Schwinn Airdyne, AD6, How to Replace the Drive Belt and Fan

The drive belt is the poly-v belt that connects the large idler pulley to the fan on the Schwinn AD6 Airdyne. Here you can learn how to replace the fan and the poly-v drive belt on the Airdyne 6 by Schwinn.

Tools:

• 14mm Socket and Wrench
• 10mm Open End Wrench
• 15mm Open End Wrench
• 17mm Open End Wrench
• #2 Phillips Screwdriver
• Pliers

Replacing a Drive Belt and Fan on the Schwinn AD6 Airdyne:

Reduce the risk of electrical shock; Remove the batteries from the bike before you begin your work. Allow the bike to sit for 5 minutes.

1. Remove the shrouds and crank arms from the bike. Click here to read about crank and shroud removal.
2. Remove the foot peg on the right side of the bike with the 6mm hex wrench. Remove the screws connecting the footpeg to the handlebar. Support the foot peg while removing the hardware to prevent it from falling.
3. Remove the handlebar from the arm pivot assembly and set it aside for reassembly.
4. Place a piece of material, such as cardboard or a cloth rag, below the connector arm to protect the flooring.
5. Remove the bolt connecting the pivot arm assembly to the connector arm. You will need the 14mm socket and wrench.
6. Remove the connector arm from the pivot arm assembly.
7. Remove the nut retaining the eye bolt or tensioner onto the shaft of the idler assembly on both sides of the bike. You will need the 15mm wrench.
8. Remove the 10mm nut for the belt tension adjustment from the eye bolt and remove the eye bolt. Note: Be aware of the bend in the eye bolt and its orientation before you remove it. The eye bolt will need to be reinstalled in the same orientation.
9. Remove the 10mm belt tension adjustment nut and eye bolt on the opposite side of the bike.
10. Lift the idler assembly out of the mounting brackets. Remove the drive belt and crank belt from the idler pulleys. Then place the idler back in the brackets. Note: Be Aware of Pinch Points.
11. Take note of the gap (distance from the inner edge of the magnet mount to the end of the speed sensor) for the speed sensor, and then remove the speed sensor from its mount.
12. Remove the sensor mount from the frame. You will need the Phillips screwdriver to do this.
13. Remove the step pad that covers the frame between the seat and the fan. You will need the Phillips screwdriver. Remove the screw from each corner of the pad and remove the step pad.
14. Continue with the screwdriver and remove the screw from the frame that was below the step pad.
15. Then, remove the four screws connecting the bottom of the fan cage to the frame. There are two screws on each side. These are located below the fan and behind the front stabilizer.
16. Remove the fan brackets from both sides of the bike. These brackets are located above the eye bolt tensioners on the fan axle.
17. Remove the nut securing the eye bolt on each side of the fan. You will need the 15mm open end wrench to do this.
18. Then, remove the fan tension adjustment nut with the 10mm open end wrench. Remove the nut and the eye bolt. Repeat on the opposite side of the fan. Note: Be aware of the bend in the eye bolt and its orientation before you remove it. The eye bolt will need to be reinstalled in the same orientation.
19. The fan is now free and can be pulled from the front of the bike to remove it from the frame. The drive belt or poly-v belt will be connected to the fan. The crank belt or HTD belt will remain with the crank pulley.
20. Remove the drive belt and route your new drive belt into its place. You will route the new belt up through the opening in the bottom of the fan cage, and up over the pulley on the fan.
21. Place the fan back into the frame. Note: The inner locking nuts on the fan may require a slight adjustment to get the fan back into the frame. If this is needed, you will hold the fan shaft with the pliers preventing the shaft from moving. While holding the shaft with the pliers, you will adjust the inner locking nut with the 17mm open end wrench. Make minor adjustments; 1/4 turn equally on both sides. Do careful and do not over-adjust.
22. Reversing the steps taken you will complete the installation of the belts and fan.
23. Check that all parts are properly assembled and that all hardware is tight. Check bike operation.

Click here for help with setting proper belt tension.

This completes how to replace the drive belt and fan on a Schwinn Airdyne AD6 exercise bike.