Whirlpool W11035878 Dryer Front Panel Felt Seal OEM Part

Our 19 year old Whirlpool dryer quit heating. After checking the thermal fuse, I found the ignitor electrically open. I bought an ignitor at a local store as there was a national holiday the next day and I did not want the dryer inoperative waiting several days for shipping. I can say AppliancePartsPros is MUCH cheaper for the identical Whirlpool genuine part. While changing the ignitor, I noticed there was an excessive amount of lint in the dryer, which was caused by worn drum seals. I ordered drum seals, a new drive belt, the foam seals for the exhaust duct and new nylon drum bearing set. These were delivered promptly, but unfortunately the 2-piece nylon drum bearing set had only 1 piece. I went on line, used the chat function and was promptly taken care of. The new part arrived fairly quickly, was correct and I installed it. The most difficult part of the project was the rear drum seal which must be glued to the drum. I removed the old seal and sanded off the dried glue. I then set the drum up on a work table, blocked from rolling off with 2x4s, so I could rotate it in place. The new seal needs to be stretched to make it around the drum circumference, so I used small wood clamps to hold it in place around the drum. I then pushed back the fabric, applied a small bead of glue to the drum surface, gave it about a minute to air dry, then repositioned the seal. I worked my way around the drum, rotating it on my work table. The seal installed nicely. Pay attention when you position the drum during final assembly so that the rear support rollers are in place and the seal correctly circles the stationary back wall for the drum. You can check the seal for folding bouth outside and inside. 2 people are advised for this step. One last note, the installation of the drive belt is little tricky, so photograph the belt path through the tensioner and motor drive pulley before you remove the old belt.

Flip up top, removed front panel, take belt loose and removed drum. replaced both rollers, replaced felt seal rings on both of drum, reset drum in unit, install new belt, reassemble.

Replaced dryer belt rollers and shafts. Also the fan and airflow gaskets. Had one problem the bottom front panel holder broke due to age also belt tension pulley.

The first thing I did was to watch the AppliancePartsPros video on how to replace a dryer belt, because my initial thought was that the belt broke. But when I opened up the dryer, the belt was intact and the felt thing that I later discovered (through another AppliancePartsPros video) was a Front Bearing and Felt Seal. It had come loose and must have jammed against the dryer drum and caused the dryer to stop. I bought the part from AppliancePartsPros and it arrived the next day even though I paid regular shipping. I was amazed! So, I replaced the part (with the help of the video) and when I started the dryer again it was squeaking like crazy. It would dry a while and then quit. Then after sitting a while I could restart it, but it would quit after a short time. The squeaking was coming from the dryer motor, and I guessed that when the bearing jammed it might have caused the motor to overheat and become damaged. I wasn't sure at all about this, but I decided to try it. I ordered a new motor from AppliancePartsPros and watched the video on replacing it. This one scared me because I have no experience with motors or anything. I got the part, very quickly again, and installed it. The dryer now runs quietly again and makes it all the way through the cycle. I think I fixed it! (Crossing my fingers...)

I replaced all the parts related to the rotation of the drum with the exception of the motor .