In case you personal a treadmill, you knew at the present time would come — it’s time to determine tips on how to exchange a treadmill belt. After numerous miles logged in your two-ply belt, it’s maybe changing into frayed, worn out, or off-center. Belt slips can occur on even the finest treadmills, however with a few instruments, our step-by-step information, and a bit little bit of endurance, you’ll quickly be capable of put “treadmill upkeep” in your resume and get again to your repeatedly scheduled runs.
This treadmill belt substitute information is concentrated on electrical treadmills — not handbook ones — and whereas the method is analogous for many fashions, you’ll nonetheless need to seek the advice of your consumer handbook along with this walkthrough. Now, roll up your sleeves and hold studying to get a way of how finest to deal with this DIY challenge, from the required instruments to understanding when it’s time to throw within the towel and name in professionals.
Making ready to Substitute a Treadmill Belt
“You would possibly suppose, ‘A treadmill is a treadmill,’ however this couldn’t be farther from the reality. Nicely, in fact, all treadmills ARE treadmills, however there are various several types of treadmills and components to think about,” says our professional reviewer, Amanda Capritto.
As such, the next steps could not apply to all treadmills, so that you’ll need to seek the advice of your consumer handbook earlier than starting your belt substitute. In case you don’t have the consumer handbook on your particular treadmill, have a look on-line to see if there’s a consumer handbook on the interwebs — for instance, most of the finest NordicTrack treadmills have manuals which could be downloaded. (1)
Security First
“A treadmill is a machine, and with any machine, there are security dangers,” says Capritto. Step 1 earlier than you begin tinkering together with your machine is all the time to show off and unplug your treadmill to keep away from getting shocked or frying your electrical elements.
When you’ve made certain your treadmill is totally powered off and the protection secret is eliminated, clear the world you’ll be working in to permit you sufficient room to work.
Instruments and Supplies
The commonest instruments wanted to interchange a treadmill belt are as follows:
- New treadmill belt (clearly)
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Hex keys/Allen wrenches
- Wrench
- Pliers
- Marker or tape
- Belt lubricant (silicone primarily based)
- Material for cleansing
- Vacuum cleaner
Suggestions Earlier than You Dive In
Test your treadmill’s consumer handbook to see if there are detailed directions on tips on how to exchange your treadmill belt. In case you’re left navigating these steps and not using a consumer handbook, contemplate taking pictures earlier than and after every step you deal with. This can assist you when it’s time to reassemble your machine. Do not forget that the entire items you’re taking off your health gear must return on. For a fast rundown of what’s what in your machine, take a look at our treadmill components information.
Eradicating the Previous Treadmill Belt
Have your instruments close by, make some room, and grit your tooth — you are able to do this! And in the event you get midway by means of and notice you may’t — or as I would say, “I don’t whanna” — you may all the time chalk up the hassle to a studying expertise and throw within the towel.
Whereas there are full movies on-line that element the ins and outs of changing an outdated treadmill belt, a name to your native treadmill restore firm is all the time an choice.
Take away Motor Cowl
Seize a screwdriver and take away the screws that hold the motor hood secured to the stomach pan. As soon as these screws are off, it’s best to be capable of pull the motor hood ahead, which separates it from the strolling platform.
Take away Proper Foot Rail
Foot rails could be hooked up to your treadmill in a handful of how.
- Typically the foot rail is hooked up with a screw positioned near the motor cowl.
- Some fashions have 4 or extra screws that run down the aspect which you’ll have to take away.
- Test beneath the foot rail for bolts which may be holding it in place.
- For non-folding treadmills, you could have to tip the treadmill on its aspect to take away finish caps.
- Use your Phillips screwdriver or wrench to take away the screw(s) and/or bolts, then slide the foot rail in direction of the again of the treadmill till it comes off.
You probably have one of many finest folding treadmills, you’ll need to fold the strolling board up for this step. As soon as secured, proceed to take away the foot rail. Some fashions would require you to pop finish caps off on this place. To take action, you’ll use a screwdriver to take away one or two screws that are securing these finish caps.
Chances are you’ll have to take away the foot rail whereas the treadmill is folded vertically or as soon as it’s lowered again to the bottom. Regardless, after this step, you may decrease your treadmill down and work on it from the bottom from right here on out.
In case you hit a bump within the highway and wish some troubleshooting steerage, apply some meditation for athletes to calm your frazzled nerves after which examine the foot rails for double-sided tape. In case you uncover that that is the perpetrator retaining the foot rail glued to the treadmill, take a knife and run it alongside the underside aspect of the foot rail to chop your rail free.
Loosen Pressure Bolts
The strain bolts are positioned on the bottom of the treadmill. After finding these, use a wrench or hex key to loosen each equally. This can scale back the strain on the belt
Take away the Rear Curler
Earlier than you’re taking the rear curler off, take a Sharpie or some tape and mark the left and proper aspect of the curler. When it comes time to place the rollers again on, you need to exchange this curler the identical means it was eliminated to maintain your treadmill operating easily.
To take the rear curler off, proceed loosening the strain bolts on either side till you’re in a position to take away the rear curler simply.
Take away the Entrance Curler
Most frequently than not, you’ll have to take away the entrance curler to realize entry to the operating belt. Go searching for screws and bolts that maintain the entrance curler in place. Begin by loosening these screws or bolts with a wrench or screwdriver, and if essential, eradicating them.
Some treadmills would require you to take stress off of the drive belt to take away the entrance curler. The drive belt is what causes the entrance curler to show when you might have the treadmill operating. To do that, loosen (however don’t take away) the anchor bolts on the treadmill motor mount.
These anchor bolts could be robust to get going, so you could need to insert your allen wrench after which twist it with a pair of pliers. As soon as loosened, insert your allen wrench into the strain mount and launch stress on the drive belt.
Take That Belt Off
With the utmost care, slide the belt off of the deck and rollers. If it feels such as you’re having to tug an excessive amount of on the belt, attempt lifting the deck a bit to assist launch the belt.
Clear Up and Inspection
That is your midway mark — congratulations! However don’t rush to swap in a brand new belt simply but. Now that you simply’re gazing into the stomach of the beast, you could be noticing some gunk, grime, and gore that’s amassed below the hood. In case you’re questioning tips on how to clear treadmill belts, pull out your vacuum cleaner and seize a material, as a result of all you should do is suck up and wipe down any mud or particles you see.
Take your material and wipe down the deck and rollers, and remove any free particles together with your vacuum and a hose attachment. You’ll desire a clear floor earlier than you progress on to the next step.
Putting in the New Treadmill Belt
You may lay your outdated treadmill belt towards your new treadmill belt to be sure to ordered the right dimension — simply remember that your outdated belt could also be a tad bit longer since they’ll stretch out with use.
Belt Placement
Slide your new belt onto the treadmill deck, taking time to ensure it feels centered.
Substitute the Entrance Curler
In case you took it off earlier, now it’s time to place it again on. Reattach the entrance curler with the belt looped over it. Substitute any screws and bolts that maintain the curler in place. You’ll additionally need to be sure to resecure the belt drive right here as properly. Be sure the drive belt traces up straight on the curler to keep away from any squeaking when you’re up and operating.
Substitute the Rear Curler
Be sure to position the rear curler again in with the identical orientation it needed to start with. In case you eliminated any bolts from the curler, remember to exchange them.
Take your time right here to ensure the opening on the curler traces up with the bolt, so that you’re not cross-threading the bolt when tightening. These bolts ought to screw again in with out an excessive amount of pressure.
Belt Pressure
The strain bolts are located close to the rear of the treadmill. Utilizing a wrench or hex key, alter these 1 / 4 flip at a time, alternating back and forth to maintain the adjustment symmetrical till the belt is cosy however not too tight. A flip to the correct ought to tighten, and a flip to the left ought to loosen this adjustment.
To seek out the correct stress, it’s best to be capable of carry the belt about 3 or 4 inches off of the deck. For a extra detailed look into creating the proper match, take a look at our information on tips on how to alter a treadmill belt.
Belt Alignment
Together with your hand, rotate the rollers to examine that the belt is centered. If the belt isn’t aligned, make small changes to at least one stress bolt at a time, checking with every adjustment the way it impacts how the belt strikes on the rollers.
Nearly Achieved!
When you’re happy with the belt alignment, you’re able to put all of the items again collectively and take a look at out your arduous work.
Put the Motor Cowl Again On
Reattach the motor hood utilizing the screws you beforehand eliminated. Don’t overtighten these screws, since you could need to pop again in to make some further changes after a take a look at run.
Take a look at It Out
Go forward and plug the treadmill again in and slot within the security key. Flip the treadmill on and, with out hopping on the belt, flip the velocity to its slowest setting. Observe how the belt runs. If all the things seems to be clean and centered, you’re all set!
Don’t despair in the event you discover you should return in and make further changes. If the belt isn’t operating the way in which you had hoped — it’s too free or shifting back and forth — take the motor cowl off and mess around with the belt stress once more. In case your rear curler isn’t stage, the belt can shift to a aspect and rub in your drive pulley or the edges of your body and trigger harm to your new treadmill strolling belt.
Belt Lubrication
Now that you simply’re pleased with the alignment of your new treadmill belt, it’s time so as to add some lube (if wanted). Whereas it’s finest to comply with the producer’s directions, listed below are the overall steps for tips on how to lubricate a treadmill.
- Unplug your energy twine and energy off your treadmill.
- Carry the belt gently on one aspect, creating a spot between the belt and the deck.
- Apply a skinny strip of lubrication to the underside of the belt, beginning and stopping about 6 inches from the entrance and finish of the deck.
- Repeat on the opposite aspect.
- If utilizing spray lubrication, spray below the belt onto the middle of the deck, shifting from the entrance of the treadmill to the again.
- Decrease the belt again onto the lubed-up deck.
- Together with your fingers, manually push the belt in order that the lubrication spreads out throughout the deck beneath. You can even run your treadmill at a low velocity for a couple of minutes (with out you on high of it), to assist unfold out the lubrication.
To assist delay the lifespan of your operating belt, it’s a good suggestion to lubricate your deck each three months or round each 130 miles. See our roundup of the finest treadmill lubricants that will help you get began.
Ultimate Phrase
“Fitness center gear producers have acknowledged the pattern towards dwelling health and in response have produced higher-quality dwelling treadmills than we’d’ve seen 5 or 10 years in the past,” says Amanda Capritto, our professional reviewer. This rise in dwelling use additionally implies that manufacturers have grow to be extra conscious in regards to the wants of their prospects with regards to treadmill upkeep.
Whereas we’ve laid out the fundamentals of tips on how to exchange a treadmill belt, you’ll additionally discover quite a lot of on-line movies, manuals, and guides that will help you deal with this chore. In case your treadmill belt has seen higher days, contemplate referencing this step-by-step information that will help you give your gear the glow-up it deserves. As soon as your new belt is on, you’ll be again to your common treadmill exercises very quickly.
FAQs: Tips on how to Substitute a Treadmill Belt
Are you able to exchange a treadmill belt by your self?
Sure! Changing a treadmill belt shouldn’t take an excessive amount of effort. Whilst you gained’t want an additional pair of fingers, it’s finest to come back ready with the instruments you’ll want, the consumer handbook, and a bit little bit of endurance.
How a lot does it price to interchange a treadmill belt?
In case you’ve perused the necessities and steps wanted to interchange your treadmill belt and would slightly rent another person to undertake the duty, you may count on to pay between $200 and $400 for labor and supplies.
How do I do know if I would like to interchange my treadmill belt?
You’ll need to do a visible inspection of your belt to examine for rips, break up seams, and curled or fraying edges. In case you’re uncertain how outdated the belt is, it’s also possible to do a visible examine beneath to see how a lot construct up there may be. A brand new treadmill belt’s underside might be white, and an older and extra worn-out belt will usually be brown and soiled.
References
- NordicTrack consumer manuals obtain. (n.d.). NordicTrack. https://nordictrack.manymanuals.com/