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

[Tonto]

You're partial right, however backwards in the order of events that happened.
The nut & bolts came loose first, allowing stress on the plastic dowels, and once the dowels fell completely out, the bolts followed suit the rest of the way thereafter.
The remedy I have found is replacing the nuts to a Nyloc style nuts and use red Loctite when re-assembling. Torque to the proper specs, and I've never had another come loose with this issue in the few machines I've done this repair.
I hope this helps!

[flyingscot]

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.

[petlovelife]

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

[markday]

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.

[petlovelife]

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.

[desmo]

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

[dananderson]

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

[robertzimmerman]

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

[jimb]

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?

[bowflexmresistancefix]

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

[christinaseppala]

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

[tanyawilson]

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.?

[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

[khoush]

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?

[yajiv]

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.

[Verinha]

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 ?

[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.

[DanielFlores-osfr]

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

[Premium_Bear]

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