Can you tell me how I fit a belt on Zanussii TC481W tumble dryer. I cannot get it to tighten

Brian Fitzpatrick 22-06-04, June 2004

I just replaced the belt on our old - Zanussi TC481W - got the replacement belt from espares its a wider belt but fits the machine.

Two tips - in our machine we skipped STEP 5 on the wikiHOW instructions as removing the back panel bring with it the airflow panel, as long as you can remove the e-ring washers that is the main part.

I also needed a helper as the back panel would not lay flat due to slack on the wires so needed someone to hold it while I replaced the belt.

The belt treading photo is spot on for our machine.

We did have the machine on its front - much easier, but again you need a helper to push the drum to get the e-ring washers back on etc.

thanks to his thread and wikiHOW article it took us 40 mins to complete the job, after an overnight delivery of the spare part.

MP-London, December 2012

I replaced the drive belt on my Zanussi TC 481W by following advice from an engineer who advised taking all main bits off and apart. An Irish man on you tube shows how simple it is rather than getting technical, just sorry I didn't see that first. Although working it seemed a bit sluggish, so I replaced the fane belt which was the same age (10years) sorry I threw original away because I think replacement is made of more plastic than rubber, anyway the tumble dryer continued to work but drum needed a gentle push to get it started and then would stop part way through cycle. Checked out you tube again with symptoms and that identified a capasitor replacement. The same Irish man showed me how to fit a capasitor, very simply. Its back to normal. He saved me lots of money.

Marion, November 2012

I have managed to fit the belt and the tumble dryer working however it sticks when it goes to and from reverse every 4 minutes. We can push drum so it continues to spin. Does anyone else have this problem?

TUMBLEWEED, December 2010

Thanks to Al Good-May 2007. you saved me.Was about to give up when I read your bit about the correct belt routing (you were absolutely right) . It was hard-I needed another pair of hands, but it worked! Also fed the belt from the front-much easier than dismantling all the back bits.

Maricel R, March 2010

All helpful answers, the best from Paul O suggesting wikihow.com It took me a while to find the right page so here's a direct link http://www.wikihow.com/Replace-a-Broken-Drive-Belt-in-a-Clothes-Dryer
If this link doesn't work, go to www.wikihow.com and search for 'How to Replace a Broken Drive Belt in a Clothes Dryer' (or something similar). I made the mistake of searching for my model (TC482W) which brought up nothing, but the above page was the same as my model and the photo's are really helpful.
Annoyingly - my dryer still doesn't work!! Think the motor is sticking :-(

Em, December 2009

the picture of the belt configuration on the wikihow .com site is correct. Tip - if you are working on your own, before you remove the back panel, place a chock between the drum and the bottom moulding to prevent the drum dropping. One other tip - I had difficulty refitting the back panel with the dryer upright. So after fitting the drum spindle back in the bearing and offering up the back panel, lay the dryer down on its front (on cushions to protect the timer dial). You will find it easier to get the panel in its correct position to attach the screws.

Rod, November 2009

thank u so much for the imfo on the belts,i was pulling me hair out for two hours,until my sister suggested i use the web,i found u guys,and within ten mins of reading your answers i had the belt on,once again,thnks so much,

nige, September 2008

The tips from this page along with the pics from the wikihow (http://www.wikihow.com/Replace-a-Broken-Drive-Belt-in-a-Clothes-Dryer ) were great replaced it in under 30 mins.
Oh a electric screwdriver with a socket attachment helps things go quicker. :)
Thanks

desig, January 2008

Please note the spring has not been fitted incorrectly it should be on the left hand side of the motor in a near vertical position. The picture everyone has been following from this site: www.wikihow.com showing the belt is fed round the black tensioner wheel and motor is wrong! The spring should not be changed, as then the belt will potentially be rubbing on the electirc wires.

The belt should go round the drum, now following the belt down the left hand side of the drum, it should then go straight under the motor shaft fitting on the grooves, then round the left hand side of the black tensioner wheel, then back up round the right hand side of the drum. This will then pull the motor in the other (correct) direction putting tension on the spring in the correct direction.

John Mackinder, January 2008

pic instructions on how to fit a belt on a hotpoint aquirus tumble dryer

stuart, October 2007

Guys thank you very much for all your help.
I had no idea how to replace the belt but was determined not to pay a "specialist" to come out and rip me off.

A quick search online and I had the answer.

Many Thanks

Al Good, May 2007

If I could just add a few bits that helped me.
Remove the white plastic bit at the bottom that covers the small belt (looks a bit like a car fan belt). Two screws I think, then remove the belt.
Lid off, then onto the back plate.
You only need remove the outer bolts on the back and the drum comes away with the back plate. Move the whole back plate back slightly so that the drum clears the front , dont pull too hard, or too far, you don't need to. Watch for any wires, I seem to remember a few. There is slack so don't panic. Clear out the fluff from the front where the drum sits/rotates, there's a surprising amount in there. I found this easier with the front loading door open and hooked my finger inside.
Loop the belt over the front of the drum and slide it to the back.
Right, now the bit that threw me. Everyone said move the motor to the left (anticlockwise) against the spring tension. Mine however was tensioning to the right (clockwise). When I pushed it anticlockwise it just stopped against the spring which was in a vertical position to the left of the motor. Then I read a thread that said their spring had gone into the wrong position probably when the tension was lost when the belt snapped. With this in mind I pushed the motor to the left and eventually the spring (with a fair clang) popped under the motor and was now laying almost horizontal beneath the motor. This now changed the tension to anti clockwise. The correct belt routing is then under the drum from the left, over the top and clockwise round the tensioner, then anti clockwise round the groved pulley and up to the right hand side of the drum. Hope this helps, many thanks to all those who have posted here and on other sites for their excellent help. By the way, N. Kelly is spot on about the cuts, prepare to get a few.

Paulie, April 2007

I have just successfully repaired my Zanussi TC482W Tumble Dryer after the tension pulley disintegrated. I Searched on ebay for "Zanussi Pulley" and found part straight away. The motor is fitted with a spring that automatically sets the tension on the main drive belt. The secret is to fit the pulley the correct way (which I eventually did) by pulling the motor hard left / counter clock wise and fitting the belt over the pulley. As previously stated do not work on the appliance if plugged in to the mains. Thank you to all that have previously answered this question as you pointed me in the right direction.

Paul O, February 2007

go to www.wikihow.com instructions to fit and tighten the belt there is also photos showing the right way the belt is fitted around the jocky pully

ron w, August 2006

Hi,

Yes I do, I had the very same problem, black drive belt broke, went to the store for a new one, tryed to fit it back on & at first it appeared too slack, the way to get the belt to tighten up is as follows:

Take the screws etc & back plate off the dryer

Slide the back plate & drum ( which are still connected ) out so you can place the new drive belt around the drum

You need to pull the motor down & to your left which allows even more slack on the belt. ( The Motor Is On A Steel Spring Which Allows It To Move From The Left To The Right ), Its a tricky job you are trying to keep the belt on the drum while pulling the the motor over to give you the slack you need to get the belt on the fly wheel & drive arm the correct way, I was able to fit the drive belt to the drive arm & fly wheel 1st & then pulled the motor to my left as hard as it would go, & then with my left hand I pulled the belt onto the drum, I was a nighmare & I cut my arm doing so I suggest having someone to help you as the metal is sharp in there !

The trick to getting the belt to tighten up is in the way you wrap the belt around the fly wheel & motor arm grooves.

I have uploaded two images of the correct way the new belt should be fitted to my Yahoo account, & as soon as the folder is made public you can download the diagrams

Also make sure the machine is pluged out, my Dad got a shock while trying to make out which way the belt goes on the motor he he !

Good luck

N.Kelly

email me if you still have trouble

http://uk.briefcase.yahoo.com/nkellyn

N. Kelly, May 2006

Extra Info. If, like me, the first time you looked inside this machine is when it breaks (belt snapped) it is hard to understand that the motor itself moves as it will be loose when the belt isn't there, its put under tension by a spring. So when you move the motor - and black pulley wheel - as far over to the left as it will go it will then tension the on its spring and on the belt.

Len Munday, December 2004

This was quite difficult for me at first.
Thread the belt over the drum (you'll have to remove the back panel first), then push the pulley which is attached to the motor hard over to the left. Thread the belt over the top of this pulley. You then need to pass the belt around the ridged spindle, also attached to the motor. This applies the correct tension to the drive belt.
If you get any problems please email me.
Good luck!

rwh@hallite.com, October 2004