If your Whirlpool washing machine belt is giving you trouble, look no further; in this detailed guide, we’ll be giving you steps on how to deal with your Whirlpool washing machine belt…
Table of Contents
Whirlpool Washing Machine Belt Keeps Coming Off — How To Fix
If your Whirlpool washing machine belt keeps coming off, here are the problems to look for…
1. Loose Pulley Wheel
Your Whirlpool washing machine belt will keep falling off if the pulley wheel isn’t properly secured. Follow the steps below to fix this issue…
Front Loaders
Do the following to tighten the pulley wheel in your Whirlpool front loader washing machine…
Step 1. In order to prevent electrical damage, make sure to unplug the appliance from the electrical outlet before starting this repair.
Step 2. Pull out the four plastic caps mounted on the rear panel, then set them aside. Use a 1/4 inch nut-driver to take out the screws holding the rear panel to the cabinet. Lift the panel off the machine and set it aside.
Step 3. Carefully unhook the drive belt from the motor pulley and drive pulley. Use a strap wrench to help secure the drive pulley.
Step 4. Use a 24mm socket wrench to properly tighten the pulley bolt. Loop the drive belt back around the pulley wheels.
Step 5. Lift the rear panel and mount it onto the machine. Tighten the screws at the back using your 1/4 inch nut-driver.
Step 6. Snap the four transit caps into the slots at the back of the machine. Plug the power cord into the electrical outlet, then see if the problem has been fixed by running a wash cycle.
Top Loaders
Tighten the drive pulley in your top loader Whirlpool washing machine with the following steps…
Step 1. Turn your washing machine’s water taps off, then unplug the power cord from the outlet before starting this repair in order to prevent electrocution.
Step 2. Spread a cloth under the water inlet hoses to catch any leaks. Disconnect the hoses from the inlet ports using a pair of pliers.
Step 3. With a pair of pliers, release the spring clamp holding the outlet hose to the port at the back of the machine. Slide the hose off the machine.
Step 4. Put some tape on the lid of your machine to help secure it. With the help of another person, carefully tilt the washing machine backwards and set it on the floor.
Step 5. Use a 5/16 inch nut-driver to loosen the screws holding the belt guard. Take the guard off the machine and set it aside.
Step 6. Take the drive belt off the two pulley wheels, then set it aside. Using a 3/8 inch socket wrench, properly tighten the bolt holding the drive pulley to the bottom of the tub.
Step 7. Loop the drive belt around the the motor pulley and transmission pulley. Put the belt guard back on, then tighten the screws using your 5/16 inch nut-driver.
Step 8. Get someone to help you carefully lift the washing machine back onto its feet. Peel the tape off the lid of the machine.
Step 9. Go to the back of the machine, then reattach the main drain hose. Secure the hose by sliding the spring clamp into place.
Step 10. Reconnect the HOT and COLD water supply hoses to the ports at the back of the machine (in order to prevent any leaks, ensure that the hoses are properly secured).
Step 11. Plug the appliance back into the electrical outlet, then turn the water taps on. To see if the problem has been fixed, try running a wash cycle.
2. Improperly Installed Belt
Another thing that could cause your Whirlpool washing machine belt to keep slipping is improper installation. Here’s how to fix this issue…
Front Loaders
To correct the installation of the drive belt in your Whirlpool front loader washing machine, follow the steps below…
Step 1. Prevent electrical damage by disconnecting your appliance from its electrical outlet.
Step 2. Pull out the plastic caps at the back of the machine, then set them aside. Using a 1/4 inch socket wrench, remove the screws holding the rear panel to the machine.
Step 3. Pull the rear panel upwards, then lift it off the machine. Carefully unhook the drive belt from the pulleys at the back of the machine.
Step 4. Turn the drive belt so that the grooved side faces inwards. Loop the belt back around the pulleys.
Step 5. Remount the rear panel on the cabinet, then secure it by applying the bolts with your nut-driver. Push the plastic caps back into the slots.
Step 6. Plug your washing machine back into its electrical outlet, then test it by running a spin cycle.
Top Loaders
Follow the steps below to correct the installation of the drive belt in your Whirlpool top loader washing machine…
Step 1. Disconnect the appliance from the electrical outlet, then turn the water taps off in order to prevent water leaks and electrocution.
Step 2. Using a pair of pliers, squeeze the spring clamp holding the drain hose to the back of the machine, then slide it out of place. Disconnect the outlet hose from the cabinet.
Step 3. Put some tape on your machine’s lid to help secure it. Get someone to help you tilt the appliance backwards carefully, then set it on the floor.
Step 4. Use a 5/16 inch socket wrench to loosen the bolts holding the belt guard to the bottom of the tub. Take the guard off the machine and set it aside.
Step 5. Take the drive belt off the transmission and motor pulleys. Turn the drive belt so that the grooved side faces inwards.
Step 6. Loop the drive belt around the two pulleys. Put the belt guard back on, then tighten the bolts with your 5/16 inch nut-driver.
Step 7. Get someone to help you lift your washing machine back onto its feet, then peel the tape off the lid.
Step 8. Reconnect the COLD and HOT water supply hoses to the ports at the back of the machine.
Step 9. Reattach the washing machine drain hose, then slide the spring clamp in place to secure it.
Step 10. Turn the water supply faucets back on, then reconnect the power cord to the electrical outlet. Test the appliance by running a spin cycle.
Check out these other articles…
How To Move A Washing Machine [Detailed Guide]
Whirlpool Washing Machine Spinning [Problems & Solutions]
How To Clean Whirlpool Washing Machine [Detailed Guide]
Whirlpool Washing Machine Draining [How To, Issues & Solutions]
Whirlpool Washing Machine Agitator [How To, Issues & Solutions]
Washer/Dryer Combo
To correct the installation of the drive belt in your Whirlpool washer/dryer combo machine, follow the steps below…
Step 1. Unplug the machine from the electrical outlet before starting this repair in order to prevent electrocution.
Step 2. Using a Philips screwdriver, loosen the bolts holding the dryer compartment’s lower access plate. Take the panel off the machine and set it aside.
Step 3. Insert a putty knife into the gap above the dryer’s lower front panel and release the locking clips. Pry the panel off the front of the machine.
Step 4. Open the door of the dryer, then pull the lint filter out of its housing. Loosen the bolts holding the air duct to the bottom of the dryer door using a 5/16 inch socket wrench.
Step 5. Loosen the four screws holding the heater shield using the nut-driver. Take the shield off the machine and set it aside.
Step 6. Using the 5/16 inch socket wrench, loosen the two screws at the bottom of the dryer compartment’s main front panel.
Step 7. Remove the three screws at the top of the control panel. Pry the panel off the front of the machine, then set it on the cabinet.
Step 8. Unplug the door switch wire connector from the control panel (if needed, use a flat-blade screwdriver).
Step 9. Loosen the two screws at the top of the front panel using your 5/16 inch nut-driver. Carefully lift the front panel off the machine, then set it aside.
Step 10. Carefully reach under the drum and ensure that the drive belt is looped around the idler pulley and motor pulley in a zig-zag pattern.
Step 11. Lift the front panel and bulkhead, then mount it on the cabinet. Use a 5/16 inch nut-driver to apply the two screws at the top of the panel.
Step 12. Plug the door switch wire connector back into the control board, then apply the two screws at the bottom of the panel.
Step 13. Lift the control panel and snap it back onto the front of the cabinet, then tighten the three screws at the top.
Step 14. Put the heater shield back in place, then tighten the screws using your 5/16 inch socket wrench. Move the air duct back in place, then tighten the screws.
Step 15. Open the door of the dryer, then slide the lint filter into the housing. Snap the lower front access panel onto the cabinet.
Step 16. Mount the dryer’s lower access panel, then secure it by applying the screws with your Philips screwdriver.
Step 17. Plug the appliance back into the electrical outlet, then ensure that everything works properly by running a spin cycle.
Dryer
Correct the drive belt in your Whirlpool dryer with the following steps…
Step 1. Unplug the appliance from the electrical outlet before starting this repair in order to prevent electrical damage.
Step 2. Take out the two screws at the back the back of the machine securing the top panel using a 1/4 inch nut-driver. Pull the top panel backwards a few inches, then lift it off the machine.
Step 3. Unplug the control panel’s wire connector from the main control board. Use a 1/4 inch nut-driver to take out the two screws at the top of the control panel.
Step 4. Pry the panel off the front of the machine and set it aside. Unplug the door switch wire connector from the control board.
Step 5. Tip the washing machine backwards carefully and place a support under the front panel. Use a nut-driver to take out the screws at the bottom of the front panel.
Step 6. Carefully take the support out from underneath the machine, then set the appliance back on its feet.
Step 7. Open the door of the machine and take out the screws on the front panel. Using the nut-driver, loosen the three screws at the top of the front panel. Pull the front panel off the cabinet and set it aside.
Step 8. With a 1/4 inch socket wrench, loosen the screws holding the control board bracket to the front frame. Move the bracket out of place, then support it.
Step 9. Take out the bolts holding the front frame to the cabinet. Pull the frame off the washer, then set it aside.
Step 10. Unplug the moisture sensor wire connector under the front bulkhead. With your 1/4 inch nut-driver, take out the screw holding the lower support bracket to the cabinet.
Step 11. Use the 5/16 inch socket wrench to take out the bolts at the top and bottom of the front bulkhead. Pull the bulkhead upwards and lift it off the machine.
Step 12. Reach underneath the drum, then ensure that the belt is looped around the motor pulley and idler pulley in a zig-zag pattern (looping any other way will make it prone to slipping off).
Step 13. Rotate the drum slowly by hand to ensure that the drive belt is properly aligned.
Step 14. Lift the front bulkhead, then remount it on the cabinet. Secure the bulkhead by applying the screws at the top and bottom using your socket wrench.
Step 15. Plug the machine’s moisture sensor back in. Put the lower support bracket back in place, then tighten it by applying the nuts using 5/16 inch socket.
Step 16. Mount the front frame back onto the machine, then tighten the bolts with your nut-driver.
Step 17. Take the control board bracket off the support, then reattach it to the front frame. Secure the connection by applying the screws.
Step 18. Lift the front panel and remount it on the cabinet. Apply the three screws at the top of the front panel. Open the machine’s door, then use a Philips screwdriver to apply the nuts on the front panel.
Step 19. With the help of another person, carefully tip the machine and place a support underneath the front. Using your nut-driver, tighten the screws at the bottom of the panel.
Step 20. Take the support out from underneath the machine, then set it on its feet. Plug the door switch wire connector back into the control board.
Step 21. Remount the control panel on the cabinet, then tighten the screws at the top using your 1/4 inch nut-driver.
Step 22. Plug the control panel’s wire connector back into the control board. Slide the top panel on the cabinet, then apply the three screws at then back using a 1/4 inch socket wrench.
Step 23. Plug the appliance back into the power outlet, then make sure everything works properly by running a spin cycle.
