Whirlpool dryer, I took the back off. I can see the belt is hanging and the pulley was just laying in the bottom. I picked the pulley up and it looks fine. The belt is not broken. I don't know how to get took the part where the pulley is supposed to go. I don't know how to put the belt and pulley back together.

It is very possible the belt that runs around the drum and motor has skipped off the pulley. remove back plate if possible, or lay it on its back and remove bottom plateto have a look. It may be just a case of relocating the belt back onto the pulley or if belt is broken a bit more surgery to replace the belt

1st, Unplug the Dryer from the Power Supply.
You will need the Exact recommended Replacement "Idler Pulley".
With the Belt Ribs Facing Toward the Dryer Drum, position the belt on the tell tale Ring Mark on the Drum letting the Belt Hang Down below the Drum.
Place The New Idler Pulley into the Slots on the Inside Dryer Bottom located near the Motor Mounted Pulley.
(Face The Idler Pulley Toward The Motor Mounted Pulley)
(Hold the Idler Pulley in place in the slots)
Take the "Hanging Belt" & run the Whole Loop "UNDER" the Idler Pulley & then
Attach the "Belt Loop" "AROUND" The Motor Mounted Pulley.
That should do it.
Put the rest of the Dryer Back Together...Done!
Good Luck,
Vinnie

hello berna.... that pulley is the idler pulley which keeps tension on the belt which turns the dryer drum. It apparently came unattached or in some cases unbolted. It will have to be put back in position. The dryer belt may also be broken or worn. consiter replacing both the belt and the idler pulley. Joe

If you are referring to the tension pulley that keeps the belt tight on the drum, just follow these steps to reinstall:

1. Make sure the drive belt is looped around the dryer drum with the groove side facing the drum. (Try to line the belt up with the wear marks already on the drum).

2. With the tensioner in your left hand, insert the clip end of the idler pulley into the grooves on the dryer bottom casing with the idler wheel pointing to your left. (The grooves are directly in front of the drive motor.)

3. While holding the tensioner in place, insert the belt UNDER the wheel with your right hand and pull it up and over the drive motor pulley.

If this does not explain it well enough, you can also verify by going to repairclinic.com. Click on the Repair Help link and look for the "Dryer Belt Diagrams" link under the Special Features section on the next page. Look for Whirlpool and refer to diagram H.

NOTE: If you still have the teflon glide type tensioner, Whirlpool recommends you replace it with a conventional roller type idler pulley. The teflon type tensioners caused premature wear to the drive belts. A replacement pulley can be ordered on line at any of the following websites:

searspartsdirect.com
pcappliancerepair.com
appliancepartspros.com
repairclinic.com

The part number is 691366 (if needed).

If you have any questions, please post back with your MODEL NUMBER (located on a nameplate around the dryer door opening) so that I may be able to confirm your dryer configuration. I hope this helps you.

If this is a Whirlpool manufactured dryer (which inlcudes Kenmore, Roper, Estate, Kitchenaid, and Frigidaire), just follow these steps:

a. Loop the drive belt around the dryer drum with the groove side facing the drum. (Try to line the belt up with the wear marks already on the drum from the previous belt).

b. With the tensioner in your left hand, insert the clip end of the idler pulley into the grooves on the dryer bottom casing with the idler wheel pointing to your left. (The grooves are directly in front of the drive motor.)

c. While holding the tensioner in place, insert the belt UNDER the wheel with your right hand and pull it up and over the drive motor pulley.

If this does not explain it well enough, you can also verify by going to repairclinic.com. Click on the Repair Help link and look for the "Dryer Belt Diagrams" link under the Special Features section on the next page. Look for Whirlpool and locate diagram H.

NOTE: It is normal for the idler pulley to come loose when there is no belt tension.

If your dryer is not manufactured by Whirlpool, or if you simply aren't sure, please post back with your model number so I can give you more accurate information. I hope you find this helpful.

If the belt slipped off, this will cause the idler pulley to come loose. This is normal with no tension on the pulley to hold it in place. To re-install, follow these steps:

1. Loop the drive belt around the dryer drum with the groove side facing the drum. (Try to line the belt up with the wear marks already on the drum from the previous belt).

2. With the tensioner in your left hand, insert the clip end of the idler pulley into the grooves on the dryer bottom casing with the idler wheel pointing to your left. (The grooves are directly in front of the drive motor.)

3. While holding the tensioner in place, insert the belt UNDER the wheel with your right hand and pull it up and over the drive motor pulley.

If this does not explain it well enough, you can also verify by going to repairclinic.com. Click on the Repair Help link and look for the "Dryer Belt Diagrams" link under the Special Features section on the next page. Look for Whirlpool and refer to diagram H. If you still have questions, please let me know. I hope this helps you.

This picture may help it shows the position of the belt tensioning pulley (#53) . The bottom of the spring goes into a slot in the bottom of the dryer cabinet and spring tension against the belt holds it in place. Thus the reason why it was probably just laying there when you opened the cabinet.

Below the motor pulley is two sets of parallel slots and some notches running perpendicular to them. Look at the tensioner, the piece that is laying on its side. Notice opposite of the roller is a flat surface with flanges that line up to the holes below the motor pulley. Ok? Alright now we want to scoop the front into one of those notches and it will hold. Now the belt goes over this roller on the tensioner first pushing slightly away from the motor pulley causing enough slack to loop it around the motor pulley so it goes over then around. Have someone hold the drum and steady so you can reach in, ps make sure the dryer is unplugged.:)
Ok here is a site I use to get illustrated, Look it over and punch in your model so you can see roughly how to get er done. Notice item 53 this is on my dryer, use www.apdepot.com.

depends on the brand. always post brand and model #.
if it is a whirlpool or kenmore the idler pulley will be laying in the bottom of dryer. the belt should have come with instructions as to how to loop it around motor pulley and Idler.
J

if whirlpool are kenmore the pulley slides in tobottom of the dryer in front motor there a slot it goes in