Wednesday Weekly Stock: Dryer Elements

Every week at W.L. May we have several items we feature as good parts to consider adding to your stock. These parts also have special pricing available. For pricing details, ask your account representative for more information. This week we look at a variety of dryer elements.

The element in a clothes dryer gets lots of wear and tear. They go from room temperature, to red hot back, to room temperature, every time a load is done. The result is the element eventually will fail. Often this happens sooner than other parts on the appliance. When that happens, a call to W.L. May will get you help in finding a replacement.

Y303404

There a variety of elements that are used on clothes dryers. Often they cane be a restring coil, other times it is a complete assembly "complete with the can". A common Maytag dryer assembly uses a tube type of can. The part number is Y303404.

WE11X103

WE11M232

GE dryers have a different style of "in the can" element assemblies. Rather than fitting the elements into a tube, like the Maytag, GE has an assembly that sort of resembles a trash can lid. It fits behind the drum and can be replaced as an assembly or can be restrung. It is generally a bit easier to restring than a tube style of element assembly.

This week we feature two common assembly sizes, Parts WE11X103 & WE11M23. They are very similar. If you need help, call us with a model number and we'll help you sort it out.

WE11X203

WE11X10007

As I mentioned, GE makes restringing the element an easy option. In addition to complete elements we stock their restring kits. For the WE11M23 element, your restring kit is part number WE11X10007. It gives you a restring coil and the needed element insulators.

For the WE11X103 element, the restring element is part WE11X203. This restring kit DOES NOT come with insulators. If the insulators in your WE11X103 element are in need of repair, unfortunately the restring kit will not work for you. In that case, replace the whole element assembly.

279838

Whirlpool does not sell their dryer elements "in the can" and they don't use a restring kit either. Instead, their models have a sub-assembly that then is mounted into the element can. For many years, it was simple. All the Whirlpool dryers used the same element. This made identifying a replacement easy. Things aren't so simple theses days.

The old Whirlpool dryers elements featured coils wrapped onto a wire frame. The first variation Whirlpool introduced was fairly different  in that instead of a wire frame, this element comes mounted on a metal plate. The part number for this element is 279838.

3387747

More recently, Whirlpool introduced another element that is in wide circulation. Also mounted on a plate, the 3387747 element is threaded in a sort of figure-8 like pattern that makes it fairly distinctive.

5300622032 & 5300622034

To complete a circuit of the "big three" appliance makers, we need to include dryer elements from Electrolux. We have 2 of them featured this week. These are restring coils for Electrolux dryers with rear of drum element cans. The part 5300622032 is a 3/16" coil and the 5300622034 is a slightly thicker 1/4".

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Wednesday Weekly Stock: Washer and Dryer Maintenance

Every week at W.L. may we have several items we feature as good parts to consider adding to your stock. These parts also have special pricing available. For pricing details, ask your account representative for more information. This week we send the kids back to school and get started on some washer and dryer maintenance.

20752

This blog advocates using hoses with a stainless steel mesh wrap to avoid burst hoses and laundry room flooding. There are also hoses inside the machine. These do not usually have a wrapped version available. Due to lower water pressures involved, these hoses are not prone to bursting. Still, things happen, so it is wise to stay prepared.

A leak in the interior of you washer could cause a pool to collect, unseen under under the machine. This can lead to damage to your home. An easy preventative solution for that scenario is the use of a washing machine drip pan. Camco's part number 20752 is a 30"x32" pan that can be placed under most washing machines.

This drip pan can not only be used to contain any water spillage, but it also has "blank out" holes of 1-1 1/2" side or bottom outlet and a fitting allowing this pan to be connected to already existing floor drains if the laundry room has them. Being a made of white polypropylene plastic, it will not rust, corrode or crack.

VA1

While we are under the washing machine we can also address an issue that many front load washer users experience. Due the high speeds involved in running a High Efficiency Washing Machine intense vibrations have been known to occur. Stable flooring and a well balanced machine can do a lot to minimize that problem. Even after balancing, some machines still vibrate excessively and on occasion the machine actually shimmies across the floor.

A solution is offered for this problem with the Vibe Away pads, part VA1. These are basically foam pads that fit under the legs of the washing machine that act as a damper, absorbing the excessive vibrations.

70143

Here is another simple solution to a problem that is not uncommon. In many water supplies, small debris can get into the pipes. When that debris gets into the valve, it can cause problems. If you know you have a water supply that is less than pristine, don't wait for the problems to come up. Be proactive and catch that debris where the inlet hose hooks up, by using Laloo/EZFlow screened hose washers. We stock part 70143, which has a 20x20 mesh and comes in a package of 100, making it a great item to keep in truck stock.

4392065

Jumping over to the other appliance in the laundry room, we have some dryer maintenance kits for you to consider. Any of these kits make a great truck stock item. Our first is from Whirlpool for 29" dryers. Part 4392065 comes with support wheels (349241T), idler pulley (691366) and belt (341241).

4392067

Another dryer kit is for Whirlpool 27" models manufactured since 1965, and Twin Thin models. The kit, number 4392067 includes a belt (661570), 4 support rollers  (8536974), an idler pulley (279640), washer (233520) and 9 tri-rings for the rollers(90997).

5304457724

Frigidaire, or Electrolux, also has a few kits for dryer maintenance. Newer dryers from 2002-present use kit number 5304457724. This kit includes a drive belt (134503600), rear drum bearing kit (5303281153),  idler pulley/bracket assy (131863000), front drum support/seal (5303937182), lower front felt seal (5303937183), high temp adhesive, the high temp grease, and photo instructions.

5304461262

For older dryers, Frigidaire has not forgotten about you. Machines built before 2002 camn generally use kit number 5304461262. This kit includes a drive belt (134503600), rear drum bearing kit (5303281153), idler pulley/bracket assy (131863007),  upper felt (5303937139), and lower felt (5303283286).

DVC101

No matter what brand of dryer you have, we cannot urge you strongly enough to keep those ducts as clean as possible, Duct fires are a very real thing and we do not want it to happen to anyone-especially people that we could have warned! There are a variety of solutions to duct cleaning, but the best bang for your buck that we have found is the LintEater vent cleaning system.

The kit, part DVC101 includes four 36 inch long flexible rods, self-feeding 4 inch diameter auger brush, blockage removal tool, 2 1/2 inch diameter lint trap brush, vacuum adapter, dryer adapter, operator's manual with detailed instructions, illustrations and tips for dryer safety and maintenance.

TB123A

The last featured item this week is not a maintenance kit of any type. It is a tool that any repair person should have, yet few know the part to ask for. TB123A is the spanner wrench used to remove the tub nut on many Whirlpool, Maytag, and GE washing machines. If you are doing maintenance and find other needed parts (such as cosmetic or trim pieces), call us with your model number and we will be happy to help get you what you need.

Thursday Tweets: Dryers and Ducting

While looking through our Twitter feed we found these tweets to share with you.

The first tweet we found is also a reason for a lot of the calls for service on dryers.

When you're drying for over 2 hours and your items are not dried yet. Wth dryer?! #youhaveonejob #dryer

— Ruby Chavez (@rubychz51) August 2, 2015

Naturally, it is easy to blame the socks. After all they go AWOL so easily. But they probably are not REALLY the problem.

The real reason your #dryer is broken pic.twitter.com/7nxrMBYV5H

— Westside Appliance (@westsidedsm) July 31, 2015

Not cleaning the ducting? There is a good chance that has something to do with the machine not working correctly.

The air duct to our dryer had been clogged since 1980 & we discovered some vintage child stickers in the process.

— Halley Filipski Bell (@HalleySuzy) July 29, 2015

Sure, it's a chore. That comes with the territory if you want to take care of your home and your appliances.

House repairs today. Replaced persnickety dryer duct and leaking faucet in the bathroom. Problems never end as a homeowner, it appears.

— Adam Blount (@sneakysqueaky86) July 24, 2015

Of course, you could give up using a dryer and use a clothesline. When it rains, though, clotheslines have their own issues.

Clothes Dryer Jugaad Like A Boss http://t.co/zvFv7qti4y #Clos #Dryer pic.twitter.com/jtqS15pH9E

— Likable (@Likebles) July 23, 2015

So take care of your dryer and keep it working well. To close us out, here is a tip.

Keep your #dryer on good working condition by following #TodaysTip! pic.twitter.com/bxE7Rb5HNA

— Tower Hill Insurance (@towerhillins) July 23, 2015

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Kelly's Korner - For The Birds

Hey, All,

Not all dryer vent clogs are caused by not cleaning them regularly.  Those open vents for your dryer are a prime place for birds to build nests.

Creative Commons license on image.

Think about it - these vents are usually placed high enough that marauders can't get in them.  And they are pretty protected from the elements with a nice warm stream of air to keep those little chickies warm.  Perfect place to raise a family, right?

For them, yes - for you, not so much.  So how do you keep your feathered friends out of your vents?  Contrary to popular belief, birds are not birdbrained.  They are very clever and can figure out a lot of ways to get into what they're not supposed to, but W L May has a couple of different products to help you with that.

PB50

One is a bird guard wall cap - part number PB50.  This will fit nicely over your 4" vents.  Inside dimensions are 7" x 7" so it will fit over larger venting, too.  And all you need to do is screw it to the wall.

PMH4WXZ

Another item is PMH4WXZ in white, or the PMH4BXZ in brown.  This does the same job as the bird guard but has a 4" rigid aluminum vent tube to go through your wall.


These two products will deter the birds from making your home theirs, and keep them in the trees where they belong.  It is a good idea to check your whole exterior for any other vents (or unauthorized openings) you have - range hood, bath fan, attic vents, and even your gutters.  Don't forget to check for the four-footed varmits, too.  Your attic makes a great place for squirrels to hide their winter stash of nuts and they will chew through wood and plastic to get where they want.  Get rid of these freeloaders (I just wished they worked for grown children still living at home lol!).

Have a great week!

Wednesday Weekly Stock: Clothes Dryers

Every week at W.L. May we have several items we feature as good parts to consider adding to your stock. These parts also have special pricing available. For pricing details, ask your account representative for more information. This week we look into the world of clothes dryers.

Y055980

The first part from this week's featured parts isn't really a part at all. Instead it used to attach parts. Our first item is a high temperature adhesive from Maytag that is used to glue felt seals found on many dryers into place. We stock it under the manufacturers part number of Y055980.

LH4WXZ

Another item that isn't really a part in the machine is this outlet duct. Here are a few features of the 4 inch ProVent outlet duct that we stock. Recently the louvers on the outer wall faceplate have been re-engineered to prevent stocking. The faceplate also has a groove on the back to allow for cleaner caulking than older designs had. That same faceplate comes in white, but can also be painted to match existing decor. Ask for part #LH4WXZ.

W10169313

When the machine stops working, that's when the repairman gets called. A simple cause for a not working dryer could be a door switch. A switch stuck on open will not complete the circuit. Luckily that switch is usually readily available. Both 2 and 3 terminal switchs are frequently replaced by this one, part W10169313.

33001003

Another type of part we get regular calls for are dryer lint filters. They are relatively easy to damage and sometimes (especially in households with kids) they just disappear. For many years the Whirlpool style lint filter was accessed from the top of the machine where it inserted into a channel behind the drum. On newer models, the lint filter is usually found at the front of the drum just inside the door. On Whirlpools and their related brands (think Maytag), usually that filter is part 33001003.

Y54414

The next part we are looking at today has a bit of history to it. The part itself is the idler pulley found on  Speed Queen dryers. Speed Queen was a part of Amana at one time, Well, Amana became part of Maytag. Maytag decided to use some of those designs on Magic Chef products and Maytag became a part of Whirlpool. So that means that this idler pulley can be found on Speed Queen, Amana, Magic Chef, Maytag and Whirlpool dryers. Naturally we always keep on hand this part, number Y54414.

We have other dryer parts being featured this week in addition to those just mentioned. For more details just ask your account manager about this weeks special dryer parts.

Wednesday Weekly Stock: Dryer Kits, Venting, and Cords

Every week at W.L. may we have several items we feature as good parts to consider adding to your stock. These parts also have special pricing available. For pricing details, ask your account representative for more information. This week we return to the laundry room to look at a few things for dryers.

A clothes dryer is traditionally pretty simple technology. As a result, many dryers can keep working for years. After many years of use some of the softer and more involved with friction parts naturally will wear.

A dryer maintenance kit will offer several of those "high wea' items in one convenient package. The idea is, if you are in fixing one of the items in the kit, likely the other items included in the kit will also be showing signs of wear. It only makes sense to replace all of those parts while you are inside the machine making your repair.

Dryer maintenance kits offer a convenient grouping of related parts, which make the a great choice for the do-it-yourself crowd. It is usually true that the kits a re less expensive than buying the parts included individually. From a marketing perspective, maintenance kits can also help persuade consumers to allow full maintenance servicing (which, as we already mentioned, is probably a good idea anyway), when the initial call may have been for only one of the parts in the kit.

4392065

Whirlpool, for years, has offered a few dryer maintenance kits, depending on the size of the dryer being serviced. For 29" dryers built after 2007 the kit is part number 4392065. The kit includes a belt, idler pulley and a pair of support rollers with clips. You also get instructions which if you are professional repair person you probably will not need.

4392067

On smaller 27" Whirlpool dryers made after 2007 a different kit is used. Like the kit for the 29" units, this comes with a belt. Differences include 4 instead of 2 support rollers. Also the idler is pulley only. No idler arm included. The part number for this kit 4392067.

5304461262

Electrolux also provides maintenance kits for it's dryers. The Frigaidaire (and related brands) dryers produced from 1992-2001 use kit number 5304461262. Included in the kit is a rear drum bearing kit. The kit also provides new upper and lower felts for the front of the drum. To round out the kit a belt, idler pulley, high temp advesive, lubricant and instructions are included as well.

5304457724

Design changes on the 2002 Frigidaire dryers prompted changes to the kit. For models 2002-present, the kit to use is part number 5304457724. This has the newer style of front bearing as well as the lower front felt, rear drum bearing kit, idler pulley, belt, adhesive, lubricant, and instructions.

DVC202

The kits we have been looking at so far have to do with maintaining the mechanics of the dryer. For a dryer to work properly, however, not only do the mechanics have to be in order but you need good air flow. 

Air flow can be impeded by lint build up in the vent hose. Not only will this cause your dryer to perform poorly, but it can also present a very real fire hazard. In fact, lint build up is the number one cause of dryer fires and dryer fires themselves are one of the most common causes for home fires.

To reduce the risk of fire, it is recommended that you clean your dryer vent lines periodically. Many service companies offer this service. W.L. May Company stocks a kit that make those service calls easier and also is consumer friendly. 

Linteater is the name of the product and its part number is DVC202. Included in the kit are 2 line clearing brushes in 2 1/2" and 4" sizes. You get 4 36" flexible rods to connect to those brushes on one side and your cordless drill on the other. Also in the kit is a blockage removal tool, adapters for both a vacuum and the dryer and instructions on how to make it all work. This really is a great product.

E4E

Installing a dryer sometimes requires more than elbow grease. Sometimes it requires an actual elbow-for the vent line. When that happens the E4E comes into play. This is a 4" hard pipe elbow for dryer vent lines.

CS400

Working with the ducting also may require some duct hose clamps. We stock both worm screw and pinch types of clamps. The pinch clamps are part number CS400. These can be purchased individually, but for stock you might consider getting a bundle of 50, that's how they come from the manufacturer.

WX09X10002

The lastitems we are looking at, but far from least important, is power cords, or pigtails. For a 4 foot 3 wire 30amp the pigtail part number is WX09X10002.

WX09X10018

In some jurisdictions, building codes require using a 4 wire power cord. The 4 foot 4 wire 30 amp cord is in stock under part number WX09X10018.

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Friday Morning Videos: Hybrid Heat Pump Dryer

Whirlpools Hybrid Heat Pump Dryer has hit the streets. Technical training is being held across the country. For those of you who have yet to come across one of these, you are in for a surprise. These dryers work very differently than traditional dryers. Whirlpool has a introductory video talking about the tech. It's worth a watch if you are not already familiar with these new dryers. Here it is...

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Weekly Wednesday Stock Ideas: Dryers

Every week at W.L. may we have several items we feature as good parts to consider adding to your stock. These parts also have special pricing available. For pricing details, ask your account representative for more information.

Last week we focused on the dishwasher. This week we will take a look at some of the pieces on a dryer. Some of these parts are used strictly on gas dryers, some on electric, and some on both.

279320

On an electric dryer, if you don't have power, you've got nothing. On a gas dryer, you also need power. The terminal block for Whirlpool dryers is a fairly frequent request. Many of the terminal blocks used over the years substitute to this common part, 279320.

WE4X197

Once there is power reaching the dryer, that power needs to make a circuit for the dryer to operate. For safety reasons, a door switch is part of completing that circuit. A common GE dryer door switch on both gas and electric models is WE4X197.

131560100

The biggest need for electricity on a gas dryer is the motor. It goes without saying electric dryers are powered by motors too. A very common motor for both gas and electric dryers in all of the Electrolux brands is the 131560100.

5303937186

The next part we are considering is only used on gas dryers. All gas dryers need to ignite the gas and Frigidaire's 5303937186 is a popular style that fits in whole lot of models (some of them even from other makers).

8577274

The last electrical piece we are looking at today is also used on both gas and electric dryers. A thermistor is a temperature sensor. This one, 8577274, is located on the blower wheel housing on a number of Whirlpool brands dyers.

697772

While we are in the neighborhood of the blower wheel, lets jump over to the Whirlpool brands and consider their blower wheel that is widely used across the Whirlpool brand. It is part number 697772 and if you service a lot of Whirlpool dryers it would make a nice addition to your inventory.

WE25M40

One of the reasons we get calls for blower wheels is wear and tear on the blower wheel's bearing eventually causing a failure. Bearings for the main tumbling drum also wear with time. Most GE models have a rear bearing that can be readily replaced with the WE25M40.

37001298

At the front of the dryer drum, many makers have some sort of support glide arrangement. This week we are featuring a glide that was used on many Amana dryers, 37001298.

WE12X83

A frequent complaint with a bad bearing, whether it be on a blower wheel, a drum or a glide is a shrieking squeaky noise. Another source of squealing might be a belt rubbing of a siezed idler pulley. A popular GE idler pulley that is used on almost 400 models is the last item we are featuring this week with a part number WE12X83. 

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3 Dryer Makers and 6 Service Kits

A clothes dryer is probably the simplest of the major appliances. There are a limited number of moving parts, they are easy for the lay person to understand, and for the most part the same designs have stayed in place for years. Since a clothes dryer is so simple it can also be one of the easier things to service. As a pro repair person, its probably a job you love. The easy diagnostics and and easy servicing make it appealing, it also makes it the kind of project a do-it-yourselfer might try to tackle.

If you are looking to do one of these repairs, or if you are helping out a DIY person with parts, it makes sense to change out all the parts that are also likely to be wearing out when you do the repair. Luckily, most manufacturers offer kits that include all the parts that have a tendency to wear out. Usually, the kits cost less than buying the individual parts.

Here are maintenance kits for the three largest American appliance makers.

Whirlpool

• 4392065-Used on most 27" dryers. Contains  multi-rib belt (part 341241), drum support roller kit (part 349241T), idler pulley (part 691366), and installation instructions.
• 4392067-Used on some 27" dryers (frequently commercial machines). Contains multi-rib belt (part 661570), 4 support rollers (part 3396802), idler assembly (part 3388672), and installation instructions. 
• 4392068-Used on 24" dryers. Contains multi-rib belt (part 3394652) drum support roller kit (part 349241), idler pulley (part 691366) and installation instructions.

Electrolux

• 5304457724-"New Style" for machine from 2002-Present. Contains drive belt (part 134503600), rear bearing kit (part 5303281153), idler pulley/bracket assembly (part 131863000), upper front felt seal (part 5303937182), lower front felt seal (part 5303937183)
• 5304461262-"Old Style" for machine prior to 2002.  Contains 88" drum belt (part 134503600), bearing kit (part 5303281153), idler pulley (part 131863007), upper front felt seal (part 5303937139), and lower front felt seal (part 5303283286), needed adhesive and grease.

General Electric

• WE49X20697-Contains belt (part WE12M29), top bearing (part WE3M26), two white glides (part WE1M504), two green glides (part WE1M1067), and lower felt seal (part WE9M30)

The next time you are servicing a dryer, remember these kits. They can frequently save time by preventing further problems before they occur and by simplifying the parts ordering process. They can also save you money over the cost of buying the parts individually. Consider adding at least one of each kit to your inventory and remember to offer the kit to people doing their own service. Odds are that when they open the machine they will realize other areas that need maintenance as well and you will be the hero with foresight. Have a great day and happy repairing!

6 Top Selling Electrolux Dryer Parts

One of our more common questions we get asked at W.L. May Company is "what items are popular sellers?" When clients ask that question it is because they would like to stock those items to be ready for any eventuality. It can be difficult to recommend a standard stock list that would be the same for every client. Many factors can change the needed stock for a given company. Such things as the climate, gas and electrical infrastructure in the community, energy rates, and income levels and local dealers all can have a bearing on what is needed to fill a well stocked service vehicle or parts department. Because of all the different things that can change stocking needs, I can't exactly offer you a complete list that would work for every company. Some parts, however are universally common and generally our best sellers. Today we crack open the books and share with you six of our top Electrolux dryer parts. In the future we will revisit this subject for some other top sellers in other categories. These parts are not "must stock" items (after all it IS a free country, you can stock what you want), but they are "strongly encouraged" items that should help increase your first call completes, add-on sales, and ultimately make you more efficient and profitable as a service or parts company.

• 5303281153-Rear Bearing Kit-Often called the "Trailer Hitch" bearing, because it looks like the ball and socket you might see on a boat trailer hitch. It is a long running part that was a bread-and-butter stockable part when I entered the appliance trade 22 years ago.

5303281153

• 5303937139-Front Felt/Glide Assembly-Commonly used upper felt seal for dryer drum. Comes with glides mounted to the felt and adhesive needed for install.

5303937139

• 5300622032-Dryer Element Restring Coil-This is a coil that is used to restring the element on Frigidaire dryers prior to 1996 that use the large heater that mounts behind the drum. It has 1/4" terminals and is 18 inches long. This coil is sent without a terminal block or insulators. If those are needed, you would need to replace the entire element assembly. 

5300622032

• 131825900-Rear Bearing-This is the receiver part of the 5303281153 rear bearing assembly described above.

131825900

• 134503600-Drum Belt-This is  87 3/4 inch belt used on many newer Frigidaire made dryers.

134503600

• 5300622034-Dryer Element Restring Coil-Very similar to 5300622032, this is a coil that is used to restring the element on Frigidaire dryers after 1996 that use the large heater that mounts behind the drum. It has 5/16" terminals and is 18 inches long. This coil is sent without a terminal block or insulators. If those are needed, you would need to replace the entire element assembly

5300622034

We hope you find this list helpful in determining your stock needs, Watch for future posts when we discuss other brands and product types. Happy Servicing!

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