Last Updated: August 9th, 2022
Like any other mechanical part, treadmill belts are also prone to damage. It becomes very necessary to replace the treadmill belt…but how to do that? Here is a step-by-step plan to replace a treadmill belt…Just read on…
Replacing A Treadmill Belt: How To
Below we have provided a very detailed description of how to replace a treadmill belt, the tools that you would need, and which tools you should be avoiding.
Also, we have provided some basic tests that you should perform along the way and the precautions that you should take while replacing the treadmill belt…
Things you will need while replacing the treadmill belt:
- A new treadmill belt
- Hand screwdrivers
- Allen keys
- Socket Set
- Bright color permanent marker
Tools that shouldn’t be used to replace a treadmill belt:
- Power tools
- Pliers
- Vice Grips
These tools may end up damaging your treadmill and that is the last thing that you want to be dealing with.
Steps to replace the belt of a treadmill
- Turn the treadmill off and take the plug out of the socket.
- Take off the motor hood. This is the covering that is on the treadmill deck right under the display. Although mostly made of plastic, if it gets damaged, will cost you around $200-$300 to replace.
- Check the length and width of the treadmill belt by placing it on the treadmill deck. This you are doing before taking apart your treadmill so that if it doesn’t fit, you have not wasted any further efforts.
- The replacement treadmill belt should be slightly longer than the existing belt so that it can accommodate the width of the roller.
- Now open the hood of the treadmill that is generally held in place with a couple of screws. Use the Allen wrenches that work with your brand of the treadmill.
- However, make sure that all the edges of the screws fit perfectly inside the wrench, otherwise, you risk rounding them off.
- Next, you need to remove the rear end cap of the treadmill attached at the free end of the treadmill deck. Unscrew any screws attached and hold them in place.
- This will now come off easily. Check out if there is any other dust guard present underneath the rear end cap and remove that as well.
- Once you have access to the roller adjustment bolts which control the tracking and tension of the walking belt.
- Check if there are any side rail screws and take them off and slide off the rails.
- Next, take off the roller adjustment bolts placed at the rear end of the treadmill. Many of the treadmill brands like Precor have floating front deck and is only attached to the rear end.
- Check if any guard is installed at the back covering the mounting screws.
- Now you can pull the rear roller out.
- If it is a floating deck system, then pull the deck out. Otherwise, take the screws out that are holding it in place.
- The next step is to get out the front roller. There are bolts attached at the end of the roller. Take that off. You can use your hand or a wrench, whichever is preferable to you.
- Dislodge the drive belt that is attached to the other end of the roller.
- Mark the position of the front roller axel with a marker. Next, remove the front roller. Keep the drive belt looped around the roller and do not take that off.
- Now the walking belt is fully unattached from the treadmill.
- Check where the rear bolt holes of the treadmill deck are and make the treadmill deck stand vertically with those bolt holes near the floor.
- To put on the new treadmill belt, slide the treadmill desk into the belt.
- Now hold the treadmill belt on the middle with your two hands so that the treadmill deck is cradled down.
- From this position place the treadmill deck on the treadmill base along with the treadmill belt.
- Line the rear end holes of the treadmill deck up with the frame and get the mounting bolts in.
- Align the axel of the front roller with the marks that you have put down earlier. This will help the belt to be mounted straight.
- Slide the front roller inside the belt and mount the drive belt again to its initial mounted position.
- Mount it on the small pulley first and then on gradually roll the pulley to mount the belt completely.
- Remove the mounting bolts again and slide in the rear roller and place it on the deck. Once you have got that done, simply push the roller backward until it slips into its original place.
- Now put back the mounting screws. If the mounting bolts don’t go right back to their place, don’t worry, it will be taken care of in a later step.
- Align the roller axel with that of the rear adjustment bolt holes and insert a screwdriver to hold it in place. On the other end of the roller, insert the adjustment bolt and screw it down.
- Remove the screwdriver from the other side and insert an adjustment bolt there.
- Now tighten the bolts gradually and use the same number of turns on both sides. The tightness of these screws is such that, they have a little tension on them.
- This should be such that the mounting bolts, that were not sitting easily will just sink into their respective place.
- Now tighten the mounting bolts.
- Now roll the treadmill belt with your hand placed on the treadmilling deck. This way you will be able to find out if there is any obstruction or not.
- Now put on the side rails. They will not slide back on, you will have to place them properly so that they get right into the grooves. Bolt down the slide rails now.
- Pop in the dust guard if any right in.
- Now start the treadmill and check if the belt is tracking correctly. For that just stand on the floor at one side of the treadmill and put a foot on it and start to roll it with your foot.
- If it starts to bunch up then it means the tension is not right. Start adjusting the tension with the rear roller screws with the side where the belt is bunching on.
- Now you will have to apply lube to the treadmill belt and do some tracking.
- Start walking on it with a little speed and in a way that you stomp on it. If the belt doesn’t slip then don’t put any additional tension on it.
- Mount the rear end cap and put the screws in.
- Now place the motor hood in place and you are good to go.
Read more: How to lose weight fast using a treadmill?
How much does it cost to replace a treadmill belt?
The cost of replacing a treadmill belt will be somewhere around $200 to $500 dollars based on the brand, lube you are using if you taking someone’s help. If you call for a professional this cast will be significantly higher.
Typically a good quality treadmill belt costs around $200 to $300. This will be your total cost to replace the belt.
Most of the treadmill belts come with free lube. If not, then the additional cost of the lube is around $14 to $20 unless you have a spare bottle or tube of lubricant lying around.
Next, the heaviest things in this replacement process are the treadmill deck and the rollers. If you don’t have sufficient strength to handle them, you may need someone to help you out. In that case, you may have to pay them an additional $200 to $300 based on the time you would spend to replace the belt.
This cost will run up quickly if you take a professional’s help.
How often to replace the treadmill belt?
Treadmill belts should be replaced after every 3-5 years. Also, it can be replaced after it has been run on for 500-1000 miles.
The time after which you should replace your treadmill belt depends on the usage mainly. If you are a single user of the treadmill, it can be replaced after the said period of time. You can also wait until the mileage on this belt is up.
However, if the number of users is more, then you may have to replace the belt earlier.
The best way to judge the changing time is the number of mileage that has been run on the treadmill rather than the time.
Also, if you use some treadmill belts that are not of high quality, you may have to replace them much earlier, because they will start showing wear and tear early.
How do you know when to replace a treadmill belt?
If the treadmill belt shows signs of wear and tear like shedding around the edges, discoloration, slipping (when previously it was not like that), or if you run your hand underside of the treadmill belt and find it rough then you need to change the treadmill belt. Also, you should run the checks every three months.
Out of the above signs, the most significant ones are the rough underside of the treadmill. Depending on the damage you may have to replace the treadmill belt immediately.
Also, slipping can also be a significant problem as it may lead to unnecessary accidents.
Should you replace your treadmill belt when it is slipping?
No, you should not replace your treadmill belt when it is slipping, provided you have mounted a new treadmill belt. However, if it is an old belt that was not slipping and has suddenly started to slip, then it may be time to replace it.
If it is a new treadmill belt, it may slip if there is an adjustment problem. If you figure out the issue, you can fix it.
However, for older belts, it may be worn off and has started to slip. Also, watch out for any obvious signs of wear and tear as mentioned above. If so, plan to replace your treadmill belt.
Madhusree Basu
Author, Admin
Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.
