Maintenance
A squeak is a note until there is play
5 May 2023 · 1 min read
Noise alone is usually comfort. Movement in a joint that should be tight is a fault. Learn the difference on each machine.
Gyms are noisy. Not every squeak is a job for this week. Play, heat, or a change in how the movement tracks is different from a familiar squeak.
If you can move a joint by hand in a direction the exercise does not use, write it up and decide whether it is safe. A squeak with no play can be a note and a watch. Say that you will look again on the next weekly walk, and then do it.
Do not drown it
Spraying a noisy pivot until it is quiet hides the play. If you quiet it, you still need to know whether it was wear. Record the spray only if you are sure it was the right treatment.
The same squeak reported by three members is still one fault. Attach the reports. Do not open three jobs to oil one pulley.
If the noise appears only under load, test under load or leave it out of service until someone can. An empty-hand test that feels fine does not close a loaded fault.
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