!8: Treadmill Belt Guide: 2011

!±8± Selecting a Replacement Belt For Treadmill Damages

Your treadmill belt is the part most prone to wear and damage. It is only right, therefore, to know how to maintain it and to know when and how you need to replace it. Your walking belt for treadmill is more delicate because it is more exposed to contact and therefore prone to damage. This article explains the general pointers in doing a check up on the belt as well as how to replace it. How do you check signs of damages?

The deck and the belt are the major components of the treadmill. If the belt is not properly taken cared of, the deck's mechanical operation will also get affected.

Keeping the belt in good shape is important especially if you're using the treadmill everyday. You will know if your belt needs replacement if you notice these items.

- When there are curls on the edges.

- The treadmill speed slows down when you step onto the deck.

- There obvious grooves appear on your treadmill belt.

Generally if the walking surface area of your belt for treadmill looks worn out, you may need to replace the belt. Otherwise, it may only need lubrication or waxing to keep it functional. You will have to replace your belt if there are already signs of obvious damages mentioned above. If you do not have the instruction manual, here are the basic instructions.

Removing the belt

- Make sure the treadmill is unplugged. Your treadmill must not be connected to a power supply.

- Find the hood of the treadmill's motor and remove it.

- Loosen and remove the screws on both sides to take out the rear roller. These are the same screws affecting the tension of the belt.

- The front roller can be removed using the same process. Incline the board if the screws are not accessible.

- Once the screws are removed, you can now take out the front and rear rollers.

- Remove the belt.

Replacing the belt for treadmill

- Lay the new belt and deck together. Slide the belt over the deck and align.

- Install the rollers and fasten the deck to the frame properly and securely.

- The next step is to fasten the belt and deck together with the screws. You may need to adjust the deck to get the screws in.

- Slide the belt in through the rear roller by pulling it to the rear end.

- Adjust the screws a bit to hold the parts together.

- Replace the drive motor belt over the drive gear by sliding the front roller inside the belt.

- Tighten the screws of the front and rear rollers until the belt fits snuggly on the deck.

- You may need to adjust it now that the belt is already in place. The adjustment concept is done by changing the speed to test the tightness and feel of your belt.

The process may sound simple but if you haven't done this before, it's best not to do it yourself. Seek help from someone who has more experience in replacing a belt for treadmill.