Oh no! Your treadmill belt has become a burden. You have an injury to your best friend, the one who kept you fit through lockdown. A creased or folded belt can ruin your treadmill experience and cause damage to the internal parts of the machine.
Fortunately, fixing a folded, wrinkled or creased belt isn’t as challenging as you think. It’s like your treadmill pulled a hammy – it just needs some TLC. There’s no need to abandon your treadmill or throw it away over belt problems. Read Here: 10 Best Nordictrack Treadmills
The reality is treadmills get belt problems, regardless of the manufacturing brand. Learning how to handle these maintenance issues by yourself can save you hundreds of dollars in servicing fees. This post looks at how to fix a treadmill belt that is folded in seven easy steps.
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- How Often Should You Buy New CrossFit Shoes?(*7*)
- How Much Electricity Does a Treadmill Use?(*7*)
- How to Choose a Treadmill for Home Use(*7*)
- Can I Walk on a Treadmill While Pregnant?(*7*)
What Causes Treadmill Belts to Fold?
Treadmills can be simple machines that follow basic operating principles. The belt runs over the platform at high speed, with rollers designed to keep the belts tracking in place as you run.
The friction between the belt’s edge and your feet on the platform increases with speed. Your run speed will determine how much friction you create. When the materials in the belt experience an increase in heat due to the added friction, it makes the belt pliable and easier to distort.
As a result, the belt may start to shift slightly under your feet. This can cause the belt to shift under your feet, creating creases or rippling. The tension between the belt’s and rollers will be lessened if you use the treadmill every day.
When combined with friction, it’s possible for you to fold or crease the belt during operation. Your treadmill needs regular maintenance to remain in tip-top condition.
If you have never serviced the machine, and it’s over a year old, then the chances are the rollers and belt are loose, and that’s the cause of the problem.
Can I Fix a Folded Treadmill Belt?
Treadmill belts have a single-use design. If they experience a fold, creases, or ripples, you’re going to need to throw away the belt and fit a new belt to the machine. The belt can be made to ripper and crease by tightening its tension and the rollers.
However, running a damaged belt in the machine make causes faults to occur in other working parts. It’s always the better option to replace the belt. Contact the manufacture or dealer for a quote on a replacement part.
What are the Tools Required for Repairing the Treadmill?
Our first stop on how to fix a treadmill belt that is folded involves identifying the right tools for the job. You’re going to be taking apart certain machine components, and you need the right tools for the job.
- You will need a flathead or star screwdriver. It all depends on which manufacturer you have.(*7*)
- An Allen wrench (typically included with the purchase on your machine).(*7*)
- Safety gloves.(*7*)
- A replacement treadmill belt.(*7*)
- Plenty of patience.(*7*)
Look for the owner’s manual that came with your machine. The booklet should contain instructions on how to change the belt. If you don’t have the manual, you’ll have to search for your specific model number online or call the manufacturer and ask them to email you the instructions.
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- How to Build a Workout Bench Out of Wood(*7*)
- How Often Should You Buy New CrossFit Shoes?(*7*)
- How Much Electricity Does a Treadmill Use?(*7*)
- How to Choose a Treadmill for Home Use(*7*)
- Can I Walk on a Treadmill While Pregnant?(*7*)
How to Fix a Treadmill Belt That is folded: In 7 Easy Steps
If the treadmill belt has folds or creases in it, it means the tracking for the machine is off. If there are minor folds, wrinkles, or creases, you might get away with a simple adjustment to correct the problem.
Safety first, unplug your treadmill’s power cord. Next, locate the problem side of your belt. The looser roller will cause the belt to slip more towards the platform side.
The motor cover is located at the front. The motor cover should be removed and the treadmill platform pulled up.
Locate the bolts on the treadmill’s rear end. If you can’t find them, you’ll need to remove the side foot rails of the machine to access them. The footrails typically have Philips-head screws that are easy to remove with a screwdriver.
Use the Allen wrench supplied with your treadmill to loosen the roller bolts. The Allen key can be purchased at your local hardware store if you lose or misplace it. Ask the attendant at the store for a recommendation on the right size for the job.
Turning them clockwise will tighten their belts. Anti-clockwise turns to loosen the belt. It’s important not to overtighten the bolts. Overtightening may cause strain against the electric motor, causing it to burn out. If the roller bolts require more than a full turn, tighten the other side of the machine as the entire belt may be loose.
If the damage to the treadmill belt is extensive, you’re going to need to replace it. Damaged belts can ruin the rollers and place unnecessary strain on the motor, reducing the machine’s service life. How to fix a treadmill belt that is folded might seem like a complicated task, but it’s easy if you follow these instructions.
Loosen the treadmill rollers on either side of the machine to the fully loose position. You’ll find that it’s easy to lift the roller out of the housing when it’s in the fully loose position. Lift the belt up over the roller and take it off the platform. Replace the worn belt by a new one and put the roller back in the housing.
Tighten the rollers equally until the belt is tight, but don’t overtighten.
Before reassembling the treadmill, you’ll need to check that the belt is tracking straight during operation. Start the machine at a low speed and look at the belt as it moves over the platform.
Tighten either side of the machine using the roller bolts to compensate for the shift in the tracking. It may take a few attempts to get the belt running straight. Make sure you never use the treadmill if the belt isn’t perfectly straight, as you’ll wrinkle or fold your new replacement.
For the best tension on the belt, you’ll need to ensure that it has three to four inches of free-play away from the platform. Motor performance will suffer if it is too tight.
After you’re satisfied that the belt is tracking correctly, it’s time the reassemble the machine. Reverse the steps you took to disassemble the treadmill and replace the footrails if necessary. This is the standard procedure for most models.
Release the latch by pulling up the platform. Set the platform in a flat position. Attach the frame by tightening the corner bolts. Attach the motor cover and attach your footrails. Make sure all screws are hand-tight and don’t over-tighten, or you’ll strip the threads.
Read More:
- How to Build a Workout Bench Out of Wood(*7*)
- How Often Should You Buy New CrossFit Shoes?(*7*)
- How Much Electricity Does a Treadmill Use?(*7*)
- How to Choose a Treadmill for Home Use(*7*)
- Can I Walk on a Treadmill While Pregnant?(*7*)
How Do I Maintain My Treadmill Belt?
It’s important for treadmill users to create a maintenance schedule for the machine. Maintaining your treadmill doesn’t have to take much time if you do it when needed. Regular maintenance can extend the service life of your running belt and motor, which will allow you to enjoy optimal performance.
A well-maintained treadmill belt can last up to 2-years or more, even with frequent use. The belt’s maintenance can also increase the motor’s service life. Motors can last more than 10 years with proper maintenance. Read Here: The Best Treadmill For Heavy Person Reviews
To maintain your treadmill properly, you’ll need to clean the belt and platform every two weeks and lubricate the belt rollers every 3-months. If you’re a heavy user of your treadmill, then you might have to adjust your schedule to accommodate smaller windows of time between maintenance sessions.
How Can I Tell If My Treadmill Belt is Worn Out?
By now, you should have a solid understanding of how to fix a treadmill belt that is folded. However, it’s also important to know when your treadmill belt is worn out and in need of replacement. Running on threadbare belts can also cause injuries and malfunctions to the machine.
You should inspect the belt for signs of fraying or curling. Examine the seams for signs that they are fraying or tearing. These two areas represent the most common parts of the belt where you’ll notice the first signs of wear.
If your treadmill is under warranty, the manufacturer may offer you a free replacement within a warranty period. However, if your machine is outside of the warranty period, you’ll need to purchase a replacement. The manufacturer can provide replacements or they can be ordered from the dealer who sold the treadmill. Read Here: Top Five Best Treadmills For Seniors – Reviews & Buyers Guide
The average cost of a replacement belt for the machine varies between $150 to $350, depending on the manufacturing brand. However, it’s much more affordable than buying a new treadmill and easy to replace if you follow the steps in this guide.
FAQ:
What is a treadmill belt?
A treadmill belt is a circular piece of material that runs on the deck of a treadmill and supports the user’s feet.
How often should I replace my treadmill belt?
It depends on how frequently and intensely you use your treadmill, but on average, a treadmill belt can last anywhere from 300 to 500 hours.
How do I measure my treadmill belt size?
You can measure your treadmill belt size using a tape measure to measure the length and width of the belt in inches. Alternatively, you can check the model number of your treadmill and look up the belt size online.
How do I lubricate my treadmill belt?
You can lubricate your treadmill belt by applying a thin layer of silicone-based lubricant to the underside of the belt, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
How do I adjust the tension of my treadmill belt?
You can adjust the tension of your treadmill belt by using an Allen wrench to turn the rear roller bolts on either side of the deck. Turning the bolts clockwise will tighten the belt, while turning them counterclockwise will loosen the belt.
Read More:
- How to Build a Workout Bench Out of Wood(*7*)
- How Often Should You Buy New CrossFit Shoes?(*7*)
- How Much Electricity Does a Treadmill Use?(*7*)
- How to Choose a Treadmill for Home Use(*7*)
- Can I Walk on a Treadmill While Pregnant?(*7*)
