How to Change a Belt in a Kenmore Automatic Washer

Unplug the Kenmore washer's power cord from the electrical outlet before you begin working on the machine. Pull the appliance away from the wall. Turn off the water supply valves and disconnect the hoses from the back of the washer. If necessary, loosen the hose fittings with a pair of channel-lock pliers.

Remove the drain hose from the washing machine using the channel-lock pliers to release the hose clamp. Place a blanket on the floor in front of the washing machine and then tilt the machine forward so that it is lying face down on the floor. Remove the back panel from the washing machine using a Phillips screwdriver to loosen the screws.

Loosen, but do not remove, the nuts securing the motor to the base using a socket and ratchet. Rotate the motor to loosen the tension on the belt if it still is in place. Remove the belt from the motor. Rotate the motor to the left as far as you can so that you can gain clearance for the cam bar.

Advance the spin cam bar to the spin position by pushing up on the solenoid plunger and then rotating the main drive pulley. Remove the brake yoke spring from the gear case using a pair of pliers. Remove the three gear case support braces using a socket and ratchet.

Remove the bolts from the pump using a socket and ratchet. Remove the mounting stud and the space from the gear case using a socket and ratchet. Loosen, but do not remove, the remaining mounting studs from the gear case using a socket and ratchet. You must turn it about seven turns.

Remove the yoke retainer from the support using a pair of pliers. Pull down on the gear case and slip the old belt off the machine. Install the new belt. Connect the yoke retainer to the support using the pliers. Tighten the mounting studs on the gear case using a socket and ratchet. Install the stud and spacer to the gear case using a socket and ratchet.

Install the support braces on the gear case using a socket and ratchet. Connect the brake yoke spring to the gear case using the pliers. Move the cam bar out of the spin position by pushing up on the solenoid and rotating the drive pulley. Slip the belt onto the motor pulley. Rotate the motor to apply tension to the belt.

Tighten the nuts on the motor base using a socket and ratchet. Place the back on the Kenmore washing machine and install the retaining screws using a Phillips screwdriver. Stand the machine upright and connect the drain hose using the channel-lock pliers to secure the clamp. Connect the water supply hoses to the washing machine.

Plug the power cord into the electrical outlet and push the machine into place against the wall. Turn on the water supply valves and run the washer for a short cycle to test the new belt installation.