How to replace the felt seal in your dryer

DryerDifficult⏱ 35 - 45 minutes

Инструкция на английском (оригинал iFixit). Непонятные термины — в разделе «Основы → Словарь».

The felt seal stops lint and hot air from escaping the drum and protects the heater and motor from dangerous buildup. When the felt collapses the dryer needs longer cycles and can even catch fire. Follow this guide to clean the cabinet, rebuild the plastic support ring and install a new felt seal so your dryer runs safely and efficiently again.

🧰 Tools

Screwdriver
Vacuum Cleaner
Gloves
Cleaning alcohol
Contact adhesive
Hair Dryer
Needle and Thread

⚙️ Parts

Felt seal
Self adhesive sealing strip

ШагиSteps

Disconnect power

Unplug the power cord to eliminate electric shock risk.
Place the dryer on a stable surface with enough room to work.

Remove loose lint

Open the small front access panel and vacuum out all visible fluff and dust.
Continue cleaning until no loose material remains inside the cavity.

Detach top panel

Remove the screws along the rear edge of the top panel.
Lift the panel up and unhook it from the side clips to expose the drum.

Remove control panel

Unscrew the three screws holding the control panel to the cabinet front.
Slide the panel upward and set it aside without straining the wire harness.

Remove front bulkhead assembly

Pull out the lint filter and remove the main screw beneath it.
Extract the small screws securing the plastic slider ring around the drum opening.
Disconnect the door lock switch wires and free the lock from the front panel.
Drill out or pry the factory rivet and plan to replace it with a screw and nut during reassembly.

Release belt and remove drum

Reach inside and pull the drive belt off the motor pulley and tensioner.
Lift the drum straight out of the cabinet and set it aside.

Clean cabinet interior

Vacuum every surface, heater compartment and motor area until all lint is removed.
Remove any hardened deposits with a brush so the adhesive will bond later.

Degrease plastic support ring

Wipe the entire plastic support ring with cleaning alcohol until it is completely grease-free.
Allow the ring to dry before applying new material.

Rebuild worn support ring

Apply a self-adhesive sealing strip around the ring, doubling it where the groove permits.
Use a hair dryer to warm the backing and improve adhesion while peeling away the liner.
Press the strip firmly all the way around, keeping the thickness uniform to avoid noise.

Lubricate support ring

Lightly coat the outer surface of the rebuilt ring with a few drops of machine oil.
Wipe away excess oil so only a thin film remains.

Cut new felt seal

Measure the circumference of the drum rim and mark the new felt to that length.
Cut the felt with a sharp blade and join the ends with a zigzag stitch.

Apply adhesive to rim and felt

Wearing a glove, spread contact adhesive around the metal rim where the felt will sit.
Coat one edge of the felt with the same adhesive.
Wait several minutes until both surfaces feel tacky to the touch.

Install new felt

Stretch the felt evenly around the rim, pressing it onto the adhesive as you go.
Keep the felt snug and level to prevent future air leaks.
Expect some resistance; work slowly to avoid finger strain.

Reinstall drum and rear screws

Set the drum back onto the rear bearing and align it with the cabinet.
Insert the two rear screws with their washers to secure the drum to the bearing plate.
Ensure the felt lip faces outward and hugs the drum circumference.

Fit drive belt

Center the belt on the drum and thread it between the tensioner and motor pulley.
Pull the tensioner spring back carefully to protect your fingers.
Turn the drum by hand to verify the belt tracks correctly.

Reassemble front and top panels

Refit the plastic slider ring and front bulkhead, aligning the air channels and clips.
Install screws by hand and tighten lightly to avoid stripping plastic threads.
Reattach the control panel and secure the lint filter and remaining screws.
Replace the original rivet with a screw and nut if you do not have a rivet tool.

Perform functional check

Spin the drum by hand to confirm smooth, quiet rotation with minimal play.
Plug the dryer in and run a short cycle to verify proper operation and airflow.
A new felt seal will improve efficiency and reduce fire risk.

Your dryer now has a fresh felt seal and a refurbished support ring, restoring proper airflow, quieter operation and safer drying cycles. Regularly clean the lint filter to keep the new parts in good condition.

«How to replace the felt seal in your dryer» — автор Ula Gantar, iFixit, лицензия CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. Показано без изменений. Открыть оригинал и комментарии →