Help sourcing a Maytag dryer part.

4 years ago

Hoping dadoes or some of you other mechanical wizards can help. My nephew is looking for a dryer motor pulley for a Maytag MDE5500AYW. This is part of a very old set he inherited with a home he purchased last year. No paperwork. Until now both washer and dryer did a good job and he would like to keep them in repair. He says it every time he finds a possible part match it will specify that the part does not work with his particular model. Any suggestions appreciated.

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dadoes

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Maytag produced that model for several years. The serial indicates your nephew's specimen was manufactured in June of 2007.

My neighbor has one produced in Nov 2000, found free on Craigslist in 2006. The previous owners had continued to use it after a problem developed, which led to the drum tearing apart and they gave it away. I repaired it at that time. The belt broke in June 2020, I repaired it again.

Rather much unusual that the motor pulley would break. I believe the pulley screws onto the (threaded) motor shaft, and has always been included with replacement motors, not as a separate-sourced part item.

Is nephew perhaps confused between the motor pulley and the belt idler/tension pulley? The belt idler is a wear-part that is a common cause for a broken belt if it seizes or breaks. Can he provide a photo of what he found broken?

There are two replacement motors listed on parts diagrams, W10410997 and WP33002795. They may differ in the wiring connection arrangement.

There are used motors on eBay. Amazon lists a substitute (non-Whirlpool) new motor for $69.95 with free shipping ... but beware on the quality of non-OEM parts, some are OK, some are duds.

Photos are one of the legitimate WP motors. That pulley is what nephew found broken?

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Comments (12)

MizLizzie
Original Author
4 years ago
clt3
4 years ago
Repair clinic shows that the motor comes with the belt pulley.Repair clinic
MizLizzie thanked clt3
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HU-867564120
4 years ago
Ditto clt, the pulley looks to be part of the motor shaft. What is wrong with the existing drive pulley? It's hard to imagine that it would wear out or fail.
MizLizzie
Original Author
4 years ago
Neffie says the pulley cracked and broke the belt. A load of wet throw rugs did it in, apparently. Lesson learned for the youngsters. Sounds like the Maytag is headed to the dump. It’s breaking their hearts — they are reduce-reuse-recycle diehards — but seems the economics aren’t gonna make sense on this one. Thanks.
dadoes
4 years ago
Belt idler/tension pulley.
MizLizzie
Original Author
4 years ago
Wow, dadoes, thank you so much. Sadly, yes, the neffie confirms. That is what they broke. He is throwing in the towel. His FIL is loaning him an extra dryer which he will use until the Maytag washer joins its partner in the WD graveyard. Then they will invest in a good set. Really appreciate everyone’s advice.
dadoes
4 years ago
Just to say, the Maytag is a good unit. Any new dryer he buys won't be the same quality.
MizLizzie
Original Author
4 years ago
Okay. So the part referenced clt3 is $257. Neffie has never done this repair — or any other significant WD repair — but he is willing to go for it. You think it is worth it? And that price sounds fair? I trust your judgement. Thanks.
dadoes
4 years ago
What is your reference "clt3?"

I see the difference now between the motors.

W10410997 has a D-shaped shaft (with a flat side) for the blower wheel. WP33002795 has a threaded shaft for the blower wheel. Must match that to the blower wheel on his machine.

PartsDr lists W10410997 at $104.18. WP33002795 is $148.95. There are numerous online sources, including used motors on eBay.
MizLizzie
Original Author
4 years ago
Sorry I meant to say ”by clt3” — the poster who shared the link to the part.
dadoes
4 years ago
Ahh, so.

That's the version with a threaded blower shaft, for a screw-on blower wheel.

Early production may be the D-shaft, later production the threaded shaft. I'm not sure on that.

Maytag typically indicates production changes by the "series" designation which is the first two characters of the serial, but the parts lookup does not reference the distinction for MDE5500AYW/Q (W is white, Q is bisque). So nephew has to determine which motor by observation.
MizLizzie thanked dadoes