{"product_id":"279640-whirlpool-dryer-idler-pulley","title":"Whirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley 279640 – OEM \u0026 Premium XPart Options Available","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.hero-banner{position:relative;background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(0,0,0,0.82) 60%,rgba(0,0,0,0.45) 100%),url('https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7783\/2225\/files\/4444444444444444.png?v=1777040489') center\/cover no-repeat;padding:36px 32px;border-radius:8px;margin:0 0 28px 0;color:#fff;}\n.hero-banner h2{margin:0 0 6px 0;font-size:1.55em;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:0.3px;}\n.hero-banner .label{display:inline-block;background:#c8a400;color:#000;font-size:0.72em;font-weight:800;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1px;padding:3px 10px;border-radius:3px;margin-bottom:12px;}\n.hero-specs{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:8px;margin-top:14px;}\n.hero-specs span{background:rgba(255,255,255,0.13);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.25);border-radius:4px;padding:5px 13px;font-size:0.82em;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.3px;}\n.pro-tip{background:#1a1a2e;border-left:4px solid #c8a400;padding:16px 20px;border-radius:6px;margin:24px 0;color:#f0f0f0;font-size:0.95em;line-height:1.6;}\n.pro-tip strong{color:#c8a400;}\n.upsell-box{background:#ffecd1;border-left:4px solid #ff9800;padding:14px 18px;margin:20px 0;border-radius:6px;}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- HERO BANNER --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hero-banner\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"label\"\u003eOEM \u0026amp; Premium XPart Options Available\u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eWhirlpool Dryer Idler Pulley 279640 – OEM \u0026amp; Premium XPart Options Available\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"hero-specs\"\u003e\n    \u003cspan\u003ePart# 279640\u003c\/span\u003e\n    \u003cspan\u003eReplaces 279640VP, 3388672\u003c\/span\u003e\n    \u003cspan\u003eFits Whirlpool \u0026amp; Maytag\u003c\/span\u003e\n    \u003cspan\u003eFits Kenmore \u0026amp; KitchenAid\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- H1 --\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eDryer Squealing or Drum Not Spinning? Idler Pulley 279640 – Fix Belt Tension Fast\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- INTRO --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA loud squealing, grinding, or thumping noise from your dryer — or a drum that stops turning mid-cycle — is almost always caused by a worn or seized idler pulley.\u003c\/strong\u003e In most Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore, and KitchenAid dryers, the idler pulley 279640 maintains constant tension on the drive belt. When the pulley bearing wears out, the belt slips, squeals, or snaps entirely — leaving clothes wet and the drum locked. \u003cstrong\u003e⚡ One of the most common failure points in Whirlpool-platform dryers.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePart 279640\u003c\/strong\u003e is the direct-fit OEM and premium XPart replacement that restores proper belt tension, eliminates noise, and gets your dryer running quietly again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- IS THIS THE RIGHT PART? --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e❓ Is This the Right Part?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the correct fix if ALL of the following are true:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e✔ Your dryer powers on and the motor runs — you can hear it attempting to turn\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e✔ The drive belt is intact — not snapped or completely off the drum\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e✔ The drum support rollers spin freely — not seized or flat-spotted\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e✔ The motor itself is not seized — it hums or runs when the drum is unloaded\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e✔ ONLY problem is squealing, grinding, belt slippage, or drum that won’t turn under load\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot sure? \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eSend us your model number\u003c\/a\u003e — we’ll confirm before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- COMMON SYMPTOMS --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🔧 Common Symptoms\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDryer squealing loudly — most common search: “Whirlpool dryer squeaking noise”\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eGrinding or thumping sound during tumble cycle\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDrive belt slipping off the drum or idler arm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDrum stops turning mid-cycle but motor continues to run\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDryer drum won’t turn at all — belt intact but no tension\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eVisible wear, cracking, or wobble on the idler pulley wheel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ If these symptoms match, this is the most likely failed component in the system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ In most cases, replacing this idler pulley restores normal drum rotation and eliminates noise immediately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- PART DETAILS --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e📦 Part Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePart Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 279640 (OEM) \/ 279640CM (XPart Premium)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dryer Idler Pulley – Belt Tension Assembly\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReplaces:\u003c\/strong\u003e OEM direct-fit idler pulley — supersedes 279640VP, 3388672, 697692, W10468057 (no modification required)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrands:\u003c\/strong\u003e Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore, KitchenAid, Amana, Roper, Estate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- UPSELL BOX --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"upsell-box\"\u003e\n  \u003cstrong\u003e⚠️ Recommended While Repairing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n  While the idler pulley is out, inspect the drive belt and drum support rollers — these three components wear together and a new pulley on a worn belt will squeal again within months. Replacing all three at the same time is the professional standard and eliminates the most common dryer noise callbacks.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- INSTALLATION --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e⚙️ Installation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkill Level: Moderate — 30–60 minutes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Unplug the dryer before beginning. Remove the front panel and lift the drum out to access the idler pulley mounted on the motor bracket at the base of the cabinet. Unhook the drive belt from the old pulley, swap the pulley on the idler arm, and re-route the belt around the drum, idler pulley, and motor pulley in the correct serpentine path. Reassemble the cabinet, plug in, and run a test cycle to confirm quiet operation and proper drum rotation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- PRO TIP --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e💡 Pro Tip\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pro-tip\"\u003e\n  \u003cstrong\u003ePhoto the Belt Path Before You Remove Anything:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n  The drive belt routing around the idler pulley and motor shaft is easy to get wrong on reassembly — an incorrectly routed belt will snap within minutes of running. Take a clear photo of the belt path before removing the old pulley. It takes 5 seconds and saves 30 minutes of troubleshooting.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- INTERNAL LINKS — BIDIR MODEL HUB PAGES --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModel hub pages: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/wed5500xw0\"\u003eWED5500XW0\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/wed5600xw0\"\u003eWED5600XW0\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/wed5700xw0\"\u003eWED5700XW0\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/wed5800bw0\"\u003eWED5800BW0\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/med5500fw0\"\u003eMED5500FW0\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/med5700fw0\"\u003eMED5700FW0\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/11096272800\"\u003e11096272800\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/11096372800\"\u003e11096372800\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/kied4671dh0\"\u003eKIED4671DH0\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ned4655ew1\"\u003eNED4655EW1\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/red4640yq1\"\u003eRED4640YQ1\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ler4634eq2\"\u003eLER4634EQ2\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"XPart Supply Ltd.","offers":[{"title":"XPart","offer_id":50566924304673,"sku":"279640CM","price":26.87,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"OEM","offer_id":50566924271905,"sku":"279640","price":29.86,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7783\/2225\/files\/image_537f83d6-7d8f-463f-a59c-bd9d261b6f91.png?v=1774147913","url":"https:\/\/xpartsupply.com\/products\/279640-whirlpool-dryer-idler-pulley","provider":"XPart Supply Ltd.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}