Stair Stepper lost tension (effort)

Hi
The tension knob should have a plus and a minus on it if you turn it towards plus it should make the stepping harder and obviously the minus makes it easier
Hope this helps Nick

Experienced woodworkers go to great lengths when building stairs to limit the possibilities of movement that tends to cause noise.

First of all the best timber is required, nice straight grains and well seasoned so it is unlikely to move far due to shrinkage/expansion, warping or twisting.

Once good timber has been obtained, the cutting and preparation should be as accurate as possible. If this is so the minimum of fixings will be required and the stairs will be sound and silent. Difficult to maintain such quality in practice and as once built it tends to be impractical to take them down to rectify faults, the stairs will be assembled with a good quality glue, such as PVA or polyeurathane.

For added reinforcement two or three glue blocks will be added at each tread to riser joint while the stairs are still firmly clamped and the clamps will remain until the glue is fully cured. The glue blocks don't need pinning but I would use a couple in each block.

Nailed timber that moves tends to squeak more than if left to float.

You need to discover which component is moving - where the bad joint or timber is and then clamp or ***** to close the joint tightly after forcing glue into the open joint. Watching carefully above and below while someone else makes the stair creak will help.
Slack rebates can be tightened with lots of glue and a number of hardwood wedges driven into any gaps on the unloaded side. Star dowels through the string can help secure a tread moving in a string rebate.

Once the cause of the squeak is found, the joint glued as far as possible and fully closed and any slack rebates glued and wedged, adding a few glue blocks to each tread to riser and riser to tread joint will provide a permanent cure.

The best way to identify exactly which accessory or component is making noise is to use a mechanics stethescope with a pointed tip on it. If you do not have access to one, the next best thing is to remove the serpentine belt and feel each individual pulley for binding or play. Also try to spin each pulley fast enough to create the noise.

Replacement Parts for Fitness Exercise Equipment at SPORTSMITH

This video covers the installation and adjustment of the Eccentric Hub Assembly for the Stairmaster 4400PT/CL and 4600PT/CL Steppers.
The video begins with the Eccentric Hub Assembly removed from the unit. If you need help removing the Eccentric Hub Assembly from your stepper, please see our video about the Eccentric Hub Assembly Removal.
Tools Needed: Socket Wrench, 7/16" Socket, Adjustable Wrench or 7/16" Wrench

• Begin by placing your HTD toothed belt around its pulleys. This allows you to set the proper belt tension before mounting the Eccentric Hub Assembly to the frame. The "egg" shape of the Eccentric Hub allows for adjustment of the belt tension. Rotate the hub counter clockwise to tension the belt. Proper belt tension allows about ¼" of play.
• Line up the 4 bolts through the Eccentric Hub Assembly and the frame. Be sure to place the bolts facing the same direction as noted from removal of the old Eccentric Hub Assembly.
• Once all the bolts are aligned, retighten them to the frame using the socket wrench with socket on one side and the other wrench on the opposite side.
• Reinstall the poly-v alternator belt.
• The Eccentric Hub Assembly installation and adjustment is now complete.

Stairmaster 4400 4600 Eccentric Hub Installation Adjustment

Video of Shroud Removal for Stairmaster Steppers 4400 4600

Why does one pedal drop on my Stairmaster Stepper but the other pedal operates correctly? Stairmaster Steppers, How to Troubleshoot when one Pedal Drops (Loses Resistance) while the Other Pedal Operates Correctly

• If one pedal drops while the other operates correctly on your Stairmaster stepper, this problem commonly occurs when the drive sprocket on one side or the other becomes defective
• Usually, when one drive sprocket fails, the other isn't too far behind
• The best approach to resolve this problem is to install a new hub assembly

This can cause a clunking sound. For the replacement parts, please see the link below.

Why does one Pedal Drop on my Stairmaster Stepper

Check your tensioner pulley -- if you do not have enough tension on the serpentine belt, it will slip on the pulleys and cause a squeaking noise (very loud and high pitched). if you push on the serpentine belt with your hand, it should not more more than about an inch -- if it does, you are low on tension. If it does not have any give at all, then you have too much tension, and one of your pulleys might not be turning properly, causing that same noise. If your tension is right, and your car is still making that noise ... and belt dressings (the spray you probably used) are not working to stop it, then it might be a piece of rubber stuck on one of the pulleys, but this usually will not make that sound ... just smoke and a burned rubber smell.

Replacement Parts for Fitness Exercise Equipment at SPORTSMITH

This sounds like either an alternator issue or the brushes in the alternator. I am going to attach some troubleshooting videos.
Stairmaster Stepper 4400PT Parts Chain Pedal Arm Fastener SPORTSMITH net

I would inspect and change anything that is worn call Nation Gym parts @ 1-800-496-7278 or go to Gymparts.com,then go to Parts click on to Stairmaster you will find kits to replace all movable parts for your unit.