I have not worked on that particular model, but in general the GE models can be accessed from the front by removing the drum, and I think that is the procedure in your case. You might want to have a friend over to help handle the reassembly.

You can just "re-string" the element as long as there is not damage to the housing or the brackets holding the heating element.

However, before you go and do this you stated that it is your suspicion that the problem is the heating element. If you have not already done so, you should check the safety thermostat and any thermal fuses on the machine, and also check the heating element for continuity. We don't want you to go to the trouble and expense of replacing the element and then find it was not your problem.

If you have already done this checking, or have checked the heating element and found it to be bad then go ahead and replace it and enjoy drying (well as much as one can enjoy drying)

Well fortunately these are pretty big parts, I mean, if you leave the drum out you will know it. I think the biggest problem you might have is getting the belt back on, look closely at how it goes around the pulley and tensioner before you take it off.

You can do this, and if you find it is the thermostat you should be able to leave most of the parts in place.