GDE8500 Dryer - Instructions

Looked on you tube for how to do. Went really easy.

Recently our dryer began squealing after it ran for a few minutes. This happened several years ago and I replaced the idler pulley wheel, which resolved the issue at the time. I figured this time I would go ahead and replace the idler pulley wheel, idler pulley arm, drum support roller kits (*note - the parts diagram shows 1 drum support roller, but follow the advice in the write-up - there are actually 2 drum supports) and belt. Process is pretty simple - unplug the dryer, remove 2 screws at bottom of front panel & remove panel, remove tumbler support and tumbler, then vacuum out all the lint and junk. Remove the drum support wheels (snap ring on shaft) and remove the drum support wheel shafts (9/16" nut on back). Install new drum support shafts and wheels in reverse. Unscrew idler pulley arm, install new idler pulley on new idler pulley arm with e-clip, then screw new idler assembly back in. Place the tumbler back into the dryer, then install the belt (follow the instructions included with the new belt to route it correctly around the drum, motor pulley and idler wheel). Reinstall the tumbler support bracket and front panel, then give the dryer a test. If all went well, everything should be much quieter.

ordered new filter and installed

I did a google search and found a repair video on youtube that showed me step-by-step how to repair the dryer. Then I did the following: 1 Remove the bottom screws and tilt the front panel out. 2. Disconnect the electrical wires from the front panel after marking which color goes where. 3. I removed the 4 bolts holding the drum in place and removed that panel. 4. I removed the belt very easily and then removed the drum. 5. I saw the pulley wheel lying on the bottom of the dryer. 6. I removed the one screw holding the assembly on the dryer and disconnected the spring. 7. I removed the parts I needed from that assy and put on the new assy. 8. I put the new assy on the dryer and reversed this procedure.

Thanks to parts select & customer experiences , I was able to minimize potential mistakes ---example ; belt does not go in track around drum as it will self align--- also I did remove drum to examine all related parts which were O.K.---customer comments were appreciated and would not be offered by any parts supplier for any product ---This is my second positive purchase from parts select --- I wish other companies would treat customers with the same respect.

Unlike most dryers, this one must be opened by removing the two screws at the bottom of the front panel and pulling the bottom out at an angle in order to release the spring clips holding the panel to the top. Remove the blower unit cover by unscrewing the eight sheet metal screws situated around it's perimeter being careful not to bend it and cause realignment problems upon replacement. There is a small spring clip on the end of the shaft that must be removed with a special tool made for this purpose. Use inserts with the smallest tip to do this being careful not to open the clip so far as to lose spring tension as a new one is not furnished with the new wheel. Then with a pair of pliers, open the large clip on the wheel itself and remove it. At this point the old wheel should slide right off the shaft. Install the new wheel along with the new clip and replace the spring clip, blower housing cover and front panel.

The repair was extremely easy to do. The video was perfectly done and described everything one needed to do in very simplistic details.

about 2 hours. most important was using the special snap ring pliers. next was getting the belt around the motor pulley and drum.it was easier to remove the 9" X 9" rear cover plate and see/do the correct belt hookup. the instruction sheet was very good. the most useful/helpful was the part select internet site wiith the diagrams and explanation of how to do it.then I ordered your parts because of it

I know nothing about appliance and am not really very handy with mechanical repairs, but I decided to watch the video and decided to try. Figuring out the source of the noise wasn't as easy as just listening to it on the video. I was still confused about whether it was the blower or the rollers. I ended up sticking my head inside and manually turning to drum - it sounded like the noise was more in the front. To confirm, I opened up the front and checked the blower wheel. It was very loose, so I decided to order. Things went pretty smoothly until I got to removing the ring. I've never used snap ring pliers before, so I went to Lowe's and purchased a Retaining Ring Pliers Set. Unfortunately, the pliers were too large for the ring so I ended up opening up a paper clip and inserting one end in each hole in the ring, Then I used two pliers to pull the paper clip and open the ring. This took a while to figure out and, looking back, I could have made things much easier on myself. There was an extra metal plate that wasn't in the video. I had to remove it to take off the blower housing. I didn't remember how it went on, so I just left it off. Everything else was exactly by the video. I installed the new blower wheel and clip and voila - the dryer purrs like a kitten again. I feel very good about being able to accomplish something I never imagined I could do and saving some money in the process. I highly recommend and will certainly use the service again.

Fortunately our Dryer had a separate cover on back of dryer so the drum did not have to be removed. Biggest challenge was removing the hot air duct work since it is so light weight and easily damaged. Belt was removed and pulley removed and new pulley was easily installed.

Two screws takes off the front panel.Watch for door wiring. Set door to the side.Take out the filter duct. Pull belt off... pull out the drum and there it is. One nut and a slip washer and the roller is off. Repeat the steps in reverse. A second set of hands will make it go faster.

I searched for possible symptoms and viewed a video about how to remove the heating element. There were three possible parts listed for this symptom: Thermostat, thermal coupling and heating element. I decided to check the heating element continuity, so I removed the heating element. Once I looked at the heating element, I could see a break in the heating coil, so I know the problem. I put my existing thermostat on the new heating element, plugged in 4 wires and installed two screws to secure the heating element, then reinstalled the front cover to the dryer.

IT was good My husband fixed it .sorry we didn't take video but it is working alright. Thank you

The videos available on the net illustrate this pretty well. I just wanted to mention that I did this in two passes. I ordered a new belt, the two drum rollers, and the idler pulley, assuming that the rumble was caused by binding in one of the rollers or the pulley, causing the belt to slip. When I got it apart, I realized the rumbling was caused by the blower wheel slipping on its shaft. So if you have this symptom, check that the blower wheel is secure on the shaft first thing. Replacing the blower wheel is a much cheaper and easier repair than replacing the belt, rollers, & pulley.

1. Unplugged and not connected to any gas lines
2. Disassemble
2.1. Remove back plate using nut driver
2.2. remove belt from drive/take up roll
2.3. Remove front door using a screwdriver and putty knife
2.4. disconnect wiring from front door and be sure to mark color of wire with slot from which it came from (I marked the first letter of color in pencil on quick disconnect slot)
2.5. set door out of way
2.6. remove top and set next to machine (no quick disconnect for this) (nut driver)
2.7. remove front mounting bracket for tumbler (nut driver)
2.8. remove tumbler/drum (label in pencil on tumbler “F for front and R for rear” of tumbler, for re installation later)
3. Drum Roller Kit
3.1. Use snap ring pliers to remove snap rings on shaft of drum rollers
3.2. remove rollers and washers
3.3. inspect shafts for wear (if shafts are good go on to next step, otherwise order new shafts & install new shafts)
3.4. install new rollers and washers
3.5. use snap ring pliers to install snap ring on shaft with rollers in place
3.6. test rollers (make sure turn smooth and without wobble)
4. Fan Blower wheel with clip
4.1. remove cover for blower fan wheel (using nut driver or adj. Wrench)
4.2. be sure to note which way the blades are angled
4.3. Remove snap ring on blower fan
4.4. remove fan blade/wheel
4.5. inspect shaft for wear
4.6. turn shaft and feel for play in motor bearings or spots of catching (hopefully there is none, if motor turns really hard or not at all, has more than 1/16” of play, or keeps catching on something internally, you may want to start looking for another dryer/or motor depending on prices)
4.7. install new fan blade/wheel (with blades facing correct way
4.8. clip snap ring on shaft and manually test fan for smooth turning and no wobble.
4.9. If all is well, Install guard
5. Front glide kit
5.1. I did one at a time so I could imitate and look at the other one and not take notes on correct install (even those its not that complicated)
5.2. Drilled out old rivets (using drill and 1/8” bit)
5.3. put glides in place and used rivet gun to rivet down glides ( should have little arc to them)
6. reassembly (two people would be nice but can be done by oneself)
6.1. be sure drive belt is on tumbler/drum when installing
6.2. place tumbler back in place and be sure tumbler is riding rollers and cloth as well as Front/Rear are in Front/Rear
6.3. (hopefully with one person hold tumbler in position) install mounting bracket
6.4. turn tumbler and be sure turns freely and has a little play/slop/wobble
6.5. from rear of machine place drive belt back on take-up and drive (be sure groves of belt are facing into the take-up pulley which is also grooved) and turn tumbler again. Should have a little resistance now
6.6. put top of dryer back and screw together
6.7. put front on and screw together
6.8. Screw back plate on
6.9. Repairs are complete
6.10. Plug in and test. You don’t need a gas line attached to test