When you buy a NordicTrack elliptical, you’re buying a quiet, comfortable exercise routine that doesn’t beat up your body’s joints. You don’t want to struggle with the machine; you just want it too flow. But then all of sudden, everything shift.
The resistance seem unresponsive or mushy. The squeaking start to become annoyingly rhythmic. What was once a slick motion suddenly becomes hard work, there’s way more friction involved then before.
It’s maddening, and it transforms what should of been one of your most beloved pieces of home gym equipment into something that stress you out. Fear not: These aren’t typically indicator of a dying machine. Most of the time, they’re simply symptoms of some mild mechanical drift or neglect on user’s part.
This means most people think it’s time for service when a simple 5 minute tweak will suffic. Knowing how to diagnose the issue before it turns into something permanent, knowing the anatomy of your NordicTrack, makes all the difference. All you have to know is what to look (and listen) for.
How To Fix Squeaks And Resistance Loss
Diagnosing Common Elliptical Issues
First examine the drive belt: The drive belt link your pedals to the flywheel and is the heart of action, but over time the belt (and the pulleys) will get covered in grime. Just like sandpaper, this cause friction that leads to both lost resistance and noise. Simply raise the pedal cover and remove the plug while looking for any dark build up on the black rubber belt.
Cleaning the Drive Belt
Use a dry cloth to wipe down if it’s dirty. Using water or chemical cleaners will degrade the rubber and can leaks into other electrical parts. A clean belt will grip correctly and return the sharp snap of resistance you have come to expect from brand.
Aligning Foot Pedals
I also look at how the foot pedals line up with each other. Because they sit in parallel tracks the pedals will squeak if the tracks is not lined up exactly. One will bind on the other track, creating a grinding sound and an uneven stride.
Backing the bolt down a bit (closest to where the pedal axle meets the pedal) with a wrench can loosen the tension and allow you to spin the pedals freely with your hand. Then you can snug it back up slightly so there is no drag or play on the pedals, but just enough to keep them aligned. It is a delicat balance, but it will fix problem immediately.
Lubricating Moving Parts
Lube Points: Certain bearings/bushings on NordicTrack ellipticals need periodic lube (the manual will detail which ones). The manual also states they should be lubed with silicone lubricant. Don’t use graphite, as this builds up into a pasty gunk that catch dust and increases wear.
Use a tiny dab of lubricant at the spots where indicated in your owner’s manual. Be careful not to overdo it. If too much gets on floor (or drips down on the console wiring), you’ll make a mess, with no added benefit.
A little bit of lube are enough to make sure all those moving part slide quietly across one another.
Checking Magnetic Resistance
Last, check the magnetic resistance mechanism. Sometimes you’ll have a resistance that isn’t consistent and it’s possible that the magnet gap could be off.
Some machines let you manually adjust the magnet distance from the flywheel. When the magnet is too close, it will drag on the flywheel and when it’s too far away you won’t notice anything as you crank up the levels. This is a sensitive spot so I suggest referring to your specific model manual for how to adjust.
Messing with it incorrectly can harm the flywheel or the motor. So if you’re not sure about it, snap a photo first so you can always put it back the way it was if necessary.
Routine Maintenance Tips
Taking care of an elliptical doesn’t require rocket science; it’s all about routine maintenance.
Regularly check that its magnets is good. Check that the joints are well lubricated. Ensure the pedals is aligned and the belt is clean.
This ensures the elliptical function like new. The only challenge in your workout should come from the exercise itself… Not a broken down machine.
Spend just ten minutes per month on these checks. Enjoy each stride and protect your investement.
