How To Adjust Treadmill Belt - Treadmill Repair

This is how to adjust a treadmill belt that may be running crooked, off center, or that could be too loose or too tight. I start off by adjusting the front roller to straighten the angle of the belt. Then I adjust the rear roller to center the belt. I then explain how to tell if your belt is too loose or too tight. My treadmill is a Sole F85. If you have a different treadmill, the overall process should be pretty much the same.
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[@meganbush9469]

I am constantly fiddling with my tread and this is by far the most informative, easy to follow tutorial. Downloaded this for later reference. Thank you so much!

[@SeanCMedina]

Thank you! Your video showing how to tighten and adjust a treadmill belt is so clear! I was concerned about how tight to adjust it, and your 'stomp test' explained it simply. Good job!

[@ladyanneboleyn1533]

I am so glad you posted this!!! I was able to fix my belt last night thanks to this video. my belt was moved over to the left so much.

[@mikepoole4517]

Thanks very much -- a perfect solution for me with the back roller and overall tension! Many, many thanks!

[@genivkay]

Thank you so much - Love the slippers!

[@screwedspud]

I watched this video and did just as you showed us to do.....it worked with just a little tweeking ! Thanks so much !

[@tammylawrenz1208]

Thank you for this helpful information! I couldn’t find information on an unaligned belt anywhere!

[@ramesherrabolu1590]

Very good description on how to realign the belt

[@alexrobison4836]

2021 and this still works with current sole models, thank you!

[@DFBlair1964]

Thank You very Much! I was able to get my wife's tread mill belt centered in a few minutes with your great video. Actually took less time to do it than watch the video :-)!

[@chriswilliams2442]

Great video, had to replace the belt on my treadmill and followed this to get it adjusted. Took a matter of minutes to get it set up.

[@sidisonfire]

Re-aligned my treadmill today, thanks to you!

[@Trojan28T]

Thank you so much for your help...I was beginning to think I would have to replace the drive belt...You did a fantastic job with the instructions and they work perfectly...Thanks again...and BTW..love the slippers!! Happy New Year from Prince Edward Island Canada.

[@gloryb7]

Great videos. Fixed my 10-yr old Proform crosstrainer treadmill. It like new again . . . and now I know how to keep it going for another 10 -years maybe.

[@RouxsterMoonDance]

Dude !!!! Ur video made all the difference for me. I didn’t understand when I replaced the belt that the front roller had a tensioner too for the roller I just tightened it and man I could not fix the tracking of the belt until I adjusted the top roller !! Can’t wait to run again thank u !!!

[@mveira6504]

The best video with super clear direction! This video helped me immensely!

[@brianchurilla7060]

This was VERY helpful for tension adj!

[@AviatorRL753]

Very helpful. Thanks a lot . Fixed mine today

[@TR-po2bs]

Great video...... thanks. helped me fix the belt position problem.

[@TzMDx]

Fixed mine! Thanks a lot!

[@nSpiraliArchitectb]

Super helpful, thank you!

[@kristac.1470]

Thank you for posting this!! My biggest fear buying a treadmill was that something would get out of wack and noisy. It did, and I was worried I was going to need a costly fix. I then noticed the belt was not aligned quite right. Found your video and fixed it myself!

[@ismajlsahiti9045]

Thank you, very simple and very helpful.

[@sofiaroback9435]

Fantastic! Thank you for the explanation of it all 🤗 much appreciated

[@markscott9179]

Just v what so needed. Thank you!

[@jrgoddess]

Thank you! After fooling around with this thing all weekend, I finally fixed it!

[@rubinshrestha4332]

Thank you 🙏 so much for the tutorial, really helped me . All the way from Nepal 🇳🇵

[@erinasgrwm9638]

This video helped me a lot. My sole f60 belt was lose and pulling to the side. Thanks for video

[@curtisadams2442]

By far the best video. Thanks m8

[@projekt2k]

Thanks. This video helped me.

[@lionessandcubs3848]

Thank u. Saved me so much valuable time and money. Was about to call a handy man

[@treadmill1678]

Thanks..... It works for me like superb!!!!!

[@davidrogers192]

Thanks for the "how to"!!!!

[@user-zi2xu6mx8o]

Thanks a lot my friend

[@eugenereshetov4469]

Thank you very much!

[@richardward4234]

Just what I needed to know.

[@PhillyDee215]

Great video!!!

[@stefcabras]

bloody brilliant :)

[@williamgilpin5164]

Nice! Just bought this treadmill. was wondering why it was not centered even though it was brand new excellent video thanks for the help!

[@CHRISTINACHAL2]

Treadmill started to smell like rubber burning.Then belt stopped. Could video be the solution please.

[@inhibited44]

I have to replace the belt on an old weslo cadence 2300. This helps. Thanks

[@WindowzXp]

Thanks. Saved me a call and some cash.

[@2425752]

Awesome 👌

[@fatimaasaad1820]

That was so helpful! Thank you

[@johnclark7848]

Fantastic - I went through some absolutely terrible videos until I found this. Great instruction and thanks very much for taking the time to do this.

[@jordanpage5717]

nice slippers!

[@troydino]

Thanks for this. My treadmill seems to run true until someone runs on it or walks. Then it can pull to one side or the other. Any advice?

[@sarahhorton9993]

Great Videos and you were recommended to watch to replace my treadmill board, but how do you get metal side rails off the Sole to replace the deck? I cant seem to slide either side!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I think there is a little piece screwed down at the end to keep them from sliding off.

[@mamba82481]

Does this work with the Proform models? I don't think I have a front roller adjustment screw. I notice the belt is to the left coming from the front roller.

[@lethalchaos19]

So main thing adjust the front first right... I have nordic trac but the belt move at right side... Like in your videos. Thanks it helps a lot

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Yeah, adjust the front first to adjust the angle of the belt. Then adjust the back to adjust the side to side position of the belt.

[@shawnmedina138]

Thanks for the how to video. I just bought one for my wife and the belt was not aligned correctly. Oh and the homer simpson slippers were a nice touch to haha. thanks man!

[@slawaq8]

thx

[@rahscoh]

Excellent instruction thanks for taking the time, not to mention the paranoia out of this part of treadmill maintenance! You should consider teaching as you seem to remember what it's like not to know & that's a gift most don't possess and our child & adult students alike need teachers like you, just a thought. Thanks

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I do teach karate. But as a profession, I don't think I would like it. Also doesn't pay enough.

[@rahscoh]

Ain't that the sad truth about both the $ and the job. I used to be into music and cooking 'till I took them as jobs, at different times of course.

[@girlfromthe4083]

Thank you for the video. Just have one question. My entire belt has shifted over to the left. Would I still adjust both rollers?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

If the belt is parallel to the sides, then just the rear roller. You only need to adjust the front roller if the belt is running at an angle. Make sure the treadmill is level side to side. If it is tilted to one side, the belt will move that direction when you are walking on it.

[@gospos1]

RJ, I have an older Healthrider S400..If the treadmill runs for about 5 minutes of normal usage, the belt slips and it appears that the slippage is the roller at the left hand corner where the front belt connects...Have you ever heard of the roller spinning inside the cog that the belt raps around?...Thank you...Paul

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I don't know what the issues. Figure out what is slipping and fix it. Maybe the drive belt or the walking belt.

[@MotiveToKill]

How do you adjust the treadmill if it does not have a bolt system like yours does for the front roller? I have a proform, there was no bolt to adjust on either side of the roller but the roller is slightly angled to one side causing it to push to one side after constantly adjusting the bottom roller.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I am guessing there is a bolt in there somewhere to adjust it.

[@genedy9233]

nice footwear

[@chrissylove1739]

Literally just “” fixed “” my off center, slipping treadmill after like 2 years w/out using it.

[@tammylawrenz1208]

Well bummer...ours is not made like yours. We took the front cover off and there is no place to adjust it. It it a PaceMaster platinum pro. I took pics of the front roller but I do not think I can insert them here. My husband says the belt probably came already on the roller when they put it together. So... I see no wear to my belt in front where it is way to the right. I have made adjustments to the back rollers. Will it hurt to use it this way? Do I have an alternative? I think it has to put a drag on the motor and can’t be good for the belt. Maybe adds to the noise it makes too.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I am guessing there is some way to adjust it. Maybe just different. You can post pictures on my facebook page, but not sure how much I will be able to tell from them. If the belt it rubbing,that is not good.

[@christianmunoz5791]

thanks for the help my treadmill don't slide anymore

[@AgustinaQuinteroFelix]

I have a weslo cadence treadmill. And the motor works but when i step in to the treadmill it's stops working i notist everything is working but the belt stops moving.

[@burditpa]

I can clearly see the belt is crooked. How do I fix that and make sure the belt is evenly tightened?

[@wayneshum]

The best most detailed description s ever, You describe how the roller works related to the belt is very important for one to understand.One question can I do both sides the same time ,or tighten one side a little and the same time loosen the other side a little or just do one side only?Thanks u are the Best dude !

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Both sides of what? Front roller? Rear roller? What?

[@derekforbes3743]

Hey man respect to put yourself out there posting passing on knowledge is great in this video pretty much did help what I was looking for but my best advice to give you is redo this video and change the phrasing of **this way that way this way that way **it gets a bit confusing, and with all the trolls negative people we Out thereI'm sure there bashing again again again......i knew what you meant just giving some real advice..thanks have great day

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

If I shot it again, it would probably the same thing. I don't script my vids. I just do the work and explain as I go along.

[@tammylawrenz1208]

RJ The Bike Guy I thought it was good. You visually show which way with your corner device.

[@kevinmorrissey4132]

thanks so much, just bought a treadmill off of Craigslist and it was slipping...turns out mine was just a loose belt as well.

[@M_Y_Wolde]

What tool did you use to adjust the belt from the rear?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Hex wrench aka Allen key.

[@JonYodice]

can you accidentally shift the rollers without even noticing it while youre re-lubing it? I relube my sole f80 for the first time a few minutes ago and now I have this problem. I keep tighten and retighten the alan keys which takes forever just to adjust the belt itself., and now it slide to one side. I havent touched the rollers myself and wouldnt even know how to until I watch th end of this video I guess

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+Jon Yodice I am not sure what you are describing. If the belt moves the one side, you didn't get the roller adjusted correctly. That is why I make a point to loosen and tighten the bolts the same number of turns.

[@lopezaoscar]

Very good info. But it is a little hard to take him seriously when he is walking around with Simpson slippers. LOL

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Doh!

[@jameshealy4146]

I have a Precor 9.35 and the front roller is not adjustable. Both bolts are to be just tightened down not adjusted. With that said I just can stop the belt from wandering to the left. I have the left tightened more than double than the left side. With the older belt on both bolts were tightened almost equally. What am I doing wrong?

[@laurapartsfortreadmill6870]

Hello, James! I think you will find this blog very useful for this and other treadmill problems: www.treadmillsrepair.co.uk/2017/12/treadmill-assistance-error-codes-and.html Feel free to contact us directly if you need further assistance :)

[@pattilofgren6678]

The belt on my treadmill slips - it's not crooked at all. I tightened the back roller and it helped a bit but it still slips. I tightened it to the point where the belt isn't lying directly now on the bed. It also squeaks really loudly. Not sure if it's the walking belt or the drive belt or if the front roller needs replacing. I took a marker and marked the front roller and the walking belt and by the time I finished 30 min on it the walking belt had moved and wasn't in line with the roller anymore. Any help would be appreciated

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

It might be slipping because the deck needs lubricated. If the belt hitting the deck has too much resistance, the belt will slip on the rollers. The squeaking might be the shock absorbers. The belt might be moving because it needs adjusted...OR the treadmill might not be level side to side. If the treadmill is tilted to the side, the belt will slowly creep that way while you are walking/running on it.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

The belt might be slightly off the deck. That is fine. Is the tension adjusted to where you can just barely touch the middle of the deck?

[@KVTMustang]

Mine wasnt used for 1 year, started to walk, slipped, its not working right its slipping... I think there is an amount of lube that droped on the pulley's, near motor. Should I put some break cleaner on belt and with a towel while its running to clean it or take off the belt, pulley's and everything? 🤔 OR I throw it in the street...

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

There shouldn't be lube on the drive belt or pulleys. Only the walking belt. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fV68koaNjrJ_hbc

[@mazamaza4702]

How do I adjust front part of walking belt if gap on side of motor belt (left side) and also small gap at back left side?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

It's in the video!

[@mazamaza4702]

@@RJTheBikeGuy Got it! thanks

[@mrsnailchic]

does this also work on gold gym treadmill

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+Michelle Eves Will probably similar.

[@mrsnailchic]

Mine kept slipping to one side no matter how i tighten or loosened so i put a new walking belt on and still goes to that one side - help !

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

It could be adjustment. Or it could be your treadmill is not level side to side. Or both.

[@alexal-haj5647]

May some one tell me what I should do. Last week I was exercising on my Trimline on a speed of 9 . When I exceeded the speed to 10 it Shut down. I tried all means nothing can turn , the power bottom not function

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Call the manufacturer. Maybe fried the board, or blew a fuse.

[@pattilofgren6678]

The belt isn't moving side to side at all. I did lubricate it but it didn't seem to help.

[@lelandfleland]

I adjusted belt to be centered run at 3 mph, for 5 minutes run it up to 5 mph for 5 minutes, worked perfectly no movement. But, once started "walking" on treadmill at 3.5 mph after a about 10minutes it started tracking all the way to left edge. Why is this occurring?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Make sure your treadmill is level side to side.

[@caseydavies4020]

what should i do if the toe cap on treadmill has been burnt away by the rubber, does it mean that my treadmill is permantly damaged and cant be repaired?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Casey Davies Not sure what part the toe cap is?

[@therandomduder8610]

+RJ The Bike Guy What kind of tool is that your using to loosen the bolt?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Which bolt?

[@therandomduder8610]

+RJ The Bike Guy The tool your using at 2:30 and do you have to have that kind of tool to loosen the bolt.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

A ratchet wrench or socket wrench.

[@StephyGrowsWeed]

Hello :) i hope u can help me and i hope i can explain it properly in english. I have got a new treadmill and following problem. The belt seems to be moving fine when nobody is walking on it. The distance on both sides (also on top and on the bottom) is equal. But once i m walking on it (just walking not running) it kinda moves to the left side. But all of it. Not just at the bottom also on top. Equally all the length seems to move to the left side. SO that there is like 1 cm distance on the left side but like ^2-3 cm on the right side. What could be the problem ????

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Make sure the treadmill is level side to side. If the treadmill is not level, the belt will slowly move to the down side when someone is walking/running on it. That is about the only thing I can think of that would cause that.

[@StephyGrowsWeed]

yeah i dont know. The treadmill itself seems to be a bit weird. It has this cushion thingies at the bottom where it stands on. One is on the ground the other is like 1 cm too high. But its not a question of ground coz i was mo0ving the treadmill from different spaces and it stayed the same. So i just put something underneath. I didnt use a level though. I might do that tomorrow to figure out if its level when putting something under this one cushion-thingy. If its not i have no idea how to level that out though (without just putting something underneath) coz i dont see how i can change it. I ll get a level tomorrow and let u know if i fixed it :P thx anyways :) OH one thing.... the space between this cushion thingy and the ground is on the right side but the belt is moving to the left. Shouldnt it move to the right side? (confusion)......

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I don't know about the contact points of your TM, or the surface it is on. If it isn't level, you may need to adjust some feet on the bottom of it. If they can't be adjusted, then you might need to put some thin pieces of wood under the contact points to level it. Make sure it is level side to side on both the front and the back. You want solid contact on all four corners.

[@StephyGrowsWeed]

shyflirt1 hi again :) i kinda worked it out. Its not 100 percent level but sort of. Still going a little bit to the left side when i m walking. My hubby said its coz i m walking weird lol... like i m doing longer strokes with my right foot but shorter with the left. I dunno. When there is nobody on it it works fine. its only when i m on it . Weird. But thx again :)

[@roserosemarry2793]

Hi ,my machine is after 5 to 10 minutes stop and no working tell me plz what i do

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+Rose Rose marry That sounds like it has nothing to do with belt adjustment. Maybe the controller board or power supply. Contact the tech support for your treadmill.

[@mkmason2002]

My treadmill is making weird sounds from the motor area. The treadmill runs but my son said not to use it or it could start on fire. Where would I start to find someone to fix it. I can't afford a new one.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Shrug. Google treadmill repair in your area.

[@js1089ss]

You might be the only one that knows what I'm talking about. I just put a new belt in and that noise of the belt is a bit loud. I tore it apart and back together again so no idea where it's coming from

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Sorry, I don't know.

[@katfranoutofthashade2325]

Awesome I tried all of this and it still won't come on the belt doesn't turn on it's on you see that it wants to turn but don't so I swipe it with a foot then it turns but when I get on the belt it stops I lubricated call myself centering it and the noise gets louder to I just put it in upright position until coronavirus is over cause I can't have a tech come into my home. :(

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fV68koaNjrJ_hbc kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZ-ogqekpa2Vg5I

[@sagarpathak1769]

my trademill speed goes slow automatically from some days..its a electronics problem please help me to solve this problem sir

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I can't. Contact the manufacturer.

[@sagarpathak1769]

RJ The Bike Guy hmmmmmmmmmmm

[@big_soup1345]

Why does treadmill looks narrow my feet barely fit on the mat band

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Get a wider treadmill.

[@ivy4559]

Hello again! I uploaded a video of my treadmill and the problem I’m having. If you would, please, check it out and let me know what you think. I don’t see any place for me to move the front roller. Every time I tighten the belt the belt pulls to the top left corner near the drive belt. I have spent hours, days, WEEKS trying to fix my treadmill and nothing seems to work. Someone mentioned a “sleeve” to me but I’m not sure what that means. Any help you could give me would be so appreciated.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

At glance, it doesn't look like the front roller is adjustable. But the belt looks relatively straight. So use th rear roller to center the belt. If the belt is centered while running but get's off center when you get on, then you need to level the treadmill side to side as your weight will be pushing the belt to the downhill side.

[@ivy4559]

This is going to be very long and probably annoying and I apologize in advance. I’m crying in my bedroom closet floor in the dark because I cannot fix my treadmill. Now I know that may sound very stupid, but I suffer with depression and running is the only thing that helps me be a better mom, wife, person. 😢 I have tried everything I know to do to center my belt, but every time I align it and then start to walk, it pulls to one side. I have a ProForm ZT3. It was working great and then my kids had a sleepover and they were playing on it with their friends when I asked them not too. It’s going on two weeks and I can’t seem to get it fixed. Before I do anything else I am asking... pleading with anyone to please help me. I don’t want to take the front cover off and mess with the front roller if I don’t have to because I don’t want to mess it up even more. 😢 I am desperate. If anyone out there reads this please leave me a comment and tell me what to do, please. Thank you so much.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Adjust the BACK roller to center the belt. The front roller only needs to be adjust if the belt is angled. If the belt is centered while it is running and you are not on it, and then goes off center when you start to walk on it, then it is likely the treadmill is not level side to side.

[@ivy4559]

RJ The Bike Guy ok I’m crying again. Thank you so much for your quick reply. You don’t know what this means to me! You were right! It wasn’t level! You’re an Angel and I’m sending you a KZbin hug. Thank you. Thank you! THANK YOU! 😢❤️🙏🏻

[@Hurglett]

This. Did not help me at all.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

What is the problem you are having?

[@Hurglett]

Well I got a new treadmill, but the belt was on the complete left side of track. I tried to fix it and now its soooo lose and all over the place. :(

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Brittany Graves You need to make SMALL adjustments. It sounds like you loosened the belt tensioners. Tighten them a little at a time, and make small adjustments until you get it centered.

[@Hurglett]

Okay I will, but I'm a little confused on which way to turn them to tighten and loosen? Do you think you could tell me simply left and right to tighten and loosen?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

It is most likely clockwise to tighten, but it might be counter-clockwise. It varies by manufacturer. Don't ask me what yours is. Turn it one way, if it gets looser, turn it the other way.