt, clean off both the transmission and motor pulley. Make sure that there is no oily residue on the pulleys.
- The new belt is first fed around the motor pulley, then around the transmission pulley. Make sure that the belt is centered around both pulleys.
- If your machine has a belt tensioning pulley, ensure that it is in good condition and that the belt is around it. Then reinstall the belt cover.
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