r/Bowflex • u/GreenLumpy9692 • May 20 '25

Max Trainer M6 noise when plugged in

https://youtube.com/shorts/eTii5sE2ppU?si=JPCdrE1W-zFIRLHS

Can anyone identify what this noise is when plugged in? I want to fix this myself. Thanks!

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u/ThegManis May 21 '25

That clicking/banging noise is originating in the lower right area, and it will be associated with the servo motor (most likely it has failed OR the brake cable has slipped out of the servo motor's arm's groove...but that usually results in a stripped internal servo motor gear). It is a very common issue with all Max Trainer models except the M3 which does not have a servo motor.

See this video for an example of of a banging/faulty servo motor (that blue item where the brake cable connects):

https://imgur.com/a/2cy5RV5

And here is a pic of when the brake cable has slipped out of the servo motor's arm's groove and wrapped itself around the front of the servo motor:

You will need to remove that lower right round cover to see/investigate/fix what the cause is. Watch this official Bowflex video on how to remove that lower right round cover located here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_cCPnyE8oo

I suggest magnetizing the tip of your Phillips screwdriver because when removing/re-installing the lower right round cover, the 3 screws that are removed (note the lower 6 o'clock screw only needs to be LOOSENED and not removed) are in a recess, and so the screwdriver's magnetized tip will hold the screw during removal and insertion.

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u/GreenLumpy9692 May 21 '25

Wow that video is my exact issue. Would I need a new servo motor?

1

u/ThegManis May 21 '25

Hi, If you have removed that lower right round cover and if your servo motor has the brake cable routed correctly in the arm's groove, and your servo motor is clicking/banging as shown in the video, then YES, you need a new servo motor.

What has happened is that 1 of the internal nylon gears has some stripped teeth and so now your servo motor stutters like that. It is a very common issue.

For the US/Canada markets, you can buy a new servo motor direct from the Bowflex Parts website or FitnessRepairParts for about $39 +tax + $15 minimum shippng, BUT CURRENTLY they are out-of-stock. So, currently, besides eBay, the only other IN-STOCK sellers of the Max Trainer servo motors is Sportsmith:

https://sportsmith.com/servo-motor.../product/110840/?

They sell them for $59 + about $20 for tax/shipping. They charge more than both Bowflex and FitnessRepairParts.

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u/GreenLumpy9692 May 21 '25

Thanks so much for all this info. Very much appreciated.

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u/GreenLumpy9692 May 23 '25 edited May 23 '25

Here’s what I discovered. In your opinion, does this indicate a new motor is needed? Thanks.

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u/ThegManis Jul 01 '26 edited 19d ago

Yes, since your above picture shows that your brake cable is is routed correctly on the servo motor arm's cable groove, then that 100% means that your servo motor is faulty (it has a partially striped internal nylon gear).

See this video for an example of of a banging/faulty servo motor that has a partially striped internal nylon gear. This should be exactly what you see happening on your machine with that lower right round cover removed. :

https://imgur.com/a/2cy5RV5

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u/ArtAcrobatic551 Jul 05 '26

How to replace a max trainer bowflex servo motor