How to Replace a Frigidaire Dryer Drive Belt
When a Frigidaire dryer's motor hums but the drum sits still, the drive belt has snapped. Replacing it, part 137315300 or the model equivalent, is an intermediate, 25 to 30-minute job that means lifting the drum out and getting the belt orientation right on the way back in.
Belt broke, or belt switch tripped?#
A broken belt shows up two ways. On most models the motor keeps running while the drum does nothing and a loose belt thumps inside the cabinet. On models with a belt switch, though, the break trips a safety switch that shuts the whole dryer down to stop the motor free-wheeling and overheating, so a Frigidaire that goes completely dead can also be a broken belt. Either way the fix is the same, and belts typically last 8 to 15 years before they let go.
Before you start#
| Category | What you need |
|---|---|
| Tools | Phillips #2 screwdriver, 1/4-inch nut driver, flat-blade screwdriver, flashlight |
| Part | Drive belt 137315300 (or the model-specific equivalent); inspect the idler pulley and replace it if noisy |
| Time and level | 25 to 30 minutes, Intermediate |
Safety warning: Unplug the dryer. For gas models, shut off gas supply. The drum is light but awkward to handle.
Do You Have the Right Tools?
Gas leak detector ($130), thermal fuse tester ($95), belt tension gauge, and vent inspection camera ($180). Our technician arrives with $3,000+ in professional tools — your diagnostic is free.
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Step-by-step#
1 - Open to the drum. Remove the top panel (2 rear screws or spring clips), then the front panel: back out the two top screws visible with the top off, unplug the door-switch wires, and lift the panel off its lower clips.
2 - Release tension and lift the drum out. Reach under the drum to the idler in the lower-right area, push the idler arm toward the motor to slacken the belt, and slip the belt off the motor shaft. Draw the drum forward and up out of the front opening and set it on a blanket, then remove the old belt or collect the broken pieces from the cabinet.
3 - Inspect the idler while you are in there. Spin the idler wheel by hand; it should turn smoothly and quietly. A squeal, grind, or flat spot means you replace it now, because a bad idler chews through a new belt fast. The idler is usually held by a single bolt and spring.
4 - Fit the new belt on the drum. Lay the belt around the drum with the flat, smooth side against the drum surface and the ribbed side facing out, roughly centered. Frigidaire drums have no belt-guide groove, so getting it visually centered matters, since a belt too far to one edge will wander and shred.
5 - Reinstall the drum and route the belt. Set the drum's rear edge onto its support rollers first, then lower the front. Run the belt straight down from the drum, wrap it under and around the idler wheel with the ribbed side on the pulley, and carry it around the motor shaft, again ribbed side to the shaft. Push the idler arm toward the motor for slack, seat the belt, and release so the spring pulls it taut.
6 - Verify and close up. Spin the drum a full turn by hand; the belt should track straight without riding to one edge, and the drum should turn with smooth resistance. Reconnect the door switch, hang and screw the front panel, refit the top, and run a timed cycle to confirm a smooth, quiet, steady spin.
Troubleshooting after the swap#
- Belt rides off the drum edge: the belt is the wrong length, or the drum is not seated level on both rear rollers. Check the drum sits square.
- Squeal after the new belt: the idler bearing is worn; replace the idler.
- Drum still will not turn: the belt skipped the idler or the motor shaft. Verify the drum-to-idler-to-motor route.
- Belt breaks again soon: a seized idler burned through it, which is exactly why you inspect the idler during a belt job.
Safety First — Know the Risks
Gas dryers carry carbon monoxide and explosion risk. Even electric dryers involve 240V circuits that can deliver a fatal shock. Our techs are licensed and insured — let them handle the risk.
Licensed & Insured · 90-Day Warranty · Same-Day Service
Appliance Repair Technician & Diagnostics Specialist · 10 years experience
Electronics and diagnostics specialist with 10 years of experience in modern smart appliance repair, specializing in LG and Samsung.
