You *can* get into the TOP of your dryer.
Undo 3 screws on the back along the top edge, pull plastic edge to top, off, then the whole top except the plasic front edge can be slid about 1/2 " towards you (you are standing behind the machine), it will then lift off.
MAKE A FULL COMPREHENSIVE DIAGRAM OF WHICH WIRE IS CONNECTED TO WHAT!!
Look at the belt: if it is chewed and manky (you can rotate the drum to see all of it) then you will have to replace it (£15 or so). If the belt is OK, then you might be looking at the back bearing or the motor. If its the motor, I would consider the machine BER. I have not done the back bearing, I think it is rivetted on.
To replace it: remove the front panel (screws on top of front edge plastic, a set of screws around drum inside door, (not the hinge screws), a couple of screws underneath near the front edge. (lay machine on its back to get to these).
Unclip rightangle platic tubing from bottom of filter housing. Remove the main part of the filter houseing (it comes upwards, I can't remember if there are any screws, look and see). Note there are a couple of wires giong to a thinggummy on the back of the housing... note where they connect. Similarly the door switch, and which way up it goes.
Undo the metal carrier that is across the front of the machine (its got two wheels on it, and supports the front of the drum). After undoing the 4 small screws, it lifts out. (The screws merely keep it in place, they don't actually take the weight).
The front of the machine can either be laid to one side (awkward because it has got all the wires on it, and you don't want to cut them on sharp edges) or disconnected completely and put to one side (which is where the diagram comes in useful...)
The belt can be removed: it goes all around the drum, and each side passes over a roller just above the motor, (tensioner) so the "loop" of the belt goes between the two rollers, and then around the underside of the mnotor's drive spindle.
Fiddly. I did the motor end first, whilst wife kept a little bit of tension from the top so it didn't come off. and then fed it onto the drum from above. Have a tin of plasters handy.
Reassembly is the reverse of dissassembly - make sure the drum is mounted in its bearing at the back (keep the tension on the belt otherwise it will come off again) and get the carrier with the two wheels reinstalled, there is an earth wire on one of the 4 self tapping screws holding thecarrier on. The main weight on the carrier is taken by lugs which sit in slots on the frame - you'll see that when you dissassemble.
Put the wires back on the correct terminals (using the DIAGRAM!!!)
Look at the mains suppressor, at the back of the machine, top right hand corner... replace if it's casing is split, or if you have heard loud bangs (like gunshot!!) but the machine kept going,,,
There may be soot around it as well ( a further clue!)
Replacement of this item is a simple case of disconnect/unscrew/screw on new one/reconnect (which is where your diagram might come in useful...)
Slide lid back on and secure with back plastic.
Now: do ME a favour.... please could you take the lid off your machine, and email me a drawing of which wire goes where on the main timer module.... :o)
Mine fell off whilst doing this job... and I hadn't made a diagram!!
idh@henden.co.uk
Ian Henden, January 2007
