I’ve had a Precor tread for over a year now. It has been wonderful, especially, with the harsh winter this year. Have done zero upkeep on it so far. It is starting to make a squeaking noise with footstrike, like the belt is rubbing against the deck? Does anyone have experience with treadmill maintenance or is there a site I can go to for info? What type of routine maintenance is needed to keep it running for years to come.
You need to lubricate the belt. Generally there are screws to loosen up the belt and then you apply the lubricant to the deck underneath the track at the spots where your feet tend to land. I would look up the details in the manual for your unit as there are different lubricants and different manufacturers recommend specific types. You are supposed to be doing this about once a year, depending on your mileage.
I bought a used commercial grade True 825 about 5 years ago and my wife and I have used it hard, especially in the winter. I bought it from a place that buys them off lease from gyms and reburbishes them to like new condition. The tech that delivered it and set it up told me that really the only maintenance it needs is to clean under the belt every 3 to 4 months. He said to take a yard stick and wrap a thin cloth around it and gently wipe under the belt. To be honest, I think I did this twice in the last five years and my treadmill is still running strong (knock on wood). I do wipe it down after every workout and I did take the hood off once to vacuum all the built up dust from the mechanical area.
Is there a belt tensioner on there? When I had a treadmill, I had to retension the belt a couple of times over the years. When it got loose, it would squeak.
Is there a belt tensioner on there? When I had a treadmill, I had to retension the belt a couple of times over the years. When it got loose, it would squeak.
I don’t think so. The belt doesn’t seem to be visibly “loose.” I found the owners manual online (Precor 956i). Seems the only adjustment recommended is for belt movement left or right. It says that the treadmill only needs to be cleaned and none of the parts should be lubricated? Maybe because they want me to pay to a technician to service it?
Definitely read (or download from the Precor site) the manual for your treadmill. I can’t speak to True treadmills but I know that my Sole manual definitely says you should lube.
You can buy very nice treadmill lubrication kits online for not too much money ($20 to $40 roughtly). They come with a big wand that lubes the whole surface of the belt. Very handy. Just be sure you get the right kind of lub.
If it is a commercial treadmill they may not talk about lubing the belt because it is equipped with an automatic waxer. My Life Fitness has one of those. The place I got my replacement belt from said that in the home those don’t work very well. They dispense wax so infreqquently with home use the wax hardens and the nozzle plugs. So they recommend lubing the underside of the belt once a year.
Definitely read (or download from the Precor site) the manual for your treadmill. I can’t speak to True treadmills but I know that my Sole manual definitely says you should lube.
You can buy very nice treadmill lubrication kits online for not too much money ($20 to $40 roughtly). They come with a big wand that lubes the whole surface of the belt. Very handy. Just be sure you get the right kind of lub.
Thanks for the advice, I’ll check into getting the kit. I don’t think it has an auto waxer. Again, the noise is annoying but otherwise harmless (at least I hope)!
Yes, I guess giving them a call is the next step. The problem is that they are about 5 hrs away. Unless, they can help me over the phone, I’m sure they would just “farm” out the job to a tech somewhere nearby.
Agreed. Do not lube a Precor. I also have one, and was told when I bought it not to lube it. That’s why they are called maintenance free decks. I’d try cleaning it first, as suggested, and then if that doesn’t help, call the shop and ask.
Yes, I guess giving them a call is the next step. The problem is that they are about 5 hrs away. Unless, they can help me over the phone, I’m sure they would just “farm” out the job to a tech somewhere nearby.
That must have been some delivery charge! But actually, if you have a Precor dealer closer to you, they (hopefully) have their own service department and could check it out. We do this all the time, since if I take care of you, there’s a good chance you might send one of your fitness-minded friends our way sometime
Precor support line is also very useful. My local dealer wanted $150 service just to look at mine. Precor support sent out their own contracted service person to fix mine and do multiple replacements of belt , motor, control panel, all for free under warranty. There was a known problem with the model which I am sure my dealer also must have known about and was just trying to make an extra $150. So you can also try Precor’s support line if your dealer does not work out.
Yes, I guess giving them a call is the next step. The problem is that they are about 5 hrs away. Unless, they can help me over the phone, I’m sure they would just “farm” out the job to a tech somewhere nearby.
That must have been some delivery charge! But actually, if you have a Precor dealer closer to you, they (hopefully) have their own service department and could check it out. We do this all the time, since if I take care of you, there’s a good chance you might send one of your fitness-minded friends our way sometime
-Physiojoe
Too funny! Yea, my wife is a wellness director of a company with offices all over. She bought multiple pieces from the company so we purchased one for ourselves (at a pretty good discount). I’m just trying to get rid of the crazy, squeaky noises
Precor support line is also very useful. My local dealer wanted $150 service just to look at mine. Precor support sent out their own contracted service person to fix mine and do multiple replacements of belt , motor, control panel, all for free under warranty. There was a known problem with the model which I am sure my dealer also must have known about and was just trying to make an extra $150. So you can also try Precor’s support line if your dealer does not work out.
Thanks for the idea. I may give that a try as well.
Hi Joe, what kind of maintenance would you recommend for a vision 9550 folding treadmill and how often? I bought one new in December and I want to maintain it so it lasts. I’ve heard you might need a wax wand? Is it necessary?
Hi Joe, what kind of maintenance would you recommend for a vision 9550 folding treadmill and how often? I bought one new in December and I want to maintain it so it lasts. I’ve heard you might need a wax wand? Is it necessary?
Thanks
Yup. I sell the slic-stik wax for Vision treads. You should be able to find it for about $15- just wax at the end of a plastic wand with a handle.
You’ll want to swipe it onto the deck every 4-8 months depending on use, especially in the middle and the spot you tend to run the most. It is best to do it once it is warmed up, then walk a mile or two to get it spread evenly.
If for some reason you cant find it around you, give me a shout and I can send you one.