How to Replace the Drum Rollers & Idler on a Whirlpool WED4950HW Dryer, Step by Step Instructions
Step by step instructions for the Whirlpool WED4950HW (electric dryer, 7.0 cu ft, wrinkle shield). Parts and access points can differ a little by production year. The steps below cover the common layout for this platform, and the model notes flag its quirks.
You can replace dryer drum rollers & idler pulley on a Whirlpool WED4950HW yourself in 1 to 1.5 hours. Difficulty is moderate. A pro charges $120 to $250.
- 5 steps, 1 to 1.5 hours, moderate difficulty.
- Tools you need are putty knife, nut driver, pliers for the triangular clips.
- Parts to buy are maintenance kit. Rollers + idler pulley + belt (do all three together).
- Unplug the machine before you start.
Unplug the dryer. Some roller shafts have sharp burrs, gloves help.
Tools
- Putty knife
- Nut driver
- Pliers for the triangular clips
Parts
- Maintenance kit. Rollers + idler pulley + belt (do all three together)
Step by step
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1 Open up and pull the drum
Same teardown as a belt job. Top up, front off, belt tension released, drum out. (See the belt guide for detail, you’re replacing that too, since it’s off anyway.)
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2 Spin every wheel
Rollers should spin freely and silently with no flat spots. The idler should spin without squealing. Front glides (if fitted) shouldn’t be worn to metal.
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3 Swap the rollers
Pry off the triangular retaining clips (they love to fly, cup a hand over them), slide off old rollers, slide on new, new clips from the kit.
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4 Swap the idler
The idler arm usually lifts out of a slot. Transfer the new pulley or replace the whole arm per your kit.
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5 New belt, drum back in, test
Route the new belt, reassemble, and enjoy a dryer that sounds five years younger.
Whirlpool WED4950HW notes & error codes
Dryer sheets leave an insulating film on the moisture sensor bars, so the machine reads dry within minutes and quits early. Alcohol on a cloth is the entire fix and costs nothing.
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| F0 E1 | Airflow restriction detected |
| F3 E1 | Moisture sensor fault |
| F3 E4 | Thermistor out of range |
| PF | Power failure during the cycle |
Full details for this machine, common problems, causes, and costs, are in the Whirlpool WED4950HW repair guide. The general version of these instructions is here.
Grinding from the very back center after new rollers points at the rear drum bearing, some models make that a genuinely miserable job and a fair thing to hand to a pro. If you'd rather skip it entirely, find a dryer repair pro near you
What this repair costs professionally
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