The tumble dryer is a very convenient appliance to have in your home - without out them you will have to wait some time before your clothes are dried.
If you are noticing a high pitched squealing as the dryer runs you most likely need a new jockey wheels . In this guide we will talk you through how to replace a jockey wheel on a Hoover tumble dryer.
Please be aware that this guide will take you through the process of dismantling your tumble dryer to remove the drum and replace the jockey wheels . This should follow a similar procedure for most makes of dryer.
This video shows an example on how to remove or replace the part on a typical machine, some models may be different but the procedure should be similar.
What You Will Need:
Step 1 - Safety Advice
Safety First! Please ensure that you have disconnected the appliance from the mains before starting any repair and due to the sharp edges exposed we suggest suitable Safety Gloves are worn to help prevent injury.
Step 2 - Taking Off the Cover
To begin this repair we need to start by removing the top cover - held in place with screws which are located at the back. Once unscrewed you can take the top cover away from the tumble dryer.Once you have removed the top cover the next step is to take off the control panel. Held in place by two screws - remove these and the control panel will come away from the appliance.
Step 3 - Removing the Front Panel
Now the control panel is out the way the lower front panel now needs to be removed. The lower panel simply pops off, also do not forget to remove the door seal. With the seal and lower front panel off you can now unscrew the door.
Once the door has been taken out of the way the front panel can then be removed - held in place with eight screws. These should be found like so:
- X2 at the top
- X2 at the bottom
- X4 around the centre
With the panel out of the way you can now disconnect the two electrical connections that are holding the lock into place on the front panel.
Step 4 - Taking the Covers Away
Now we can start getting into the nitty gritty of this repair - we must now need to access the lower fan and remove this however it is protected by a cover. So of course this will need to be removed too.So first unscrew the cover - once that has been moved out of the way you will find a smaller cover protecting the fan itself - this can be pulled out and with that out of the way you can now remove the fan. To remove the fan you are going to need an extension to reach it - it is also recommended to also hold the fan to unscrew the nut.
Once the nut has been loosened you can pull it and the washer out, be careful as there may be another washer sitting behind the fan. The upper surround in the fan cavity now need to be removed, a tad bit fiddly but when you are pulling it out twist it also., pull that out and twist it to bring it fully out. You now need to start unscrewing the drum support but also don’t forget to remove the electrical connector. This should be a wire coming from the fan cavity - well follow this to where it is connected and unplug it.
Step 5 - Releasing the Belt
With the screws holding the support in place you can now remove it - easy enough to do, lift up it up about a quarter of an inch and then unhook the piece before pulling away.
Now the drum support has been removed you will now need to get low - you’ll need to get to the jockey wheels so you can remove the belt. To do this is awkward but possible, simply push one of the jockey wheels as far-right as possible, it is spring activated which will make it a little easier. Once pushed to the side you can then I can push the belt off the jockey wheel - with this done you can do the same to the other side. With the belt released you can then pull it off the motor spindle.
Step 6 - Loosening the Drum
With the belt released you will need to now access the wheels and to do this the drum needs lifting out. But first the heater panel needs to be removed as the screws which help keep the drum in place are located here. Found on the back of the appliance unscrew the heater cover to expose the heater. You should be able to see two screws which hold the bearing plate in place, remove these.
eSpares Top Tip: When unscrewing the bearing plate screws remove the lower screw first as this will help stop the drum and remaining screw from becoming damaged. Also take a hold of the drum belt as this will help support the drum from falling down once the last screw has been taken out.
Step 7 - Don’t Drop the Drum
With the screws out of the back and holding the drum, carefully let the drum rest in the drum, before removing the drum completely you’ll need to move the control panel out the way. So you when removing the drum - you’ll need to remove it from the front therefore ensure the control is clear as you don’t want the cables don’t get pinched.
Step 8 -The New Jockey Wheel
Great work so far - we are now ready to remove the jockey wheel, as this bit of the repair is a rather difficult to only explain in writing you can see Matt run through the removing process here.
When removing the wheels:
- First push the jockey to one side; the motor spindle will force the upper arm up and away from the pivot which sits at the bottom.
- Next you will be able to pull up the top arm a little bit further as this will prevent it from going back into its original position around the motor spindle.
- Then for the other other arm - simply repeat the process
Once done you will then have two jockey wheels and their arms wrapped around the motor spindle.
Once you have performed the previous steps you should end up with jockey wheels facing the bottom of the - once one you can then simply lift the arms, wheels and spring out of the tumble dryer.
Step 9 - Fitting the Spring
With the old jockey wheels out of the machine you now need to remove the old spring as the new one does not come with this part. Using a pair of pliers simply lift the old spring out of its position, the springs hooks should be able to access via the tiny port holes on the outside of the brackets.
So removal of the spring is rather straightforward however the replacement is a little more difficult however we have a…
eSpares Top Tip: Put the spring into position on one side, using a strand of wire - wrap it around the top of the spring. Take the other arm and feed the wire (which is attached to the spring) through the hole - then you will be able to easily lift the spring into position before fitting the new jockey wheels in the appliance.
To begin fitting the wheels, simply push them down and around the spindle - twist both arms making sure you don’t trap any of the wires. You need to push the most right arm down so that it wraps around the pivot. With that one in place you can then push both wheels to your left and force the other arm down to attach to the pivot.
Step 10 - The New Part
Now fitting the new jockey wheel maybe a little tough but persevere because you it will fit into place. Once the jockey wheels are in place you will not be ready to place the drum back into position.
So I'll just move the control panel and the wires safely out of the way, so I can put the drum in. It's worth noting that the heater hole in the back of the drum should line up with the heater hole at the back at the appliance.
Step 11 - Reinstalling the Drum
When fitting the drum back into position it is worth noting that the heater hole on the drum must line up with the heater hole on the tumble dryer. Remember that we removed the drum from from the front of the appliance therefore when fitting it, it should be fitted the same way.
Using the belt to help support the drum carefully slide the drum in place. Make sure not to catch the belt on the sides as they are sharp and you don’t want the belt breaking. So once you have lined up the heater holes and are happy you need to locate the screw holes. One is at the top and one is at the bottom - supporting the drum with the belt you need to begin re-screwing the top screw, this will help hold the drum in place. Once secure you can then rescrew the bottom screw before refitting the heater.
Step 12 - The Heater Cover
With the heater fitted and in place, make sure that the rubber grommet which holds the cable is in position is in place along with ensuring that the cable is lying as flat to the appliance as possible. Once tucked away and in place you can then reattach your heater cover.
Step 13 - Belt Placement
With the wheels replaced, drum fitted and the heater cover secured to the appliance - we now need to look at reattaching the belt. Before you begin to fit the belt from the bottom, you first need to line it up - the drum should have a wear mark, this of course identifies the location of the original belt location - it is recommended to line up the belt slightly in front of the marking. This will help you get it onto the motor spindle.
With the belt in position will be able to simply stretch the belt over the motor spindle and in place. Now the belt should be in place around the spindle - you need to reattach the front drum support but ensure that the drum is in the correct position first.
To correctly fit the support, fit the two top hooks in place and then you can lift the drum slightly, this will help the drum get in position. With the support screwed back in place and the electrical connector at the bottom fitted you will then be able to attach the belt to the jockey wheels.
Step 14 - Securing the Drum
Once the top two hooks are in place, lift the drum to get the bottom in position, I you should now be able to reattach the four bolts and the electrical connector. If the wires are all loose, you can push them back into the holder. This is ensure that they are nice and neat and now we can begin to fit the belt to the jockey wheels.
Concentrating on one of the wheels (either right or left, there is no difference), simply push it away from you to loosen the tension to allow you to feed the belt around the pulley wheel. Once in place you can give the drum a spin and make sure the belt is aligned correctly.
Step 15 - Reassembly
With the jockey wheels now replaced, the drum refitted and the belt back in its correct position you can now start to reassemble the dryer. To begin assembling the pieces refit the fan make sure you don’t forget the washer which sits behind the fan and the fan housing cover.
With the fan in place you can then fit the front panels and the top of the appliance back in place. When fitting the front panel, remember to reattach the door lock electrical connections and to refit the door seal. We are almost done, just fit your control panel, and screw the top cover back in place and you’re all set.
And You’re Done
There you have it! Not the quickest or easiest of tasks however with the jockey wheels are fitted - not only have you saved money on not calling a repairman but you have also increased your own knowledge and DIY skills.
You should genuinely feel achieved as most would either throw in the towel before even starting the repair and pay an expensive call out fee to have someone else come to do it.
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