when to replace belt
 

Hi everyone,
You'd think I knew this by now, but I don't. How can I tell when a belt needs to be replaced? I'm wondering about the belts on one of my Kenmores. I bought it in 2000 or 2001, and haven't ever changed the belts. I live in a pretty dry area (Denver). How can I tell if the machine needs new belts? When I turn the hand wheel, it's harder than I remembered, and it makes a sort of rubbery sound that I don't remember it making before.
Since I have so many machines (hey -- it's not in double digits yet!) I should probably learn what to look for when a belt might need to be replaced.
Thanks,
Ila

Replace the belt when it:

cracks
frays
splits
breaks
petrifies
or when your sixth sense says too.

I have machines from the 60s with original internal belts that work fine. On the other hand I've put new belts on that deteriorated in less than a year.

Joe

Those pulleys can get frozen-up. May be the pulleys that have a problem instead of the belts.

Hi quiltedsunshine,
How do I free up the pulleys? Are they supposed to be oiled? Lubed?
Ila

Or when the belt stretches past the point where it can still be properly adjusted.