About this product
W10837240 / WPW10837240 Dryer Idler Pulley & Tension Bracket Assembly
Key Features
- Heavy-Duty Tension Arm: Engineered with a reinforced metal bracket designed to maintain constant, calibrated tension on the drive belt, preventing slippage and ensuring smooth drum rotation even under heavy laundry loads.
- High-Heat Resistant Pulley: Features a specialized pulley wheel manufactured from premium, heat-stabilized polymer that resists melting and "flat-spotting" during long, high-temperature drying cycles.
- Self-Lubricating Bushing: Equipped with an internal self-lubricating bushing (or upgraded ball bearing in some versions) designed to provide near-silent operation and eliminate the high-pitched squealing common in aging dryers.
- Vibration-Damping Design: The bracket geometry is optimized to absorb mechanical vibrations from the drive motor, reducing operational noise and extending the lifespan of the drive belt.
Replaces / Cross-Reference Part Numbers
- W10837240
- W10837240VP
- W10547287
- W10547290
- W10118754
- W10118756
- 3387372
- 3388674
- AP5988716
- PS11726337
Compatibility & Fitment
This idler pulley assembly is the standard belt-tensioning component for the vast majority of 29-inch wide dryers manufactured by Whirlpool. Key compatible brands include:
- Whirlpool & Maytag: Fits hundreds of LER, LGR, MED, and MGD series models (e.g., LER4634EQ2, MEDC215EW1, MDE2400AZW).
- Kenmore (110 Series): Compatible with virtually all 110-prefix top-lint-filter models produced by Whirlpool for Sears (e.g., 110.60852990).
- Amana & Roper: Direct fit for NED, NGD, and RED series budget-friendly dryers.
- Estate, Inglis, & Admiral: Fits various standard-capacity models utilizing the 29-inch cabinet design.
- Note: This part is typically located at the bottom-rear of the dryer cabinet, mounted next to the drive motor.
When to Replace
- Loud Squealing or Chirping: A high-pitched mechanical noise that starts when the dryer begins to rotate, indicating the pulley bushing has run dry or seized.
- Drum Will Not Spin: The motor runs (you can hear it humming), but the drum does not rotate. This often happens if the idler pulley has snapped, causing the belt to fall off.
- Grinding Noises: A heavy grinding or metal-on-metal sound suggests the pulley wheel has worn down completely, allowing the bracket to rub against the belt.
- Persistent Thumping: If the pulley wheel has a "flat spot" from being seized while the motor was running, it will create a rhythmic thumping sound.
- Visible Melted Plastic: Upon inspection, the plastic pulley wheel appears deformed or melted due to friction heat from a slipping belt.
Installation Tips
- Safety First: You MUST unplug the dryer. This repair requires opening the cabinet and working near the motor's electrical terminals.
- Accessing the Pulley: On most Whirlpool-built models, you must remove the lint screen screws, pop the top panel, and remove the front bulkhead and drum to reach the motor area.
- The "Z" Routing: To install, loop the belt around the drum (ribs facing inward), then pull the belt under the idler pulley and over the motor drive pulley. This creates the tension required for the drum to spin.
- Check the Tension Spring: Ensure the large metal spring is securely hooked into the idler bracket and the dryer base. Without this spring, the pulley cannot apply tension to the belt.
- Vacuum the Motor Area (CRITICAL): While the dryer is open, use a vacuum to clean the motor and idler pulley area. Accumulated lint is the leading cause of pulley failure and motor overheating.
Description supplied by BlueStars Parts through its current Shopify listing. Product, performance, and health claims are the seller’s and have not been independently verified by StorkScout.
