Bowflex M5 Max Trainer Problems and Fixed

[@Endgineered]

This was very helpful. I have mine totally apart trying to determine how much tension is on the belt before I loosen it. Now I know I need to order a brand new pulley. The plastic pins on mine are definitely all sheared off. They need metal shear pins, not plastic ones. Either cost savings or engineered obsolescence. I wish I had the tools to put in some hardened pins, but it would probably just wallow out the plastic wheel. Something will always be the fuse with this kind of stress when plastic is involved

[@petlove4life]

Had the same exact issue with my brand new max trainer m5. The bolts were not tightened which caused this issue. Did the same fix and used loctite

[@markday4348]

They should have used all screws with locktite instead of alignment pins. I would say the screws must have loosened and allowed the alignment pins to shear. I am about to order a M9 so I am researching as much as I can. Thank you for your great video.

[@petlove4life]

Same issue! I feel it was because they didn't tighten down the bolts at the manufacture. When I reassembled the pulley wheel I used loctite. My new issue with this expensive piece of equipment is with the servo. Adjusting the wire is not working. So just ordered a replacement.

[@flyingscot3666]

Hi dude - thx for ur awesome video - My M5 is down at the moment (fix ongoing - electrical - grrrr) so meantime I picked up a used M3 for smallish money from Craigslist - got it home and found an internal clunk - watched ur video - went straight in on the LHS and located the loose bolts that you show in the video - luckily for me the crank puller in my bike toolbox fitted right on - was able to access the bolts and tighten them right up - reassembled & clunk now gone - yippee. If it returns I'll perhaps order the spare part that you did (ref the plastic dowel pins) & also look to use some thread lock. However it all seemed to be in relatively good shape as bolts & washers were all present - they just needed tightened. Once again, thx so much - you absolutely made my day.

[@dananderson5055]

Has the fix held up? I found my bolts were loose and one missing. Tightened them but still getting belt noise.

[@geofreaknl]

My Bowflex max total (M10) is not durable because the bolts are not from stainless steel. Bolts get rusty very quickly when in contact with salt + moist (like sweat). Cleaning after the workout doesn't prevent the corrosion process, because corrosion already starts when some of the sweat evaporates during the workout . Loved endurance workouts on this machine, by far my best home workout experience, but the durability is such a disappointment. Max 1 to 2 year durability if you do long endurance workouts. Local support company (Netherlands) is not helping in anyway, warranty is a joke. Not recommending any Bowflex machine before they take durability serious and fix this.

[@robertzimmerman8910]

I spent ten minutes explaining my story, tried to scroll in the box, and it went to KZbin heaven or hell. It’s not the first time. First, it’s the Max5 then KZbin. I’m quitting while I’m ahead.

[@desmo5514]

Maybe you should be in-charge of quality control and servicing at Bowflex mate...great video, detailed and informative 👍👍

[@jimb9265]

Locktight is great. Can the plastic studs be drilled out and then additional holes with more screws be added or actually positioned anywhere to give more stability?

[@petermaxwell7571]

There seem to be metal inserts in the plastic pully wheel for the four screws. I am not sure the plastice will help hold the pully wheel. FYI, I changed the M6 screws to 1/4-28, they are slightly larger but still work. As well I put metal locknuts on the screws and am currently hoping this solves this issue! Thank you for the original posting!!! I really benefitted.

[@ArikaDiane]

Thank you so much.

[@christinaseppala1427]

What was the name of the part that you ordered? I have the same issue you do.

[@Verinha9]

J'ai pas compris le problème de fond, mise à part que vous aviez des boulons abimés et qu'il fallait les changer. Je pense que l'incompréhension est due à la traduction automatique. De ce fait, en quelques mots, quel est le problème de fond svp ?

[@underscr0e]

Maybe the screws came loose which caused the plastic tabs to shear?

[@AllAmericanAmonson]

underscr0e you are correct. I realized that as I continued working on it. The loose screws cause the tabs to shear. That is one of the primary causes of all these problems. I don’t know how BowFlex didn’t catch that in product testing. When I ordered a new main drive pully it came with new screws that had an additional fitting to tighten...so Bowflex recognized it at some point.

[@DanielFlores-os9fr]

How much is the cost of the parts you ordered online?

[@bowflexm5resistancefix218]

Good work. Thanks. I'm sure that will help someone.

[@khoush614]

I can’t get my foot paddle/ leg to pull off of the crank area to take off that casing to access the wheel to replace it my belt has come off and I have found those plastic pieces on the ground so I’m certain I have the same problem as you! How did you get the leg off to get to that section?

[@TheLostk2]

I had same issue, hold it up and tap it out with a rubber mallet

[@kevinclifford6193]

Rather than buying a new one can you drill and on screw and lock washer?

[@kevinclifford6193]

And big washers to dissipate stress a little.

[@yajiv88]

May I know what size is the nut ? I have to get the crank puller as I can see few screws are missing on mine. Thank you, this really helps.

[@DanielFlores-os9fr]

How much does it cost the parts you ordered on line?

[@davidbruce2159]

workout paused after 4 seconds. I move the speed sensor closer to the fan wheel. fixed it

[@Premium_Bear]

Great Video. Thanks! Have you ever contacted Bowflex regarding this and do you know if these problems still exist in the M8?

[@truthteller6932]

I just bought a M9 and the pedals are very stiff to get started. Almost have to jump on one pedal to get it going, even at the lowest resistance. Is this normal?

[@drphil4ril161]

So the initial problem is that the screws were not tightened to start with

[@tanyawilson3070]

2 of those little things you show at the 3:00 min mark have flown out of my M5 while I was on it. I heard them rattling around and then they eventually came out. How difficult is it to replace/fix this problem.?

[@khoush614]

How do I even get the casing around the crank shaft/belt off?

[@arongatt]

what forums you looked up? And did bowflex fix the issue or still going?

[@jerianderson3844]

Does the elliptical tone your legs?

[@steveareno6696]

Awesome. Thanks

[@Verinha9]

5:14 Extracteur de manivelle pour vélo

[@ahmadabdolsaheb]

Thanks for the video. since you disassembled this, I was wondering if the device would work if I disassemble the fan? it makes a lot of noise and I live in an apartment.

[@jonathan198117]

I have the same issue, the bell keep going out. Don’t know what to do.please help.

[@underscr0e]

So the bugs should be worked out and should be safe to buy one now?!

[@AllAmericanAmonson]

underscr0e I’m not sure if they actually went and corrected this issue or just updated the screws for the replacement part.

[@lesterliby2096]

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FOR THE PRICE PAID, NATALIS HAS PRODUCED A PIECE OF CRAP! THEY EXPECT YOU TO REPAIR THIS YOUR SELF? EVEN IF YOU HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY

[@NesVsLucasGames]

Question is there any replacement on that thing sticking out in 1:48 I had one it broke off and the whole leg fell so I bought a new one but it’s been a year since I had that new one but it happened again that same exact issue I’m not tryna but another one so please if there’s any way I can get that replaced please let me know

[@rivascelena64]

Did anyone answer your question because I am wondering the same thing. That piece broke on my husband last week and we've been looking for that part to replace

[@NesVsLucasGames]

Celena Rivas no this actually happened to me twice i couldn’t find answers the first time so I bought a whole replacement but since the 2nd time and we are in quarantine I feel like just waiting till someone does or if I can find better research about it

[@matgeo]

same problem with my M5... wait a pain. At least it gave me a good excuse not to work out! :) =/

[@jeffreyfox4283]

Could you post the info on crank puller ? I have the same issue with my machine. Thank you !

[@AllAmericanAmonson]

Jeffrey Fox I purchased it on Amazon - name Park Tool Compact Crank Puller. I watched another video to learn how to use it. It wasn’t too bad.

[@jeffreyfox4283]

Thank you

[@lovingit78521]

AllAmericanAmonson what is the part number or size ! Please info

[@Blackhawk556.]

@@AllAmericanAmonson Hello. do you have a link for the crank puller? Also, a link or part number for the black circle with the small tabs that broke? That way I can order one??

[@erice9971]

seems like a whole lot of cheap parts on an expensive machine

[@sushantsahu3033]

This is definitely a bad design. The designer has zero knowledge about design to sustain fatigue under reversible loading. I wanted to buy this machine.. Now I won't.. They don't deserve such high price. What kind of testing they did before releasing the design..

[@Blackhawk556.]

Seriously. I bought the M7 and have this issue. I got it a great price about 5 years ago but this issue popped up and i'm trying to figure it out right now. This video showed me a lot of what I have to do to get this fixed.