[iphi]

I simply want to know how to remove and replace the very thin and strong lock nut that hold the roller on such that the drum can rotate. It was time to replace the rollers but I cannot figure out how to effectively complete this job!! Is there some special tool? The lock piece has two little holes on a thing washer lock with a tiny opening. I understand the function but not how to get it off and on.

[AmpDraw]

I've been out of residential appliance repair and doing only commercial appliances a few years now and need to look at the parts breakdowns for mind refreshers. Do you have a model number so I can look at what your working with here? You must be missing or over looking something, I can't remember any model or brand dryer being troublesome to replace the drum rollers on.

[denman]

You did not include a Model Number so here is a Amana for illustration purposes
Maytag LE8317W2 Parts List

If the part you need to take off is Item 14 in the RearBLKHD section Retaining
Ring then there are special pliers to remove/install these.
Also known as circlips (pronounced sirclip) or snap rings.
You should be able to get a pair at any place that handles tools. Take note of the size of the small holes in the circlip as they do come in different sizes.
I have a handle with 4 interchangeable jaw sets for various sizes. Sometimes you can get them off with a small pair of needle nose pliers, as long as the tips will fit in the holes.

[AmpDraw]

Ah yes, thanks denman for the refresher course for me!

In a pinch, with a lot of imagination and patience, it is possible to get the snap rings on and off without buying snap ring pliers. The pliers do make the job very simple, but I have removed these before with needle nose pliers and a small flat screw driver.

If you look carefully at it you'll see the snap ring, it looks like a washer with a slit opening on one side of it and two small holes (for the snap ring pliers). You can attempt to grab one side of the slit with needle nose pliers and then push out the other side with the small flat tip screw driver. You're wanting to force that slit open further so you can get at least part of thaat washer looking piece (the snap ring) out of the grove in the shaft it snaps into.

Putting it back on afterward is a little easier than getting it off this way, make sure you squeeze it back together aty the slit a little before putting it back on because forcing it off in this way will spread it far enough possibly that when you put it back on it doesn't lock into the groove as well as it should.

If you don't have needle nose pliers, don't go buy a set just for this, instead just buy the snap ring pliers. The snap ring pliers usualy come with different size tips that go on the pliers and push into those little holes on the ring. Then when you squeeze the pliers in it seperates the ends of the tool and forces the ring open so it can be removed.

Most snap ring pliers are also reversable, meaning they can be made to either pull the ends in when squeezed, or push the ends out when squeezed. Directions with the new tool will explain this should you decide to buy one. Any place that sells tools will carry these, hardware store, auto parts store etc...

I'd try it without the tool first, just because this is the type of tool the average person will never again need in their lifetime.

[iphi]

Thank you for your help in this matter! We did use a screw driver and needle nose pliers with some effort I must admit and replaced the rollers and the belt on the drum. However, we did not fix our problem and created a new one in the mix. I forgot to unplug the dryer and undid the front door, when I moved the front panel I shorted out the switch in the door. What a foolish move. We also discovered in this process that we had not fixed the problem. The squeeling sound apparently was the ?timer? and I need to replace the parts. Our model is LG430W by Amana. It is several years old but I do not need to replace it. I replaced the igniter last year and it worked fine until about a week and a half ago. Thank you all for your encouragement in the do it yourself arena. Iphi

[jhuselton]

Maytag Dryer NOMDET236AYW

2 YR OLD
STOPPED HEATING DID ALL TROUBLE SHOOTING VENTS CLEAR BREAKERS SET, ETC.
STILL SPINS.

WHAT IS NEXT THING I CAN CHECK?