Drum Roller Installation

August 14, 2023 9:33 AM

How are the triangular clips on the drum rollers installed during a dryer's assembly? Is it automated or manual?

I recently did some repair on my dryer, and I spent a lot of time taking the triangular clips off (and then putting them on), and I was wondering how this is installed in the first place. If you want to see the clips that I am speaking about, they are seen in this video: https://youtu.be/4QIHirXRzpA?t=216

posted by stevenpl to Technology (1 answer total)

I don't know how they're done at the factory, but I did this a while back on my own dryer. I just use a small precision screwdriver or a small spring hook to sort of pry the clip out of the retaining groove on the shaft. To reinstall it, I used a deep well socket that was barely larger than the diameter of the shaft to push the clip back on. The socket let me push on all three corners evenly, and it was all sort of self-centering.

There are probably specialized tools for the job that would be indispensable on a factory line or for a repair person doing this all the time, but for the "once in a blue moon" type of repairs, I'll usually just make do with what I have. (Except for a basin wrench. It's about impossible to replace a sink faucet without one!)
posted by xedrik at 5:08 PM on August 14, 2023