How to Replace W10314173 Dryer Drum Support Roller on Whirlpool & Maytag Dryers — Step-by-Step

Your Whirlpool WED5000DW0 starts making a rumbling sound that gets louder with each load. You ignore it for a week, then suddenly the drum won't turn at all. That grinding noise? It's the drum support roller — specifically the W10314173 — which sits underneath your dryer drum and takes all the weight while spinning. When it fails, your dryer either squeals like a freight train or stops spinning entirely.

This roller wears out from constant friction. Every time your dryer runs, it's supporting 20-30 pounds of wet laundry rotating at high speed. Eventually the bearing seizes or the rubber coating cracks, and that's when you hear the noise or see marks on your clothes from the drum rubbing against the cabinet.

What You Need Before Starting

This repair takes about 45 minutes if you're methodical. The difficulty is moderate — you'll need to lift the top and remove the front panel, but nothing requires special skills.

• Phillips screwdriver
• Putty knife (for releasing clips)
• 5/16" nut driver or socket
• Work gloves (metal edges are sharp)
• Flashlight or headlamp

Repair time: 45-60 minutes | Difficulty: Moderate

Safety First

Unplug your dryer completely. Don't just flip the breaker — actually pull the plug from the wall. If you have a gas dryer, turn off the gas supply valve and disconnect the gas line. You're going to be reaching inside the cabinet where sharp metal edges hide, so work gloves aren't optional. Also, get someone to help you lift the drum back into place during reassembly — it's awkward and heavy.

Step 1: Remove the Lint Screen and Top Panel

Pull out the lint screen completely. Look inside the slot — you'll see two Phillips screws at the top. Remove those. Now slide a putty knife between the top panel and the front panel about 2 inches from each corner. Push in and lift up to release the spring clips. The whole top lifts up and back like a car hood. Prop it against the wall or have someone hold it.

Step 2: Disconnect the Door Switch and Remove Front Panel

With the top raised, locate the door switch wire on the right side. Press the tab and pull it straight off. Now find the screws holding the front panel — usually three across the top edge under where the lint screen sits, and two inside the door opening. Remove all of them. Lift the front panel up slightly, then pull it toward you. Set it aside carefully so you don't crack the plastic door.

Step 3: Support the Drum and Access the Roller

Here's where it gets interesting. The drum is now sitting on the support rollers with only the belt holding it in place. Reach around to the back of the drum and push the idler pulley to release belt tension, then slip the belt off. The drum will drop slightly. You can either wedge something under the front of the drum or just be ready to support it when you pull it forward. Most people find it easier to just pull the drum out completely — it only weighs about 15 pounds empty.

With the drum out of the way, you'll see the support rollers on metal shafts at the back of the cabinet. The W10314173 typically comes as a set, and you should replace both even if only one looks bad. They wear at the same rate. Remove the single screw holding each roller bracket to the cabinet, slide the old roller off the shaft, and slide the new one on. The roller should spin freely without wobbling.

Step 4: Reinstall the Drum and Thread the Belt

Clean any lint buildup from the drum support area while you're in there — it's amazing how much accumulates. Now lift the drum back into position. The belt wraps around the drum with the grooves facing the drum surface, then routes under the idler pulley and around the motor pulley. On most Whirlpool and Maytag dryers using this roller, the belt path is: around drum, under idler pulley (bottom left), around motor pulley (bottom right). Rotate the drum by hand to make sure the belt tracks properly.

Step 5: Reassemble and Test

Reverse the disassembly. Front panel goes on first — hook the bottom edge in, then push it back and secure all the screws. Reconnect the door switch wire. Lower the top panel and push down firmly on both front corners until you hear the clips snap. Replace the lint screen housing screws. Plug the dryer back in (reconnect gas if applicable).

Run an empty cycle on high heat. Listen for any unusual sounds during the first few minutes. The new rollers might make a slight humming sound as they break in, but you shouldn't hear grinding, squealing, or rumbling. If the drum spins smoothly and quietly, you're done.

Testing After Installation

Run three test cycles over the next day: empty, half-load, and full-load. Check that the drum rotates at consistent speed and doesn't make noise when starting or stopping. Open the door mid-cycle and inspect your clothes — you shouldn't see any black marks or scuff marks that would indicate the drum is rubbing somewhere. If everything checks out after these tests, the repair is solid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I replace both drum support rollers even if only one is bad?

Yes, always replace them as a pair. They wear at the same rate, and if one failed, the other is close behind. The W10314173 typically includes both rollers in the kit anyway. Replacing just one means you'll be taking the dryer apart again in a few months when the second one fails.

How do I know if the roller is bad or if it's the belt?

Spin the rollers by hand with the dryer unplugged and drum removed. A bad roller will feel rough, wobbly, or won't spin at all. A worn belt shows cracks, fraying, or glazing on the surface. If your dryer makes noise but still spins, it's usually the rollers. If it doesn't spin at all or spins intermittently, check the belt first.

Can I use this roller on Kenmore dryers?

Yes, if your Kenmore model uses Whirlpool parts. The W10314173 replaces several numbers including WPW10314173, 8536974, and 3396802. Kenmore dryers with model numbers starting with 110 are usually made by Whirlpool and use these same rollers. Check your model number against the compatibility list to be certain.