Amana Dryer: belt slipping

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Amana dryer experiencing belt slipping? This common issue results in the dryer drum spinning inconsistently or not at all, despite the motor running. The problem is typically caused by a worn or damaged drive belt, which may lose grip or misalign, leading to inefficient drying cycles.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

  • Amana dryers use standard drive belt and idler configurations; belt wear and pulley issues are the most frequently noted causes for drum slippage
  • Misalignment and belt mis‑seating can cause noise and slipping in Amana dryers

Possible Causes

Worn, stretched, or damaged dryer drive belt

How to Identify: Visual signs of cracking, fraying, stretching; drum spins freely by hand with little resistance; slipping or loss of grip seen when belt is inspected

Part: Drive belt

Worn drum rollers or support bearings causing uneven rotation

How to Identify: Drum wobble or unusual noise; belt repeatedly slips due to uneven drum rotation

Part: Drum rollers/bearings

DIY Solutions

Inspect and Replace the Dryer Belt

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdrivers, work gloves, replacement belt
  1. Unplug dryer and disconnect power (and gas if applicable)
  2. Remove access panel to expose belt and drum
  3. Visually inspect belt for wear, fraying or looseness
  4. Remove old belt and install correct replacement routing around drum, motor and idler per diagram
  5. Ensure belt tension is correct and reassemble dryer panels
⚠️ Safety First: Always unplug electrical dryer before servicing

Check and Replace Idler Pulley or Tensioner

Advanced 60–90 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdrivers, socket set, replacement pulley
  1. Disconnect power and open dryer to expose belt path
  2. Release tension and remove belt to inspect idler pulley
  3. Check pulley for smooth spin and lack of wobble
  4. If pulley is worn or noisy, replace it with correct part
  5. Reinstall belt and verify proper tension and routing
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure proper part matching for model

Re‑route or Re‑seat the Belt Properly

Moderate 20–40 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdrivers
  1. Disconnect power
  2. Open panel to access belt assembly
  3. Check that belt is seated in designated grooves around drum and pulleys
  4. If off track, re‑route according to manufacturer belt path
  5. Reassemble and test dryer operation
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is disconnected before working

Professional Repairs

Professional Drive Belt Assembly Replacement

Estimated Cost: $80 - $200

Drum Roller or Support Bearing Replacement

Estimated Cost: $120 - $300

When to Call a Professional

Dryer belt slipping persists after replacing belt and checking tensioner
Significant drum wobbling or unusual noises indicating worn bearings/rollers
Uncertainty about safely accessing internal components

Preventive Maintenance

  • Inspect belt and pulleys: Belt wear and tension issues causing slipping
    Frequency: annually
  • Clean lint filter and vent: Overheating that can accelerate belt wear
    Frequency: after every use / annually for vent
  • Avoid overloading dryer: Excess strain on belt and components
    Frequency: Every use

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Dryer belt slipping?
The main causes are a worn or stretched drive belt and potential misalignment.
How do I fix Amana Dryer belt slipping myself?
Inspect and replace the dryer belt or check the idler pulley for proper function.
How much does it cost to fix belt slipping?
Professional repairs range from $80 to $200 for belt replacement.
When should I call a technician for belt slipping?
Call a technician if DIY solutions are beyond your skill level or if the issue persists.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

75%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Worn or damaged dryer belt
  • Faulty motor pulley causing misalignment
  • Improper tension on the belt due to a faulty tensioner

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Inspect and replace the worn or damaged dryer belt. Disconnect power, remove the front panel, and replace the belt by sliding it off the motor and drum, then install the new belt in reverse order.

  2. Check the motor pulley for wear or damage. If damaged, replace it by removing the old pulley and installing a new one, ensuring it is properly aligned.

  3. Examine the tensioner for proper function. Replace it if it is not providing adequate tension on the belt. This involves removing the front or rear panel to access the tensioner.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Amana dryer belt keeps slipping and breaking

Community Discussions

dryer belt keeps slipping and breaking

replaced the failed motor pulley

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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