So, your Whirlpool Cabrio dryer won’t spin, leaves clothes soaking wet, or makes a thumping sound? Those are signs of a broken belt and, thus, the need for a Whirlpool Cabrio dryer belt replacement.
To replace a Whirlpool Cabrio dryer belt, unplug the dryer from the power, unscrew the lint filter, and remove the top and front parts. Then disconnect the lid switch’s loose wiring, detach the old belt, and slide in the new one before putting everything back.
Clearly, the dryer belt replacement project is something you can handle DIY, bypassing a dryer technician. But since it’s cost and time-involving, you may want to be sure that the belt is really faulty, and that’s why I’ll share with you the signs to look for.
More importantly, you want to get the right replacement belt and possibly prevent it from breaking. So, I’ll take you through the sizing guide and the issues that cause the belt to fail so that you can avoid the avoidable ones.
Let’s jump into it!
Why Change the Dryer Belt on a Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer?
Below are the signs to indicate that your dryer belt might be faulty or broken and therefore needs changing:
- The drum won’t turn – If your Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer won’t spin or the drum won’t turn, the issue could be a broken belt. Remember, the belt turns the pulley, which turns the drum, and if it’s faulty, the drum won’t turn.
- The dryer spins intermittently – Sometimes the dryer may turn, but in bits, sometimes it completes a cycle, and sometimes it won’t. If so, the issue could be the faulty dryer belt.
- The dryer stops mid-cycle (soaking-wet clothes) – Are you having an issue with the dryer not spinning the clothes dry? It’s likely because of a faulty dryer belt, especially if the dryer won’t restart.
- The dryer makes a knocking, banging, or loud thumping sound – If the dryer is producing any of those sounds, it’s highly likely that the belt is slipping off when the dryer is running. Such a belt could have been overstretched, thus faulty.
- The dryer won’t start – Lastly, sometimes the Whirlpool Cabrio dryer won’t start because of a faulty drive belt. So, consider that too.
Then what next?
Once you detect any of the above signs of a broken dryer drive belt, it may be wise to confirm the suspicion by disassembling the dryer and visually examining it.
We’ll talk about that during the replacement process. But before we do, let’s see why the dryer belt breaks.
Why Does the Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer Belt Break?
It’s typical to want to recognize what causes your dryer belt to break so you can avoid it after the replacement. Well, here are the most typical reasons why dryer belts fail:
- The wrong installation – If wrongly fitted into the dryer, the drive belt may develop cracks or cuts, which may cause it to break at some point. That’s why you should be gentle when installing the drive belt.
- Dryer overload – When the drum is overloaded, it stresses the dryer’s components, including the drive belt. Once stressed, the dryer belt becomes vulnerable to breaking. The issue is avoidable, however, by keeping the load size under 75% (3/4 full).
- Low-quality belt – You cannot expect a low-quality drive belt to last long. No! It’s likely to break at some point. That’s why you should only get a quality drive belt replacement.
- Wrong belt size – The drive belt is also likely to break if it is not the right size, especially if it’s small. That’s why selecting a Whirlpool Cabrio dryer belt replacement that fits the dryer is essential.
- Damaged felt seal – With the felt seal’s job being friction reduction and preventing the clothes from sticking between the door and drum, it may contribute to the belt’s breakage if it’s faulty. So, you ought to check and replace the felt seal if it’s defective.
- Obstructed blower wheel – If the dryer is making a squealing or vibrating sound, that could be an obstructed blower wheel stressing the belt. So, it’s essential to check the blower wheel when you hear such sounds and unblock it.
- Aging (natural wear) – Lastly, the dryer belt becomes weak, stretches, and breaks after years of usage. That may be after 10-20 years, depending on the belt’s quality and maintenance.
Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer Belt Replacement 6-Step Guide
Before replacing your Whirlpool Cabrio dryer’s drive belt, ensure you have these supplies:
- 5/16th nut screwdriver
- Philips screwdriver
- Putty knife
- Empty containers (for holding the loose screws)
Steps
Step 1 – Disconnect the dryer and create some clearance
Start by turning off the dryer and plug it out from the power source to prevent any electrocution. Then, slide the dryer out of the wall to create enough clearance to work on.
Step 2 – Unscrew the lint filter
Using the 5/16th nut screwdriver, loosen the lint filter and remove it
Step 3 – Remove the top and front part
Using the putty knife, pop up the dryer’s top part and put it aside to access its top inner part. Then unscrew the front panel and set it aside, just like the top part.
Step 4 – Loosen the lid switch’s wiring
Disconnect any loose lid switch wiring to create more room for accessing the drive belt. Now that you’ve access to the belt, you can quickly check to see if it’s broken, damaged, or loose. (joshflagg.com) All those are signs you should replace it.
Step 5 – Replace the old belt
Gently slide out the old belt from the drum and put it aside. But before you can slide in the replacement, vacuum the dryer inside (or use a soft cloth) to get rid of the dust.
Once you ascertain that the dryer’s inner parts, especially those adjacent to the belt, are clean, slide in the replacement drive belt just like the old one was.
Step 6 – Put everything back
Start by fitting back the lid switch’s wiring and then reattach the front and top panels of the dryer. Also, screw back the lint filter if it’s not filthy but if it is, replace it.
Then move the dryer back to its original position before connecting it to the power and turning it on.
Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer Belt Size
Remember, one of the reasons the drive belt break is that of wrong sizing. So, you must ensure you get the right replacement belt size when changing it.
Some people measure the old belt, but that’s not a smart move, given that dryer belt stretches when they age. So, you are more likely to buy an oversize drive belt.
You can, however, use the old belt to check the size number if it’s visible. If not, use your dryer model number to shop for the replacement belt.
You can also call the manufacturer and ask about the belt size but be ready to provide your dryer model number.
Alternatively, use the dryer’s drum capacity to determine its size, and that brings us to this dryer belt sing chart:
| Drum Capacity | Belt Size |
| 7.8 cubic-feet | 97.9” long |
| 7.4 cubic-feet | 93 ½“ long by ¼” wide or 92 ¼“ long by ¼“ |
| 7.2 cubic-feet | 89 ½“ long by ¼“ wide or 92” long by 5/16” wide |
| 7.0 cubic-feet | 92 ¼” or 92 ½” long by ¼“ wide |
| 5.9 cubic-feet | 93-93 ½” by ¼” |
| 4.2 cubic-feet | 76 1/10” long |
| 4.0 cubic-feet | 76-77 1/3” long |
Overall, the most popular belt sizes for Whirlpool models are size 93 ½“ by ¼” and size 89 ½“ by ¼. “ So, you may consider the two first.
Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer Drive Belt Replacement Cost
Let’s now talk about the cost of replacing the drive belt. How much to spend on the replacement?
Well, dryer drive belts aren’t expensive. You can get one for $10-$15, but if you want a quality option for your Whirlpool Cabrio, you may have to pay $30-$50.
So, that’s the only cost you’ll incur if you opt to replace the drive belt DIY. However, if you intend to hire a professional, you may incur an additional $50-$100, depending on what else needs checking.
The question is, is the replacement worth it? Should you replace the drive belt or get another dryer?
Well, a decent dryer costs you about $600-$1000. If you compare that with the cost of replacing the drive belt, the latter is evidently cheaper. So, unless your dryer has other issues other than a faulty drive belt, it’s cheaper to replace the drive belt.
People Also Ask
1. How Do You Change a Belt On a Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer?
Changing a belt on a Whirlpool Cabrio dryer starts with unplugging the dryer from the power and moving it out of the wall. Then, you’ve to remove the lint filter, the top part, the front panel, and the lid switch wiring in the same order to access the old belt.
Once you access the faulty belt, slide it out of the drum, clean the surroundings and slide the replacement belt in before reassembling everything.
2. Is It Worth Replacing Dryer Belt?
If the belt is causing issues in your dryer, such as spinning problems and weird noises or preventing the dryer from starting, it’s worth replacing it. The replacement will cost you under $50 DIY and up to $100 if you hire a professional.
However, if the dryer has more issues and is not just a bad drive belt (or is prone to breaking down often), replacing the drive belt may not be worth it. Sometimes, getting a new clothes dryer (View on Amazon) makes more sense.
3. How Much to Replace a Belt On a Whirlpool Dryer?
DIY replacement of the Whirlpool Cabrio dryer costs under $50, but professional service may cost you about $100 or up to $200 if there are other issues. Overall, it’s cost-saving to replace the drive belt yourself.
Did the original poster ever find a solution to their problem?
The original poster, Wdr78, stated that they did find a solution to their problem. They mentioned circling the problem in the first picture numerous times as evidence of their actions.
Is the belt riding on the correct section of the drum?
To determine if the belt is riding on the correct section of the drum, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, you should check if there are any alignment marks on the drum that indicate the previous position of the belt. These marks can provide guidance on the proper placement of the belt.
Additionally, pay attention to the position of the belt in relation to the tapered section of the drum. If the belt is positioned too far to the rear where the drum tapers, it may cause the belt to behave as if it is larger. This displacement can lead to issues with the belt’s functionality and performance.
Proper alignment of the belt with the drum is crucial for optimal functioning. By ensuring that the belt is situated correctly on the drum, you can avoid any potential complications that may arise from misalignment.
Closing Remarks On the Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer Belt Replacement:
Above is everything to know about replacing the Whirlpool Cabrio dryer drive belt. It starts with ascertaining that the dryer is faulty and then changing it.
As seen, the replacement process is DIY, which means you are likely to save at least $50, which you could have paid a dryer technician. So, go DIY if you are handy!