Where to find replacement parts for your dryer

With the cost of dryer repairs, it may make sense for you to do the work yourself. But first you have to find the rights parts. Here's some advice where to look.

The more a technology offers, the more that can possibly go wrong. That truth underlies a lot of household appliances, including clothes dryers. While LED displays, electronic motherboards, moisture sensors and energy-efficient cycles offer greater convenience and functionality, the extra bells and whistles increase the number of problems that can crop up. That's why if you feel reasonably confident that you can repair your clothes dryer yourself, and avoid hiring a repair person, then it becomes a matter of sourcing the parts.

To find new replacement parts for your broken machine, you can go to a variety of online and in-store appliance retailers. You can also go straight to the source — the manufacturer itself — though you will probably be directed to an authorized parts supplier, or a licensed manufacturer of their parts.

At an appliance parts site, you can usually search for what you need by specifying the make and model, or part number, if you know it.

• If you are really clueless, some sites will let you enter a written description of what you need, and perhaps provide helpful pictures or diagram breakdowns for you to compare to the broken widget in your hand.
• You can also usually do a directory search, clicking from broad categories to more narrowly defined subcategories, until you find the part you need.
• Typically the sites offer fast delivery, sometimes same day, different shipping options, warranties and return policies.

You can also find used dryer parts, through the appliance sites and stores, as well as other online sources, such as classified ads and even auction sites. Among the parts you can find new or used are:

• Dryer heating elements, fuses, and belts
• Support rollers
• Drum belts and bearing kits
• Cycling thermostats
• Lint filters
• Heating elements
• Selector knobs
• Door latches
• Rear drum bearing kits
• Flame sensors
• Drive motors

If the repair job is too complicated for you, you can of course get a professional appliance repair service person to do the work for you.

• Regardless, you should also keep costs under control whether it is you or a professional doing the work.
• Consumer Reports has a rule of thumb that says if the repair will cost more than half of what the appliance costs new, then you should bite the bullet and just buy a new dryer.