Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Grunt, curse, and repeat again...

So, the belt on our treadmill was getting pretty worn in the center, and we had noticed it was harder and harder to keep it centered on the deck. We called to order a new one, which arrived last week, but alas, no instructions on how to install it. I emailed the vendor, and a nice service rep, Shane, kindly emailed me the instructions below (with photos). Over the weekend, hubby and I decided to get the belt changed out. All tools assembled, we headed to the basement...

1.Remove motor hood.
Easy enough... two screws, we're done. This won't be so bad!
2.Remove screw from foot rail on each side.
Again, two small screws, and it's off! Man, this is a breeze!
3.Remove base caps on right and left with a Phillips screw driver. (bottom hole)
Get the right angle, and they snap right off. We're cruisin' along!
4.Using an Allen wrench, remove the bolts that hold on the rear roller by turning counter clockwise.
OK, so these puppies are a bit... grrr....tight... but off they came. We are invincible!
5.Remove the rear roller.
Boy this bolt holding this roller on is positioned way down in there.... ugh... finally, it's out.
6.Remove the bolt that holds on the front roller by using two 13mm wrenches.
Uh, that bolt? Down in there? Uh, OK. There's not much navigating room. The &^%* socket keeps slipping off of it.... almost... tongue held just right. Whew. It's off.
7.Remove the front roller.
This sucker is heavy. But, OK, it's off and lined up by the wall with all the other parts and bolts.
8.Slide foot rail to the end of the unit.
Slide? Seriously? How about take a rubber mallet and a yardstick and bang it an inch at a time to get the dang thing to "slide" off? Jeeps. OK, they're off.
9.Remove eight deck bolts, (four on each side) using 5m Allen wrench that came with unit. Take deck and belt off of unit.
These are also a bit.... tiiiiight...OK, almost have them. I have lube all over my hands now...and this deck is very.... awkward to hold... ouch, my toes!
10.Install new belt using above steps in reverse order. Be sure to add lube for new belt.
OK, so we cleaned all the surfaces under the belt deck nicely and vacuumed up all the dust, and we've added new lube to the deck surface. Greasy, greasy silicone. The belt is on! TA-DA! Now, it's time to put everything back together by going backwards with the instructions above! Yay! We did it! It's all back together and we smile and wipe our brows!
11.When adjusting the tension on the belt, turn bolts on each side the same number of times. Start the belt and adjust as needed.
OK! We're ready to adjust the belt.... uh, wait a minute. Houston, we have a problem. Seems... um... that Shane...um... sent the wrong belt. Seriously? Seriously. Alrighty then. Reverse course. Take the "new" belt OFF. Grrrr... serious potty mouth language abounds. Side by side we measure..... it's 2 3/4" too long.
SHANE!!!!!!!?????????????????????

9 comments:

Beth said...

What a weekend between the treadmill and the pool! Were you glad to get back to work?

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

You got a workout just replacing the belt!!

altar ego said...

You are nothing, if not thorough, and you get a gold medal for perseverence. I believe that Shane needs to make a personal appearance with the new (and correct size) belt, and provide some service!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

First of all you impress me by actually using your tread mill enough to have to put on a new belt. ha... The installation of the new one had me giggling this morning. I do feel your pain though. What a lot of work for the wrong belt.

dAwN said...

OH NO...
That is just no right..hope you get the correct belt soon.

NCmountainwoman said...

It is so frustrating when they mess up like that. And you don't know it until you have done all that work. Good luck!

Betsy from Tennessee said...

Good Gosh, Jayne. You all need a VACATION. Why don't you jump in the car and go to the mountains for a few days???? Then--maybe life will get a little easier when you get back home. You have had more than your share recently... So Sorry!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Diane said...

Jayne, First off, you are a very funny lady. I'm sorry but I laughted at your description. Second, I'm sorry about the belt, after all that work. And third, it seems like this is just normal, nothing, it seems, goes together like it should.

RuthieJ said...

I've had some DIY projects like that too, so I was definitely grunting and swearing right along with you Jayne!
It's nice to find out that you actually can do it yourself though, isn't it?