Last Updated on November 4, 2021 by Jeff
Unfortunately, most home market treadmills aren’t well-constructed. You might find the treadmill belt worn out in less than a year, which would lead you to consider if you could replace it.
And, luckily, you can and should replace the treadmill belt. So, let this article be your repair guide to replacing the treadmill belt with a manufacturer-approved part.
Should I Replace My Treadmill Running Belt?
Before we get into how to replace the treadmill, let’s consider when to take this step. There are several scenarios in which you’d need to replace a treadmill belt. If it’s physically torn and ripped, that’s a clear indicator.
Also, replace treadmill running belts if they’re frayed or ripped down the center or if they curl up or down, split at the joins, wear thin, or make crackling sounds.
There are other more subtle signs that you might miss, indicating that a treadmill belt needs to be replaced. For instance, the treadmill belt might not be as smooth as it used to be, rendering it increasingly difficult for you to run.
Moreover, it would be best if you also considered how old your treadmill belt is. Typically, a treadmill should last about 7 to 12 years, 10 being the average. If yours has exceeded its lifespan, you might want to invest in a new one.
In that case, we have many treadmills reviews to help you choose a new one. Check out the Weslo Cadence G 5.9 treadmill, best home gym treadmill, lifespan tr1200i, and Nordictrack C 700 treadmills. You’ll surely find some good recommendations.
How to Replace the Belt
Follow these steps to remove the treadmill belt and install a new one.
Removing the Old Treadmill Belt 
- Firstly, unplug the treadmill. It isn’t enough to turn it off because you might get hurt if you accidentally press a button.
- Remove the screws fixing the motor hood in place. This will enable you to extract the motor hood from the front of the treadmill frame.
- Then, locate the front roller bolt and rear roller bolt, and mark their roller positions with a permanent marker.
- Use the bolt at the treadmill’s rear to loosen the walking belt. It should be loose enough to fit a hand underneath.
- Afterward, take out the adjustment bolt at the front roller entirely.
- This method doesn’t work for all treadmill models. If yours is a high-end treadmill, it might have straddle covers with an under-mount or a slide-mount. If there aren’t bolts or staples, don’t move or remove them forcibly.
- However, if there are staples and bolts, you can pop the right-hand side’s plastic deck using a flat head screwdriver or so. Otherwise, if there are screws, you can easily unscrew and remove them.
- After, you can go on separating the 3 or 4 deck bolts from the treadmill. With those out of the way, you can remove the rear roller screws. You’ll also have to remove the plastic end caps and roller.
- It isn’t uncommon for some treadmills to have side handrails on the right-hand side attached to the treadmill’s base. If that’s the case, be sure to remove the handrail.
- This step is where you remove the walking belt, and it requires two individuals, although it’s possible to do it alone. One individual should lift the deck and hold the front roller close to the pulley while the other removes the walking belt.
Installing the New Treadmill Belt 
- Before installing the new treadmill belt, make sure the deck board surface isn’t worn out. And clean the rollers, removing any debris or wax on them. Also, the floor has to be level.
- The first person lifting the deck and holding the front roller shouldn’t drop them before the new treadmill walking belt is installed. The second person can slide the new belt over the board and right side sellers.
- Once the treadmill belt is installed, you can raise the deck and check underneath to ensure the belt is aligned to the center (based on the belt guides sticking down the deck underside).
- Now, you can replace the rear roller and end caps. Afterward, start the rear roller bolts, but make sure not to tighten them yet.
- After fastening the deck bolts, you can tighten them. The front bolts need to be secured, too, and make sure to return the bolt to the position you marked before you removed the treadmill.
- For high-end treadmills with straddle covers, you’ll need to replace them. Otherwise, you’ll have to secure the plastic side deck cover using the screws if they were initially stapled down or fastened.
Tip: To facilitate the deck cover reattachment process, you can use pliers to remove the deck staples.
- According to the marks you made earlier for the rear roller bolts, refit the walking belt by turning the adjustment bolts clockwise. You can tell the walking belt’s tension is suitable if you’re able to lift it 2 to 3 inches at the belt’s center.
- Start the treadmill, and adjust its speed to 4kph. Try walking on the treadmill a few steps to see if the belt slips. If so, you can turn the left and right adjustment bolts once. Then, test the treadmill again. If it still slips, repeat this step until slippage is no longer an issue.
- To center the treadmill belt, increase its speed a bit, and use the left side adjustment bolt to track the belt a quarter of a turn. Do this until the belt is centered correctly.
- When you’re satisfied with your treadmill’s performance, you can put the motor hood back in place.
- Finally, use a silicone lubricant to lubricate the board, and spread it. Running a couple of minutes on the treadmill can help create an even coat.
Final Thoughts
Before replacing the belt, check for the signs we’ve mentioned to ensure that the treadmill belt indeed needs to be replaced. If so, replacing a treadmill walking belt doesn’t have to be done by a professional.
Merely follow the previous steps, and ask a friend to help you out. You can definitely save some cash with this guide and not leave your treadmill to collect dust in a corner. So, what are you waiting for?
