I have a hotpoint TCM580 Aquarius and the belt has snapped after 13 months from buying it. How do I replace the belt? I have bought the new belt and thought it would be like on the old dryers, but I had to take the body shell off and am now stumped as to how the belt goes on. Any help would be appreciated.

Mr J Willis, March 2012

I have recently had to replace a belt and bearing on a similar model. First remove the heater fan housing cover at the rear of the machine.
Unscrew the fan impeller blade screws and remove the fan blades.
After removing machines top and L/H side panels (as you face the front of the machine), disconnect the bearing from its housing by removing the split pin. This will allow you to pull away the rear panel enough to feed the belt onto the drum.
You will need to locate the belt onto the motor pulley first. The difficult part is getting the belt on the drum as it is a very tight fit. I used some tyre leavers and brute force.
Once you have the belt on check that the vent duct pipe (which conveys the hot air from the filter housing at the front of the machine to the rear panel vent hose coupling) is still located and hasn't fallen away. Realign and secure the back panel in position so that the drum sits inside the foam seal ring on the back panel and the bearing is fully engaged in its housing.
Secure the bearing using a new split pin.
Ensure the fan belt is in line with the pulley by rotating the drum and checking that the belt does not drift, this will feel quite stiff because the belt is such a tight fit.
Rebuild the remaining side panel, fan and fan housing leaving off the top panel. Run the dryer to test it by plugging in and switching on, ensuring that it runs smoothly. Relocate the top panel.

Brian Colliver, March 2012