Part Location Diagram of 279640 Whirlpool Idler Pulley
See part 39 in the diagram
Replacing your Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley
( Grid squares measure 1x1 inch )
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Idler Pulley 279640

 Fits your WED95HEXW0!
★★★★★
★★★★★
118 Reviews

Rated by 29 customers 

Really Easy 

30 - 60 mins 

Ratings submitted by customers like you who bought this part.

$ 22.89
  In Stock

Get this part fast! Average delivery time for in-stock parts via standard shipping: 1.8 days.

 Fits your WED95HEXW0!
PartSelect Number PS334244
Manufacturer Part Number 279640
Manufactured by Whirlpool for Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag, KitchenAid
Product Description

Idler Pulley Specifications

This Idler Pulley includes the tri-ring and gasket and everything included here is manufacturer-certified. This part maintains correct tension on the drive belt in order to spin the drum properly. If damaged or broken the dryer will not dry properly, will not tumble properly, or may not even start. Installation is rated as "Medium" difficulty. This part is located on the dryer drum, around the tension pulley. Refer to your user manual and model number for repair instructions and to ensure this part is right for you. For this repair project, the tools needed are a Phillips screwdriver, 1/4 inch nut driver, putty knife, small flat blade screw driver, and needle nose pliers.
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Part Videos

Replacing your Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley

Replacing your Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley
Troubleshooting
This part fixes the following symptoms:
Noisy | Drum Not Spinning | Won’t Start
This part works with the following products:
Dryer, Washer Dryer Combo.
Part# 279640 replaces these:
AP3094197, 2958, 279640, 279640, 279640VP, 3388672, 697692, W10468057
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Customer Reviews
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★★★★★
118 Reviews
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Customer Repair Stories
 Average Repair Rating: 3.7 / 5.0, 29 reviews. What's this?
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Sorry, we couldn't find any existing installation instruction that matched.
Dryer drum would not turn
Ordered $245 worth of parts for four possible fixes. None of the four fixes worked. Used an appliance repair person to do more troubleshooting. Fourteen days later and after spending an additional $380 ($625 total), a new control panel was installed. That solved the problem.
Other Parts Used:
Thermostat, Internal-Bias Motor Pulley - 60 Hz. Dryer Repair Kit Idler Pulley
  • Karla from YAKIMA, WA
  • Difficulty Level:
    Very Difficult
  • Total Repair Time:
    More than 2 hours
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Screw drivers
3 of 4 people found this instruction helpful.
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Annoying loud metal to metal screeching noise.
Took the front part of the dryer out, released tension on the idler pulley, took the drum out, and remove the old drum seal. Make sure you remove the old adhesive with sandpaper or wire brush. Put the new adhesive on the seal, not on the drum. Adhesive is very runny. Seal may need to be stretched to fit the drum. Set the seal on the drum, let sit a few minutes. Put everything back together.
Other Parts Used:
Dryer Drum Seal with Adhesive Idler Pulley
  • Ricardo from ARBUCKLE, CA
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    30 - 60 mins
  • Tools:
    Screw drivers, Socket set
2 of 2 people found this instruction helpful.
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The belt you sent was too short
I disassembled the dryer, replaced the pulley (which was noisy), and the belt.reassembled, only to find out that the drum would not turn freely. checked all my procedures and kept having the same problem. Finally after 3 frustrating hours, I took the back off and noticed that idler arm was tight against the motor shaft, because the too short belt didn't allow for the clearance needed. Had too take everything apart ,another hour, went and found one at our local repair shop, reinstalled everything , after another two hours runs fine. would appreciate a refund. And please check your part numbers in the future. Would hate to have someone else go through what i experienced.
Other Parts Used:
Multi Rib Belt Idler Pulley
  • Larry from Middlebury, IN
  • Difficulty Level:
    Very Difficult
  • Total Repair Time:
    More than 2 hours
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Pliers, Screw drivers, Socket set, Wrench (Adjustable)
6 of 6 people found this instruction helpful.
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Dryer starts with loud squeak initially. Eventually there was a loud clank and dryer stopped.
Rather than remove the front panels, door, control panel and drum, I noticed 1/4" metal screws on the back panel. There were approximately 6 holding the back panel in place. I did have to remove the top panel as well before removing the back. Once removed I had complete access to the broken idler pulley assembly. I immediately saw the broken pulley. I installed the new one with very little effort. Reset the belt according to instructions from the video. Reassembled, plugged in, hit start and enjoyed the sweet sounds of success. All told it took me about 20 minutes from start to finish.
Other Parts Used:
Idler Pulley with Bracket Idler Pulley
  • Victor from HOUSTON, TX
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Screw drivers
16 of 17 people found this instruction helpful.
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Unit not spent
Just replaced part
Other Parts Used:
Blower Wheel Blower Housing Seal Multi Rib Belt Drive Motor with Threaded Shaft - 120V 60Hz Idler Pulley
  • Boonkham from SMYRNA, TN
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    30 - 60 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver
2 of 2 people found this instruction helpful.
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Idler pulley broke off.
Took back panel off, and it was really easy putting the new idler pulley in.
  • Edwin from PASADENA, TX
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    30 - 60 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Screw drivers
1 person found this instruction helpful.
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Idler pulley was frozen on the shaft.
Removed the top, front cover, drum and belt. Removed the idler pulley bracket and pressed the frozen pulley from the shaft. Cleaned the shaft and applied a small dab of anti seize and replaced the pulley. Installed all parts in reverse order. Dryer works like new again.
Other Parts Used:
Multi Rib Belt Idler Pulley
  • John from HAMPTON, NJ
  • Difficulty Level:
    Very Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Pliers, Screw drivers, Socket set
1 person found this instruction helpful.
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load squeak
followed the video
Other Parts Used:
Multi Rib Belt Idler Pulley
  • kole from VILLARD, MN
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    30 - 60 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Screw drivers
1 of 2 people found this instruction helpful.
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Dryer squeeching very loud
Took off back of dryer Undid belt from belt adjuster pulled and took off adjuster put new one on redid belt and put back on dryer. Done
Other Parts Used:
Idler Pulley with Bracket Idler Pulley
  • Michael from ENOLA, PA
  • Difficulty Level:
    Very Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Socket set
9 of 9 people found this instruction helpful.
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Squeaky dryer
Ezee pezee lemon squeezee.
  • robert from ELMA, WA
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Screw drivers
3 of 3 people found this instruction helpful.
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Questions and Answers

Ask our experts a question about this part and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!

25 questions answered by our experts.
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Wes
July 20, 2017
Replacing my idler pulley and I feel like it might be too small. The other one comes off and on easily however this one is giving me a lot of trouble. I hate to say I might’ve got the wrong one, but when I went in store they said it is the correct one for my model. So do you have any tips to make this installation easier
PartSelect logo
Hello Wes, we recommend replacing the idler pulley and the idler bracket together as one assembly. You can order the kit here W10837240. I hope this helps.

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Nic
July 20, 2017
Replacing the idler pulley bc of excessive squealing. Does this repair need lubricant? It looks like on my old one there was lubricant but just wanted to make sure before I put it on
PartSelect logo
Hi Nic, you can only use a dry lubricant in dryers, examples of this would be baby powder, or corn starch. However, for this repair you do not necessarily need lubricant, as they are normally assembled dry. Best of luck with this repair.

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Julian
July 20, 2017
I confirmed that this is the idler pulley for my make and model dryer before buying it. But when it arrived its thinner and a little bigger around- is it safe to use???
PartSelect logo
Hello Julian, this idler pulley was recently redesigned by the manufacturer, which is why it looks different. However, it will still work for your model. Please let us know if you have any further questions!

10 people found this helpful.

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Bob
March 6, 2019
The video you show on replacing my part shows a different dryer than what i have.
PartSelect logo
Hello Bob, thank you for your question. The idler pulley is used on many different styles of dryers. The dryer might be different but the installation video should provide the same instructions for your unit. I hope this helps!

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Robert
May 21, 2019
Does the idler pulley come with the washer and tri ring when you purchase it ?
For model number 110.87731700
PartSelect logo
hello Robert, Thank you for the question. This is the idler pulley with tri-ring and gasket as seen in the picture. Hope this helps!

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Barry
January 10, 2018
While observing my dryer drum i noticed that the belt wanders forward (toward door). At this point the drive motor stalls causing dryer to stop until the motor cools. If i move the belt backwards the dryer functions normally. My thought was that i may need to replace the belt and/or the pulley assembly. Can you please help me? Barry grimm
For model number GEQ8858JQ1 (electric)
PartSelect logo
Hi Barry, Thank you for your question. Based on what you described, it sounds like the belt may be worn and stretched and it may be replaced. I would also check the pulley to see if it securely fastened. If it is worn or damaged you will need to replace it. I hope this helps. Thank you and have a great day!

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Charlie
August 19, 2019
My dryer squeaks for the first 30 seconds or so. Sometimes more often then others especially when it first comes on. I assume it's the belt tensioner pulley or possibly the drum rollers. I bought the whole kit with the pulley, belt, and rollers. I'm hoping you have a video or at least some tips on replacing it before I tear into it. I've done it on an older dryer before but nothing this new.
For model number WED8500DC1
PartSelect logo
Hello Charlie, Thank you for the question. I would suggest watching the how to video. Hope this helps! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WteoIPe-PE

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Tim
July 18, 2019
Have a Whirlpool cabrio dryer. Ordered the idler pulley part # 279640. Wheel is a little bigger in dia. But this is no problem. But i can't get to slide on pulley bracket arm. The center opening visually appears the same as the one i took off. But i can't even force it on. New idler center opening is to tight.
For model number WED5600XW0
PartSelect logo
Hi Tim, thank you for your question. I would suggest taking a look at our installation video here: https://youtu.be/y011lnwfx6Q. If that is not enough you might have to buy the whole part already assembled. I have linked the part below for you. Good luck with your repair.

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Related Parts:
Ruben
August 9, 2019
Hi i have a Whirlpool cabrio i need the tensioner and pulley. Does w10837240 fit my model? Thank you for your help.
For model number Wgd5600xw1
PartSelect logo
Hello Ruben, thank you for inquiring. Yes, this Idler Pulley with Bracket part number PS11726337 (manufacturer's part number W10837240) is the correct replacement for your model. Good luck with your repair!

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Jesse
December 17, 2019
How do i access the idler pulley? The lower panel clips do not want to release. Thank you.
For model number 11069822800
PartSelect logo
Hello Jesse and thanks for writing. For your convenience, we have attached the link to your manual with repair instruction. We hope this helps. Good luck with your repair https://partselectcom.azureedge.net/assets/manuals/CB0964EF63134A82F3987C95C0572A2DF9B5EACD.pdf

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