The modern clothes dryer evolved in the 20th century, saving people the hassle of hanging clothes outside to dry. An electric dryer removes the moisture from clothes by tumbling them in a drum that is heated by a coil, or heating element. The hot, damp air is vented to the outside of the home, leaving the clothes nice and dry. If your dryer suddenly stops heating up and drying your clothes properly, you may need a new heating coil, or element. The heating element in a Kenmore dryer can be replaced with simple tools in one afternoon.
Instructions
1. Unplug the dryer's electrical cord. Pull the dryer away from the wall far enough to give working space at the rear of the unit. Remove the 5/16-inch sheet metal screws holding the rear dryer cover in place by turning them counterclockwise with a nut driver. Set the rear cover aside.
2. From the back of the dryer, locate the can on the right-hand side that holds the heating element. Label with masking tape all of the wires that go to the element. Use needle nose pliers to remove all of the electrical wires from the can.
3. Remove the can from the dryer by taking off the screw at the top of the can with a 5/16-inch hex head wrench. Tilt the can back and lift it from the two hooks on the bottom. Take the heating element from the can by removing the 5/16-inch sheet metal screw with a nut driver, then sliding the element out.
4. Slide the new heating element into the can. Align the mounting hole in the element with the screw hole in the can and replace the screw by turning it clockwise with the nut driver.
5. Attach the can back into the rear of the dryer by hanging it onto the bottom mounting hooks. Rotate the can upward and replace the mounting screw with the hex head wrench. Tighten the screw in a clockwise direction.
6. Push the electrical wires back onto their connectors on the can using needle nose pliers. Use the masking tape labels to ensure correct placement of the wires. Remove the masking tape from the wires once they are attached to the can.
7. Reattach the rear panel to the dryer with the original mounting screws. Turn the screws clockwise with the nut driver. Push the dryer back into position and plug the electrical cord back into the receptacle.
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