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Adjusting Tension on a Treadmill Running Belt
It is necessary to properly tension a treadmill belt when it is replaced. After time, a belt can stretch and may begin to slip. When this happens, it is necessary to adjust the tension of the running belt to stop it from slipping. Manufacturers of treadmills generally agree on one of three procedures for how to tension a treadmill running belt.
Adjust for no slippage of the treadmill walking belt on the front roller (Often referred to as the "Stomp Test")
This procedure works well for a previously installed belt that is now slipping.
Underside of belt should be free of any glazing/wax buildup.
Rollers must also be free of wax buildup.
Be sure belt tracking/centering is correct before proceeding.
The most popular speed for this adjustment is 2mph to 3mph.
Try to slow the belt by applying pressure with your foot against the belt movement while grasping the handrails. If the running belt slow, slips or stops (and the front roller does not) adjust BOTH adjustment bolts 1/4 turn clockwise. Test again and repeat adjustment if necessary.
This procedure works well when installing a new belt.
This procedure requires you to stretch the belt. Depending on the manufacturer*, this varies between .4 and .6 percent. A dial on the gauge or caliper will indicate the amount of stretch. *Consult the owner/service manual for proper tension.
If you are working on a previously tensioned belt you will need to release the tension before attaching the gauges or calipers.
Gauges or Calipers unavailable
Release the tension on the belt.
Using a yard stick or tape measure, place two marks on the left and right edges of the belt and deck 36 inches apart (or 50 inches if you prefer).
Adjust the left and right tensioning bolts until both sides measure 36 3/16 inches (or 50 1/4). This is equal to .5% of stretch.
Test for proper tracking and tension, adjust if necessary.
Adjusting Tension on a Treadmill Running Belt
It is necessary to properly tension a treadmill belt when it is replaced. After time, a belt can stretch and may begin to slip. When this happens, it is necessary to adjust the tension of the running belt to stop it from slipping. Manufacturers of treadmills generally agree on one of three procedures for how to tension a treadmill running belt.
Adjust for no slippage of the treadmill walking belt on the front roller (Often referred to as the "Stomp Test")
This procedure works well for a previously installed belt that is now slipping.
Underside of belt should be free of any glazing/wax buildup.
Rollers must also be free of wax buildup.
Be sure belt tracking/centering is correct before proceeding.
The most popular speed for this adjustment is 2mph to 3mph.
Try to slow the belt by applying pressure with your foot against the belt movement while grasping the handrails. If the running belt slow, slips or stops (and the front roller does not) adjust BOTH adjustment bolts 1/4 turn clockwise. Test again and repeat adjustment if necessary.
This procedure works well when installing a new belt.
This procedure requires you to stretch the belt. Depending on the manufacturer*, this varies between .4 and .6 percent. A dial on the gauge or caliper will indicate the amount of stretch. *Consult the owner/service manual for proper tension.
If you are working on a previously tensioned belt you will need to release the tension before attaching the gauges or calipers.
Gauges or Calipers unavailable
Release the tension on the belt.
Using a yard stick or tape measure, place two marks on the left and right edges of the belt and deck 36 inches apart (or 50 inches if you prefer).
Adjust the left and right tensioning bolts until both sides measure 36 3/16 inches (or 50 1/4). This is equal to .5% of stretch.
Test for proper tracking and tension, adjust if necessary.
Replacing a Treadmill Running Belt and Deck
Following is a basic guideline of removing and replacing the running belt and deck on a treadmill. Due to different brands and designs of treadmills, the following should only be used as a guideline. If any of the information is not exact to the treadmill being serviced, refer to the service manual or call Sportsmith for further help.
Tools Needed: Phillips Screwdriver, Set of Allen Wrenches, Set of Box End or Open Face Wrenches (Tools needed may vary depending on treadmill. )
Switch the Power off on the unit.
Next, unplug the unit from the wall.
Remove the finger guard retaining screws and carefully remove the finger guards from the deck at each end of the rear roller.
Loosen each rear roller bolt by 10 full turns. Then count the remaining turns necessary to remove the rear roller bolts. Remember to write down the number of turns needed to remove the bolts in each side for future reference.
Carefully remove the rear roller from the unit. Clean any wax or debris buildup from the roller and place it aside.
Raise the shroud and secure it with a bungee cord.
Work the drive belt off the motor pulley by hand turning the flywheel while pushing the belt aside.
Now remove the front roller retaining bolts.
Carefully remove the front roller from the unit. Clean off any wax or debris buildup and set it aside.
Loosen and remove the deck mounting hardware.
Move the deck toward the left side of the frame to free the deck from the right side. The deck will move down once the frame has been cleared.
Remove the deck and belt by raising the right side edge of the deck over the frame rail and sliding it to the right to remove.
When installing a new belt or deck it is important to note that a new belt and deck surface should always be installed together. Failure to adhere to this guideline will severely shorten the life of the newly installed parts. Some decks can be used on both sides. However, be sure that each side is only used once. Be sure to install the belt in the proper direction on the unit.
Install the belt and deck by first putting the belt on the deck, and then installing them from the right side as a unit.
Be sure the deck is lined up with the frame and push the deck to the left side.
Now carefully lower the right side of the deck to insert it into the frame rail and then push the deck to the right as far as possible.
Re-install deck mounting hardware. (Check with mfr. for proper torque during install process.)
Carefully place the front roller on the deck under the belt and push it forward into place, while placing the drive belt on the inside of the drive pulley.
Replace the front roller bolts. (Check with mfr. for proper torque during install process.)
Now spin the roller by hand while pushing the drive belt onto the pulley. Be sure to spin the roller several times to insure complete installation of the drive belt on the pulley.
Install the rear roller into unit. Carefully start each bolt and turn one to two threads to ensure no cross-threading has occurred.
Tighten each rear roller bolt the number of turns you kept earlier for reference.
Now, Plug in and power on the unit.
Carefully remove the bungee cord from the shroud and lower it back into place.
Start the unit at a very slow speed and check for proper belt alignment. Remember to start at the slowest speed possible and be ready to stop the unit quickly if needed.
If the belt is moving to right side of unit tighten the right roller bolt, If the belt is moving to the left side of the unit tighten the left roller bolt until the belt is tracking properly.
Caution: make very small adjustments such as 1/4 turns and then watch the belt for several moments before making another adjustment.
Once the belt is tracking properly walk on the unit at a slow speed and check for belt slippage on foot fall. If this is happening tighten each of the rear roller bolts equal turns until the slippage is no longer occurring. Caution: make very small adjustments such as ¼ turns and then watch the belt for several moments before making another adjustment.
Now use the unit at a jogging speed to check for belt travel or slippage.
If slippage still occurs make small equal adjustments (1/4 turns) to both sides of rear roller and re-test.
Install the finger guards once you have enough clearance from the rear roller.
Some manufacturers require wax or lube during the install process, please consult your owner's or service manual for further information regarding this.
This concludes our instructions of how to install a replacement treadmill belt and deck.
Replacing a Treadmill Running Belt and Deck
Following is a basic guideline of removing and replacing the running belt and deck on a treadmill. Due to different brands and designs of treadmills, the following should only be used as a guideline. If any of the information is not exact to the treadmill being serviced, refer to the service manual or call Sportsmith for further help.
Tools Needed: Phillips Screwdriver, Set of Allen Wrenches, Set of Box End or Open Face Wrenches (Tools needed may vary depending on treadmill. )
Switch the Power off on the unit.
Next, unplug the unit from the wall.
Remove the finger guard retaining screws and carefully remove the finger guards from the deck at each end of the rear roller.
Loosen each rear roller bolt by 10 full turns. Then count the remaining turns necessary to remove the rear roller bolts. Remember to write down the number of turns needed to remove the bolts in each side for future reference.
Carefully remove the rear roller from the unit. Clean any wax or debris buildup from the roller and place it aside.
Raise the shroud and secure it with a bungee cord.
Work the drive belt off the motor pulley by hand turning the flywheel while pushing the belt aside.
Now remove the front roller retaining bolts.
Carefully remove the front roller from the unit. Clean off any wax or debris buildup and set it aside.
Loosen and remove the deck mounting hardware.
Move the deck toward the left side of the frame to free the deck from the right side. The deck will move down once the frame has been cleared.
Remove the deck and belt by raising the right side edge of the deck over the frame rail and sliding it to the right to remove.
When installing a new belt or deck it is important to note that a new belt and deck surface should always be installed together. Failure to adhere to this guideline will severely shorten the life of the newly installed parts. Some decks can be used on both sides. However, be sure that each side is only used once. Be sure to install the belt in the proper direction on the unit.
Install the belt and deck by first putting the belt on the deck, and then installing them from the right side as a unit.
Be sure the deck is lined up with the frame and push the deck to the left side.
Now carefully lower the right side of the deck to insert it into the frame rail and then push the deck to the right as far as possible.
Re-install deck mounting hardware. (Check with mfr. for proper torque during install process.)
Carefully place the front roller on the deck under the belt and push it forward into place, while placing the drive belt on the inside of the drive pulley.
Replace the front roller bolts. (Check with mfr. for proper torque during install process.)
Now spin the roller by hand while pushing the drive belt onto the pulley. Be sure to spin the roller several times to insure complete installation of the drive belt on the pulley.
Install the rear roller into unit. Carefully start each bolt and turn one to two threads to ensure no cross-threading has occurred.
Tighten each rear roller bolt the number of turns you kept earlier for reference.
Now, Plug in and power on the unit.
Carefully remove the bungee cord from the shroud and lower it back into place.
Start the unit at a very slow speed and check for proper belt alignment. Remember to start at the slowest speed possible and be ready to stop the unit quickly if needed.
If the belt is moving to right side of unit tighten the right roller bolt, If the belt is moving to the left side of the unit tighten the left roller bolt until the belt is tracking properly.
Caution: make very small adjustments such as 1/4 turns and then watch the belt for several moments before making another adjustment.
Once the belt is tracking properly walk on the unit at a slow speed and check for belt slippage on foot fall. If this is happening tighten each of the rear roller bolts equal turns until the slippage is no longer occurring. Caution: make very small adjustments such as ¼ turns and then watch the belt for several moments before making another adjustment.
Now use the unit at a jogging speed to check for belt travel or slippage.
If slippage still occurs make small equal adjustments (1/4 turns) to both sides of rear roller and re-test.
Install the finger guards once you have enough clearance from the rear roller.
Some manufacturers require wax or lube during the install process, please consult your owner's or service manual for further information regarding this.
belt is too loose, belt is too tight, belt is worn out.
Try to lift the belt and get your hand under it in the middle of the deck. If you cannot reach, it is possible that your belt is too tight. Another clue for this would be the belt "curling" on both sides at the edges. Try to loosen the belt, gradually and testing it along the way.
If on the contrary you can easily slide your hand under the belt from one side to the other, it is more likely that the belt is too loose. The squeaking might be due to the belt not being "square" on the deck. Try to loosen it even more until you can slide it with your hands across the deck. And have it aligned evenly at the front and back. Then retighten and adjust the tracking at low speed.
!!! Do not over loosen as the bolts might come out of the back roller.
A worn out belt might squeak and skip when its old.
There are adjustment screws on the very back of the deck… one on each side. 1. You will need a hex wrench that came with your unit (look on the side of the deck) sometimes it is attached to a bracket or look in your plastic bag with your instruction manual. If you cannot find it, do not worry, it is a common “hex” size. Purchase a "multi size” hex wrench at the hardware store" 2. Locate the screws on the back of the treadmill on the deck "where you walk" You will see one on each side. 3. With your wrench in hand, start your treadmill on a low speed and take note of which side the belt is "creeping" to the left or right. 4. If the belt is not centered and over to the left side take your tool and adjust the screw on the left side slowly a few turns until you notice the belt creeping back to the center....usually it does not take much adjustment. 5. Once you start getting the hang of what adjusting each particular screw does to the belt....You will be a pro in no time. 6. Once the belt centered, turn off the treadmill and unplug it. Take your hand and slide it under the belt about midway. The belt should feel "snug" against the deck. If it feels too loose...use your new found adjusting skills to tighten the belt adjusting each side a few turns…unplug…checking for tightness until you feel good about it. 7. Last suggestion: Some treadmills decks need lube to help it run smooth. Without it your deck will get worn and the belt will "stick" to the deck....not good. Buy the lube a sporting goods store or at a place that sells treadmills.If you cannot find any buy some spray on graphite.
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