Treadmill Repair

Treadmill Repair is not as hard as you might think. Try some basic troubleshooting techniques and do your own treadmill repair.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

The first and most important part of owning a treadmill or any piece of equipment is doing preventive maintenance. If you are not currently doing this then start today!

Now let us get started!

ALWAYS UNPLUG THE TREADMILL OR ANY EQUIPMENT BEFORE REPAIR!

Remove the hood or motor cover. There will probably be anywhere from 2 to 8 screws. Now vacuum the dust from around the motor and drive mechanisms. What you can’t get to with the vacuum, use a small cloth or brush. A clean motor runs smoothly
and does not overheat.

After you have cleaned around the motor, look for grease fittings, these are usually found on commercial grade units, but your unit may have them also.

For those of you who have never seen one, they are about the size of a pencil eraser and have a hole in the end. They are normally found on the bearings. If you don’t have a grease gun you can buy a small gun and grease at your local auto parts store for less than $10.00.

If your unit is chain driven, clean the chain of excess dust, and apply a small amount of grease to the chain, also grease the drive chain and elevation chain as necessary. Use white lithium grease if available.

Check all drive belts for wear, look for cuts and nicks, and replace as needed.

Loosen the walking belt. Most treadmills have either a bolt or screw on each side at the rear of the unit. Loosen these, push the rear roller toward the walking deck until the belt is loose enough for you to look underneath.

Raise the belt and inspect the underside for wear. If it looks worn or burned you need to replace the belt.

Inspect the walking deck for wear, you will be able to tell if it is worn. If it has little ruts worn into it or bare spots it needs to be either flipped or replaced.

Many treadmills today have walking decks that can be flipped. If your deck is worn flip it, but it is recommended that when you flip the deck you also replace the walking belt.

Wipe the deck and the underside of the belt with a soft cloth. Depending on your model of treadmill you should lubricate the walking deck at least every 6 months. Some units use silicone spray or gel. Others use wax. Check your owner’s manual for what the manufacturer recommends.

After you have cleaned the belt and deck and lubricated the deck as needed center the belt on the walking platform and tighten the screws at the end of the treadmill.

Turn each bolt the same amount to keep the belt centered. Tighten the belt until it does not move freely on the rollers. Then with CAUTION straddle the belt and start the treadmill at low speed.

Wait for the belt to start moving then step on the belt. If it stops, it is not tight enough. Step off the belt and tighten each side 1 turn then step on the belt again. Repeat as necessary.

Once you can walk on the belt at low speed without it stopping or slipping increase the speed to 3 miles per hour. This should be a fast walk. If your unit has side rails hold the rails and try to stop the belt with pressure.

IF ok then increase the speed to 5 MPH. Run on the treadmill, if you feel any slipping tighten the bolts another 1/2 turn each. Repeat if necessary.

If the belt is not centered, stand behind the treadmill and run the belt at full speed, if the belt is tracking to the left. Tighten the left bolt or screw 1/2 of a turn, and loosen the right bolt or screw 1/4 turn until the belt is centered.

IF the belt is tracking to the right, tighten the right side bolt or screw 1/2 turn and loosen the left bolt or screw 1/4 turn. Repeat as necessary, this should center the walking belt.

Always wipe the treadmill down after each use, as perspiration is very corrosive.