Installing a GE Dryer Rear Bearing Retainer

Unplug the GE dryer from the 30-amp wall outlet or turn off the 30-amp breaker inside your home’s main circuit breaker box.

Remove the Phillips screws from behind the dryer’s control panel to remove the plastic cover from the back of the panel, exposing the screws holding the top panel to the dryer. Remove the two screws from the top panel. Lift the front of the top panel up and slide it toward the front of the dryer to remove.

Pull apart the two wire harnesses that connect the door switch and moisture sensor. The harnesses are located behind the left side of the control panel.

Remove the screw from each side of the dryer that holds the control panel to the dryer cabinet. The screws thread through the control panel metal brace and into the two sides of the cabinet. Grab both sides of the control panel, Lift it up off the front of the dryer and lay it on top of the GE dryer cabinet.

Loosen the two screws at the bottom left and right corners on the front panel of the machine. Remove the two screws on the top right and left sides of the dryer’s front panel.

Grasp the top of the front panel. Pull the panel forward, then lift it up to remove it from the dryer cabinet.

Reach underneath the left side of the dryer drum to find the roller pulley. Push the pulley toward the drum to release the tension on the dryer drum belt. Remove the belt from the pulley, then release the belt from the pulley attached to the dryer motor behind the roller pulley.

Slide the GE dryer drum from the dryer cabinet. This exposes the heating element and the heating element wiring along the back of the dryer.

Squeeze the plastic tabs together along the edge of the dryer’s back panel to releases the wire retaining clips. These clips hold the wires to the back of the dryer cabinet. Remove the four screws holding the heating element to the inside of the dryer cabinet.

Pull the heating element away from the back of the dryer, but do not disconnect the wiring from the dryer. Remove the four screws in the center of the heating element holding the bearing housing to the element. Pull the housing off the back of the element.

Position the new spring clamp onto the new bearing housing by using the original housing as a guide. Attach the new bearing housing to the back of the heating element using the hex-head screws provided with the new housing and a 5/16-inch nut driver.

Reattach the heating element to the rear wall of the dryer cabinet. Push the plastic retaining clips back into the rear wall to reattach the wires to the wall of the dryer.

Remove the three torx-head screws from inside the back center of the dryer drum with a number 25 torx-head screwdriver. These screws hold the male end of the rear bearing to the outside back of the dryer drum and the heat shield to the inside of the drum.

Remove the bearing and the heat shield. Clean the built-up lint from the heat shield and the drum behind the shield.

Assemble the male portion of the bearing using the original bearing as a guide. Tighten the nut on the bearing with a 3/4-inch socket and socket wrench.

Insert the original heat shield into the dryer drum. Thread the torx-head screws through the shield and attach the bearing to the outside of the drum. Tighten the torx-head screws to secure the male bearing to the back of the drum.

Install the GE dryer drum, with the belt attached, into the dryer cabinet. Ensure the bearing on the rear of the drum inserts into the bearing housing in the center of the heating element.

Wrap the belt around the motor pulley and the roller pulley. Manually rotate the dryer drum to align the belt properly around the drum.

Reassemble the dryer by reversing the disassembly steps. Reconnect the electricity to your GE dryer by plugging it into the 30-amp outlet or by turning on the 30-amp breaker.