Treadmill Belt Slipping,4 causes and how to fix it Easily
If you’ve invested the money into a treadmill, then you’ll likely be very disappointed if it stops slipping. After all, you’ve already spent hundreds on a treadmill, and now it may not even be usable.
Luckily, a slipping treadmill belt is often a fixable issue. With a little bit of know-how, you can often correct treadmill belt slipping without much effort.
In this article, we’ll help you do just that. The fix for your treadmill belt does depend on why it is slipping, to begin with, however. Therefore, our fixes are organized by cause.
Also, you can prevent treadmill trips breaker.
1. Lubrication
Often, improper lubrication will cause the treadmill belt to slip. In fact, this is one of the most common causes of treadmill belt slippage – and one of the easiest to fix.
For a treadmill to work, the treadmill deck has to slide over a series of rollers without much friction. If there isn’t enough lubrication, then the friction will be too high. Not only will the treadmill have difficulty operating, to begin with, but the machine will also slip every now and then.
Luckily, all you need to do to stop this slippage is lubricate the treadmill. Typically, you do this with a silicone-based lubricant. However, most owner manuals will state the specific lubricants they recommend, so we recommend looking in yours before moving forward.
In fact, most owner manuals have a section on lubrication. You can typically find step-by-step information in there on fixing this slippage cause.
Even treadmills that are advertised as “low maintenance” often need lubrication every now and then. In this case, you may have to call in for professional maintenance. It isn’t always possible to lubricate these treadmills by yourself.
2. Worn Drive Belt
If the drive belt is too loose, it can also cause the belt to slip. Often, the belt becomes loose between the motor and the front roller. Luckily, this problem is very easy to test without needing to pull apart the treadmill.
Simply step onto the treadmill when it is on and check to see if the belt stops running. If the engine continues to run but the belt stops, then it is likely a problem with the drive belt and the front roller.
The only possible solution to this problem is to get a new drive belt. Over time, the drive belt will wear down just like it does in any machine. Therefore, you’ll need to replace it eventually if you use the treadmill enough.
Tightening the existing drive belt may simply put excess strain on the motor, which can result in the motor failing. This fix is much more expensive than just changing the drive belt, which is why we recommend just changing the belt, to begin with.
You can check your owner’s manual for instructions on how to change your treadmill’s drive belt. Sometimes, this needs to be done by a service center to keep the warranty valid. Other times, there are DIY instructions in the manual.
3. Deck Belt is Loose
There is a difference between the drive belt and the deck belt. The deck belt is the belt that moves the top of the treadmill – aka, the part you stand on. If this belt is too long, then the deck will occasionally slip due to the extra length.
To check if this is the case, turn your treadmill off and attempt to lift the belt. If it lifts more than a couple of inches, it is too loose. You’ll need to tighten it to prevent further issues.
Luckily, this isn’t a huge problem. You can easily follow the instructions in your owner’s manual to retighten the belt. You’ll need to ensure that you get it just tight enough, though. Be sure to try lifting the belt again after you’re done to ensure that it lifts about two inches.
Overtightening the belt can cause all sorts of problems. The motor will have to work harder to get the belt to move, which will wear out the motor faster. Furthermore, there will be a lot more friction, causing excessive wear on the belt as well.
Plus, the treadmill will be much louder as well due to the increased noise from the motor and the belt.
Therefore, be sure not to overtighten the belt when retightening it.
4. Pulley Lost Grip
Treadmill belts are moved by the front roller. This roller is often called the “driving roller” for this reason. It is connected to the engine and is the only roller that moves independently.
Sometimes, the treadmill belt can literally slip off this roller. When this happens, the belt will stop moving. However, the drive belt and pulley will keep going.
Typically, this problem can be corrected by simply readjusting everything. You can often find out how to do this in the owner’s manual, which may also have some troubleshooting tips to ensure that the pulley really is the issue.
Often, the pulley simply needs to be tightened. Sometimes, you may have to replace it altogether, though. While this problem can be fixed in a DIY manner, you may need to speak to a professional about it. It isn’t always clear why the belt is slipping off the front roller, to begin with, which can make this a more difficult problem to correct.
FAQs Of Treadmill Belt Slipping
Can You Fix a Slipping Belt?
Often, you can fix a slipping treadmill belt. The key is to find the underlying cause of the slippage, which will then allow you to correct the slippage problem. There are several causes of a slipping treadmill belt, and most of these can be fixed inexpensively at home.
However, sometimes, parts need to be replaced. The more you use the treadmill, the faster the parts will get worn down. Of course, the quality of those parts matters too. If the parts are of higher quality, it is likely that they will last longer.
It is important to note that DIY repair jobs might void any warranty on your treadmill. Often, companies require that you use a certified repair shop, which you may or may not have near you. Because treadmills are so large, it is often not possible to ship them to a repair shop, either.
For this reason, it is often very expensive to repair treadmills in this manner. You may find it worth voiding the warranty to save the extra money from the repair shop and possible transportation of the treadmill.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Treadmill Belt?
Typically, it cost between $200 to $300 for the new treadmill belt itself. However, that doesn’t count any labor that you’re paying for as well. If you go through a repair shop, hourly rates can range from $100 to $200.
Luckily, changing a treadmill belt doesn’t typically cost that much money, even with labor. Most repair shops are very fast at repairing these belts since it is one of the more common problems with treadmills. Therefore, they shouldn’t charge you too many hours.
With that said, it is always cheaper to do it yourself. If you decide that you want to do a DIY repair, it may take you a bit longer than the repair guys, but you will save quite a bit of money in the process. Of course, you should remember that DIY repairs often void the warranty, so weigh your options before deciding whether or not to hire professionals.
How Long Do Treadmill Belts Last?
Typically, your average treadmill belt will last for 300 to 500 hours of use, which is about 3 to 5 years for the average user. However, it depends on how well you maintain the treadmill. Be sure to read your owner’s manual to understand exactly what sort of maintenance you need to do, as this will help all your treadmill’s parts last longer.
There are different types of treadmill belts, as well. For instance, 2-ply belts usually last much longer than that -potentially up to 5-10 years.
If you use your treadmill less or more, then you can expect it to last different lengths of time.
If your treadmill is approaching three to five years of age, you’ll likely need to replace the belt soon unless it has a higher-quality belt.
Conclusion Of Treadmill Belt Slipping
Thankfully, most treadmill belt slippage can be corrected through DIY repairs. Often, it just takes retightening a belt or adding some lubricant. Both of these tasks can be accomplished quite quickly once you know what you’re doing. Often, the owner’s manual has information on how to accomplish these tasks.
However, you may occasionally need professional help. Many people aren’t very confident at repairing their expensive treadmills, which is understandable! Other times, DIY repairs may void the warranty. Either way, repairing it yourself isn’t always an option. In these cases, you’ll likely spend more money on the repair since you’ll need to pay the repairmen.
Whatever you choose, the good news is that this problem is often easily corrected. It is usually not a reason to purchase a completely new treadmill.
On the other hand you can read about using the treadmill in an apartment or upstairs.
