The idler pulley on an older GE dryer does not tension the belt. The idler pulley is mounted on a spring rod, but the rod's neutral position does not tension the belt. The rod is attached to the bottom of the dryer near the wall. Is the solution to simply bend the rod to a position that would apply tension to the belt? Thanks. ron

The reason for this will be that you have mis-routed the belt or that the spring on the idler arm is weak or has broken / dropped off. The idler pulley puts tension on the back edge of the belt. What made the loud noise will be the key to this. My bet is that you lost the spring or an idler arm mounting bolt.

It sounds like you didn't install the belt onto the idler pulley in the correct S-shape. The idler pulley should always keep the belt tight under spring tension (no adjustment screws).
Here is a video, and tho it is a completely different model, almost all dryer belts/pulleys are installed in this manner. You can skip to the 2:30 to 2:45 time frames, where it then shows exactly how to re-install the belt on the idler pulley.

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

your idler pulley near the motor area is bad,it keeps tension on the belt,usually either a spring steel rod or a bracket with a nylon pulley attached on the end

Pull the belt cover off on the side of the engage lever and you will see that it is not a wire cable that engages the idler pulley. It's a rod connected to a long spring. Perhaps the spring came off or is defective as it puts tension on the idler pulley against the drive belt when you engage the blades. Further, there is a return spring to pull the idler pulley away from the drive belt when you disengage the blades. Check all the connections for the springs and see that the engage lever is mounted tightly. Also check the idler pulley itself.

HI, Looking at the idler assembly from the back, move the idler wheel to the left (spring loaded).
Slip the belt on the motor pulley with ribs touching pulley. Now let the idler pulley rest againdt the back side of the belt.
I hope this helps you.
Please let me know if I can help further.

Vic

route the belt around the drum, pull the spring loaded idler pulley to the postion that requires you to hold it there..
put the belt : 1 through the motor pulley and around the idler pulley, or 2. around the idler pulley which ever works to keep the tensioner tight. (Idler pulley, tensioner same thing its the pulley not on the motor.
Once you put the belt on the durm, pull the idler pull so there is tension on it it should be clear how it goes.

Doc

there is a certain way that the belt is supposed to loop around the tensioner and motor. this picture might help.

hi there, I am a dryer repairman of some six years experience.
I used to have this problem also, at the beginning of my work!
Firstly, put the "belt guide" in its correct postion, that is with the 2 metal prongs fitted into the 2 slots on the mounting plate below the motor. If it doesnt stay in place, remove and bend the 2 metal prongs outwards slightly. (belt guide = idler pulley assembly)
Secondly, feed the belt in, through the middle of the metal idler pulley arm, and loop it over the bottom pulley of the motor. Next, pull the belt out to the side, to check that its properly located on the pulley. You can pull the belt to the side with one hand, while feeling with the other, if the belt is neatly on the pulley.
Thirdly, while keeping a little tension always on the belt, slip it over the drum while keeping the idler pulley on the outside (RH side ) of the belt. Now reposition the belt on the idler pulley. While doing this, you are always keeping a little tension on the belt, by pulling out to the side, taking up the slack with left hand. Always keep a little tension on the belt, until spring is in place. Next, you push the belt down into its normal running position on the drum, this can be just approximate for now.
Fourthly, you fit the tensioning spring, between the idler pulley arm, and the hole in the seam of the dryer case. (or if there is a belt-break switch, you put it around that) This is a bit tricky, as you need a strong right hand to stretch the spring. Can use pliers to help, but sometimes makes it harder!
Lastly, after you have done all this and finished, must check that all is firmly in place before closing up the dryer. Rotate the motor pulley by hand, carefully, to see if the belt is running smoothly, not twisted or misaligned. Correct as needed. If there is a loud TWANG, then the idler pulley has come out of its seat, and you begin again from step one, being more careful, checking as you go.