For individuals wishing to have a home gym setup, the elliptical is a versatile piece of equipment. It combines the stair-climbing, jogging, and cycling machine in the form of a stationary exercise machine.
Though this piece of equipment is well-known for its functionality and ease of use, there are situations in which the machine makes a clunking sound.
So, what could be the primary reasons why an elliptical makes a clunking sound?
There are a couple of important reasons for the same. Failing to lubricate the machine occasionally, any broken parts, joints that have become loose, and any accumulation of dirt can lead to weird clunking sounds in the machine.
Below are the common reasons why an elliptical trainer makes a clunking sound, and there are also solutions provided for the same, in most cases.
Reasons Why an Elliptical Machine Makes a Clunking Sound
We get up early in the morning with a fresh mind and a determined heart to take up intense exercising for the day.
But, as soon as you step on the machine and start pedaling, there are chances that the elliptical makes a jarring clunking sound that’s annoying and disturbing.
Don’t worry or fret out, as this is very frequently observed with ellipticals and is also a basic troubleshooting issue that ellipticals demonstrate all the time.
The three main reasons why an elliptical trainer makes an obnoxious clunking sound include:
Leveling-related Issues
Have you had the experience of using an elliptical at the gym, or have you bought an elliptical for home gym use? If so, you would have noticed the rubber paddings while setting the machine on the floor.
There are two paddings on either side to provide utmost stability to the elliptical when an individual uses the machine.
When not set up in the right way, there are chances of leveling issues with the machine. That’s mainly because the individual’s weight is not evenly distributed on both pedals while exercising on the machine.
It is due to this uneven distribution of weight that the elliptical framework becomes unstable. Also, pushing excess pressure on one side of the elliptical makes the other side rise more than expected, resulting in a grinding sound.
Absence of Enough Lubrication
One of the main reasons the machine might make noise is when the gears are dry and not lubricated properly.
There are many mechanical gears in the machine, and when we use it every time, these gears get displaced to generate different outputs.
Insufficient lubrication on the nut sand bolts while assembling the elliptical can lead to two main problems. Firstly, it becomes harder to pedal and increase speed levels as excess force is necessary to engage the inner bearings.
Secondly, when the gears become drier, they generate more noise when engaged in the pedaling action.
Loose Joints
Generally, all parts in an elliptical machine come disassembled, and it is upon us to assemble them and create a fully functional machine.
In general, if someone is new to the assembly process, there are greater chances of committing a mistake anytime in between.
Those mistakes can be a costly affair as there are chances of loosened nuts and bolts anywhere in the elliptical.
Whenever we get a loud clunking sound, it is an indication of any of these problems and hence, must be immediately solved.
If someone fails to notice these indications, there is a danger of serious injuries as the machine is at risk of falling apart anytime.
Though there are other reasons for an elliptical to make strange sounds, the above three are the critical reasons for the same.
Hence, if there is a doubt, it is better to consult a professional for assistance.
Solutions for Resolving the Clunking Sound in the Elliptical
Once we figure out the underlying cause of the problem, the next logical step is to resolve it.
Every problem has a solution, but it is upon us to find the right one. Let’s have a look at all possible solutions that can come in handy during such situations.
Follow the step-by-step instruction mentioned below to solve your problems easily.
Do a Complete Examination of the Elliptical
For those who have knowledge about handling any home gym equipment and have some idea about its operation, going through the maintenance guide and completely analyzing the framework of the machine is useful.
Check for anything that’s not in place.
In most cases, there might be some discrepancies and looking into each of the parts carefully helps figure out the root cause of the problem. Hence, you can go about fixing them one by one.
If there is something unsolvable, please get in touch with a technician.
Fox the Loose Joints
In due course of time, the elliptical might have loose joints and handlebars. Hence, analyze the bearings carefully, finding out the problematic ones.
Once the problem is known, check the concerning screws, nuts, and bolts from the user manual and tighten any bearings that need fixing. But, please be cautious to avoid unnecessary accidents.
Frequently Lubricate the Bearings
Once all the above steps are done and if the sound persists, lubricate the bearings. Purchase any good-quality grease from any shop that guarantees high-quality materials.
For those individuals who are aware of how and where to apply the grease, give a light coating on the shafts and the pivot points.
Else, it is always better to call the mechanic or technician.
One point to remember is to apply the grease after removing all out parts such as handlebars, pedals, arms, and others.
Fix any Broken Parts
When we exercise continuously, naturally, the body gets tired. Likewise, prolonged usage of the machine leads to wear and tear of the parts, especially like motor, battery, pedaling bar, etc.
The presence of clunking sound is a clear indication that these specific parts must be changed.
After looking through the battery and the parts, you doubt where the noise might be coming from, replace these broken or worn-out parts.
Examine the Flywheel
The problem might exist in the flywheel rather than on the internal bearings rarely.
Such problems might be a rare scenario. Another problem is that it is hard to find any problems wrong with the flywheel as it’s hard to find just by looking at the part.
The flywheel needs to be thoroughly examined, and a thorough analysis must be done.
Rather than trying the DIY method in these cases where there are chances for more trouble than remedy, get help.
Being heavy machines, individuals who don’t have prior experience in sorting heavy pieces of machinery, there are possibilities for injuries too.
Sometimes, dirt and garbage can accumulate under the flywheel, and such disturbances can affect the internal bearings when not cleaned on time.
Such scenarios can lead to increased chances of clunk-clunk-clunk- noise all through the day.
To avoid all these problems, clean the elliptical and keep it lubricated. Despite all efforts, when the sound persists, it is highly suggested to visit a service center.
All these tips can help troubleshoot and fix the issues but when some situations are beyond your problem-solving abilities, get the help of a qualified person to solve the issue.