tightening a treadmill belt?

311Phil

Anyone have any info on this? My parents have a treadmill that they no longer use. Last time i used it it almost came to a stop when i stepped on it because the belt seems to be loose. Anyone have any information on how to fix this? If i can fix it I'd like to take it from my parents house and move it up to my house.

Patrick1853

My wife's treadmill has two set screws at the end of the treadmill that you adjust with a allen wrench. You may be able to find a manual for it online if you know the manufacturer.

tdonlin

My treadmill has an adjustment screw at the end of the belt that uses a large allen wrench. I am guessing that most are probably different. Just google for the owner's manual with the make and model #.

dhiggins8

YEs there should be the adjustment screws at the end of the belt. be sure to adjust them evenly so the belt tracks correctly and not to one side. if the belts rides to the left then the right side is tighter and vice versa. hope this helps and you get it working.

runningneo122

My wife's treadmill has two set screws at the end of the treadmill that you adjust with a allen wrench. You may be able to find a manual for it online if you know the manufacturer.

http://fitness.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/proform/proform_treadmill_product_list.html

If they don't have it ...not likely to find it.

mikeyml

It's a total pain in the a**! I've done it on my treadmill twice while going through the lubrication process. It all depends on how yours tightens up. Mine has two screws in the back end that can be turned with an allen wrench. If it's not tightened enough then you will feel the belt slip when you walk on it. If it's tightened too much it will overheat and the motor will burn out.

You're supposed to stick the allen wrench in the screws and loosen them all the way until the belt can be lifted up. Count the number of times you turn the wrench so that you know how many times to turn it when tightening. Since the treadmill has been sitting for a while I would take a damp, lint-free cloth and clean out the deck under the belt. Then get a silicone based lubricant from ****'s or Sears and apply it in a horizontal line under the tread belt, similar to tooth paste. It should be about where your feet hit the treadmill when walking or running.

Then use the allen wrenches to tighten the belt up. Make sure you tighten both the left and right screws so that they are even. Mine takes about 13-15 complete turns. Turn the treadmill on and let it run at 3.0 mph for approx. 3 minutes. You will notice if the belt is tracking down the center of the deck during this time. You should be able to change the tracking by tightening or loosening the same screws you just used. Turning the screws clockwise will cause the belt to track to the right and counterclockwise will cause it to track to the left. Once the belt is tracking down the middle then start walking on the treadmill for about 5 min. to spread the lubricant. During this time you will notice if the belt is slipping or if it seems sturdy. If it is slipping then adjust the tightness and tracking again as necessary.

Or just call a treadmill mechanic and be done with it. I will probably do that from no on because it is frustrating.

runningneo122

It's a total pain in the a**! I've done it on my treadmill twice while going through the lubrication process. It all depends on how yours tightens up. Mine has two screws in the back end that can be turned with an allen wrench. If it's not tightened enough then you will feel the belt slip when you walk on it. If it's tightened too much it will overheat and the motor will burn out.

You're supposed to stick the allen wrench in the screws and loosen them all the way until the belt can be lifted up. Count the number of times you turn the wrench so that you know how many times to turn it when tightening. Since the treadmill has been sitting for a while I would take a damp, lint-free cloth and clean out the deck under the belt. Then get a silicone based lubricant from ****'s or Sears and apply it in a horizontal line under the tread belt, similar to tooth paste. It should be about where your feet hit the treadmill when walking or running.

Then use the allen wrenches to tighten the belt up. Make sure you tighten both the left and right screws so that they are even. Mine takes about 13-15 complete turns. Turn the treadmill on and let it run at 3.0 mph for approx. 3 minutes. You will notice if the belt is tracking down the center of the deck during this time. You should be able to change the tracking by tightening or loosening the same screws you just used. Turning the screws clockwise will cause the belt to track to the right and counterclockwise will cause it to track to the left. Once the belt is tracking down the middle then start walking on the treadmill for about 5 min. to spread the lubricant. During this time you will notice if the belt is slipping or if it seems sturdy. If it is slipping then adjust the tightness and tracking again as necessary.

Or just call a treadmill mechanic and be done with it. I will probably do that from no on because it is frustrating.

Get the owner's manual first. Mine said DO NOT USE SILICONE. Silicone can damage the belt and cause early failure. I use a paste wax that I have for furniture refinishing.

mikeyml

Get the owner's manual first. Mine said DO NOT USE SILICONE. Silicone can damage the belt and cause early failure. I use a paste wax that I have for furniture refinishing.

I guess they're all different. Mine says the exact opposite. "The proper kit should be silicon based, NOT paraffin wax. You can also purchase SOLE lubricant from our website www.soletreadmills.com under the products tab."

If the treadmill is a SOLE then you can get the owner's manual directly off their website under technical support. If it is a Sole F63 and bought within the last 2 years then the manual link is: http://www.soletreadmills.com/pdf/manuals_2009/SOLE_F63_2009.pdf Read pages 23 - 25.

Dalejr

I have the same issue. I feel like I am slipping, but it seems that the belt is stopping when I run on it. I took off the motor cover and there are shreds of the motor belt everywhere.

mikeyml

I have the same issue. I feel like I am slipping, but it seems that the belt is stopping when I run on it. I took off the motor cover and there are shreds of the motor belt everywhere.

Yea I guess to be on the safe side he should take the motor cover off and look for wear on the drive belt (it connects the motor to the front roller). If the belt is in good condition then don't mess with it. Just vacuum out the area and put the cover back on. If it's torn up like the Dalejr's then it needs to be replaced by a professional.

13011nvh

the walking belt might be worn and need to be replaced