2 days ago, I replaced the drum rollers and the idler pulley wheel on my dryer because it was making a lot of noise. Dryer worked fine for at least 2 or 3 cycles. Tonight, my wife noticed a strong smell of burning rubber.

Disassembled the dryer and found that the belt had broken. Also, the Belt Restrainer had been deformed/melted, presumably due to friction from the belt. I've found the replacement, part number AP3130521 or Maytag P/N 3393657.

My problem is I am having trouble removing the belt pulley, p/n AP4371117 (maytag p/n W10136930). I can get a socket on the pulley, and I've clamped a vise-grip on the motor shaft, but it isn't coming off. I'm not certain how the shaft is threaded, so I don't want to force it and risk destroying the pulley.

Is this a normal thread or a reverse threaded shaft? Also, do I really need the belt restrainer? The pulley has flanges which should keep the belt from slipping off as long as the belt is properly tensioned.

I don't know why the belt failed, but it's *possible* I reinstalled the belt incorrectly , as I was in a bad mood and in a hurry at the time. I noticed what looked like groove marks on the plastic idler pulley, so the belt might have been inside-out, so to speak. The belt looks like if failed from the smooth side rather than the grooved side.

Thanks in advance for any input or advice.

Thanks Eric.

Are left-hand threads unique to just certain manufacturers? I am confused because I saw this post regarding a different Maytag model:

http://forum.appliancepartspros...ey-motor.html#post871874

Any idea why it is on so tight? Loc-Tite? Is that normal? Should I shoot some bolt loosener like Kroil into the thread? I could try clamping the shaft even harder with a vise-grip, but it really shouldn't be necessary.

Thanks. I may try that tonight if I cannot get my hands on a replacement pulley to inspect. Judging by the way the blower needs to spin, I believe the motor is spinning CCW if I look at the motor shaft from the front of the dryer. If I look at it from the rear, then the shaft would be spinning CS, which would mean a left-handed thread, right?

I'm heading to a shop right now. Hopefully they have one in stock.

Thanks again for your help.