So, your Maytag Centennial dryer won’t start, spins intermittently, or leaves the clothes wet? Then perhaps it’s time to check the drive belt and consider a Maytag Centennial dryer belt replacement if it’s broken.
To replace a Maytag Centennial dryer belt, disconnect the dryer from the power and slide it out of the wall. Then remove the dryer’s lint screen, top panel, electrical wiring, and front panel in the same order. And lastly, take out the old belt and fit the replacement.
I’ll share these steps later to enable you to replace your dryer drive belt DIY. But first, we’ll look at how the dryer belt works, why it’s important, the signs you need to replace it, and the cost of doing it.
So, let’s jump into it!
How Does the Maytag Centennial Dryer Belt Work?
The dryer belt, sometimes known as the drive belt, goes around the dryer’s outer drum and idler pulley and loops into a motor-driven drive pulley system.
So, whenever the motor turns, the idler pulley applies sufficient tension to the drive belt enabling it to turn and spin the drum.
Over time, however, the drive belt starts to crack, loosen up, and may even break, preventing the drum from turning. If the drum doesn’t turn, the dryer won’t work. It might not start, and if it does, it’ll leave the clothes wet, run intermittently or become noisy.
Why Is the Maytag Centennial Dryer Important?
As explained above, the drive belt’s job is to turn the dryer drum. Once that’s the case, the drum enables the clothes to tumble and eventually dry.
Sometimes the drive belt determines whether the dryer will turn on and complete a cycle. If it’s broken, the chances are that the dryer won’t turn on, and if it does start, then it won’t complete the cycle, and clothes will therefore remain wet.
That’s a significant reason to contemplate a Maytag Centennial dryer belt replacement.
Signs You Should Replace Maytag Centennial Dryer Belt
Several signs will tell you to inspect your dryer drive belt and replace it. They include the following:
a) The dryer won’t start
A Maytag Centennial dryer won’t start for different reasons, but you can’t rule out a broken drive belt. Once the dryer senses the drive belt is damaged, it won’t start.
Remember, the drive belt turns the drum and motor-driven pulley system. If it’s broken, that won’t happen; the motor won’t run, the pulley won’t move the drum, and the dryer won’t turn on.
However, note that sometimes the dryer won’t start, not because the drive belt is broken but because it’s loose and unable to rotate the drum. So, you’ve to inspect it to identify the real problem.
b) The drum won’t rotate
The drive belt’s job is to rotate the drum. So, if the Centennial dryer drum isn’t spinning and the clothes aren’t tumbling, it’s highly likely that the drive belt is faulty.
c) The dryer stops mid-cycle (and leaves clothes wet)
Sometimes the Maytag Centennial dryer doesn’t get all the water out of the clothes. A faulty drive belt could be the cause.
Of course, the easiest way to tell that other than inspecting the drive belt is to examine the drum. If the drum stops turning before the completion of a drying cycle, the drive belt is likely defective.
Overall, there are two most probable explanations for a dryer that stops mid-cycle; a malfunctioning moisture sensor or a defective belt.
If the moisture sensor is the fault, the dryer will stop running prematurely, but you can always restart it. However, you cannot restart it as soon as it turns off. If so, the problem is likely to be the drive belt which is faulty and unable to engage the motor.
You, however, cannot rule out the possibility of an overheated motor. The dryer could shut itself down when the motor overheats to protect itself.
That’s likely to happen if the lint filter is dirt clogged. So, you may need to inspect it as well.
d) The dryer spins intermittently
You expect the drum to spin in complete cycles and not in bits. If it rotates intermittently, the chances are that the drive belt is faulty and needs a replacement.
This problem is widespread when the drive belt is stretched, mostly from wearing out. A stretched drive belt cannot make enough contact or grip with the drum and produce a smooth spin.
As a result, the drum sometimes spins appropriately, and other times, it stops spinning. Remember, the drive belt rotates both ways, and without sufficient grip, that’s unlikely to be the case.
Note, however, that sometimes an irregular spin cycle suggests an issue with the pulley system, drum rollers, or motor. So, it’s not always about the drive belt, and that’s why you’ve to check it to rule it out. And while at it, check the other components too.
e) The belt is noisy (the dryer makes a loud thumping/banging noise)
A damaged drive belt will always try to sound its frustration. One way it does this is by becoming noisy. It produces a loud bang/thump when rotating.
Once you notice any of the above signs, check out your dryer’s drive belt. The belt could be broken, loose, or cracked and needs a Maytag Centennial drive belt replacement.
While it’s easy to mistake the loud banging or thumping sound from a fallen heavy item, you cannot overlook the belt, especially if the noise is repetitive.
The drive belt makes such a sound when it slips off the drive pulley and drum. That’s likely to be the case when it starts wearing out. If you don’t replace the belt at this stage, it’ll eventually break and prevent your dryer from running.
Cost of A Maytag Centennial Dryer Belt Replacement
The cost of replacing a Maytag Centennial dryer belt depends on the part number, belt size, and whether the replacement is DIY.
For example, a DIY belt replacement will cost $26 – $105, depending on the part number and belt size. Nonetheless, you can expect to spend up to $200 on a professional service.
But as you’ll learn next, you can replace your dryer’s drive belt, saving you from paying a professional.
How to Replace Maytag Centennial Dryer Belt?
Generally, you’ll need these supplies to replace a Maytag centennial dryer belt:
New drive belt (Amazon) or Maytag
Philips screwdriver
Flat head screwdriver
Putty knife
Work gloves
Camera (your smartphone can do the job)
Once you have the requirements, follow these steps to remove and replace the old dryer belt.
Step 1 (Disconnect the dryer from the power)
Consider turning off your dryer and then unplugging it. That protects you from electrocution.
Step 2 (Pull the dryer out of the wall)
To create enough work clearance, move the dryer away from the wall. You need all the room you can get to inspect the drive belt and change it.
Step 3 (Unscrew the dryer’s lint screen)
Using the appropriate screwdriver, loosen the lint screen from its position and take it out. Set it aside away from dust and dirt for later installation. You can also take the opportunity to clean the lint screen.
Step 4 (Pop out the dryer top panel)
Using a putty knife, pop out the top part of the centennial dryer and remove it. That allows you to quickly examine the drive belt before removing it. If you cannot see the drive belt, the chances are that it’s broken or loose and lying at the base.
Step 5 (Disconnect electrical wiring)
Now that you suspect the dryer belt to be faulty, detach any electrical wire hookups to avoid damaging them. You can take a quick photo of the wiring before unhooking them to help you put everything back correctly after the belt replacement.
Step 6 (Detach the front panel)
To access the drive belt, you must take down the front panel. Use the appropriate screwdriver to unscrew it, then remove and set it aside.
Step 7 (Remove the old drive belt)
Now that the front panel is out of the way and you have access to the drive belt, gently remove it from the drum and pulley system. If you can’t pull it out, but it’s broken, cut it loose and try pulling it out.
Step 8 (Install the new drive belt)
Slide in the replacement drive belt and ensure it wraps properly around the drum and pulley system.
Step 9 (Put everything back)
Lastly, reconnect the electrical wiring, screw back the front panel and reinstall the top panel. Then push it to the wall, plug it back, and turn it on.
People Also Ask
1. Why Replace Maytag Centennial Dryer Belt Size?
Maytag dryer belts come in different sizes to match different dryer models and types. If you get the size wrong, it may not fit on the dryers and will thus not work.
2. How Do I Know What Size My Dryer Belt Is?
The easiest way to know the size of your dryer belt is to note the part number of your old belt and get the exact replacement. You’ll get the part number printed on the drive belt.
3. How Much to Replace a Belt On a Maytag Dryer?
It’s cheaper to replace a Maytag dryer belt yourself than hire a professional. A DIY replacement will cost you $26 – $105, depending on the Maytag dryer model, while a professional installation may cost you up to $200.
Any suggestions on stretching the belt around the idler and motor pulleys?
To easily stretch the belt around the idler and motor pulleys, you can utilize the tensioner spring on the idler pulley. Firstly, locate the idler pulley and identify the tensioner spring attached to it. Gently bend back the idler pulley, creating enough slack in the belt to fit it around the motor pulley. Ensure that the ribbed side of the belt is placed on the motor pulley, as this will aid in proper grip and functionality. Once the ribbed side is securely placed on the motor pulley, guide the flat side of the belt onto the idler pulley. By bending the idler pulley back and manipulating the tensioner spring, you will find it considerably easier to stretch the belt around both pulleys accurately.
Closing Remarks On the Maytag Centennial Dryer Belt Replacement:
Shared are the nine steps for replacing your Maytag Centennial dryer belt DIY. You don’t need an expert; you can do everything from the belt inspection to the replacement.
However, the dryer troubleshooting starts with identifying the signs, which include when the dryer won’t start, stops mid-cycle, runs intermittently, won’t rotate, or is deafeningly noisy.