18 years in and I just learned I was tightening my belt tension way too much

I was rebuilding a whirlpool dryer last month and the new belt kept squealing even though I cranked it down. Old timer at the supply house asked if I ever tried the 'finger pinch' method where you leave just enough slack to push the belt in a quarter inch. Has anyone else been over-tightening their belts their whole career?

3 comments

3 Comments

kevin_williams15d ago

My 21 year old Kenmore has been through 3 belts in 5 years. I always cranked them tight as hell, never knew any better. You might be onto something with the loose belt trick, but I'm still skeptical about leaving that much play in it.

wadejenkins15d agoProlific Poster

3 belts in 5 years sounds less like a tension issue and more like you bought cheap belts, buddy.

aaronroberts15d ago

Hold on, are we really acting like a quarter inch of play is the difference between a belt lasting 5 years and 19 years? Ive seen machines running with belts so loose they chirp like a bird and they still spin. My grandpas old Kenmore has a belt that looks like its going to fall off any second and it outlasted my brand new washer. Dont stress about it too much, belts are like $8 and take 15 minutes to swap out.

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