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The stepper is a fairly simple machine and not too much can go wrong.  However, there are several things to be aware of.  If you have a squeak it is either the mounting bolts or a dry seal on the cylinder.  When you have a squeak the first thing is to loosen the mounting bolts at the top and bottom of the cylinder.  I think the manufacture has a team of weight lifters that tighten the bolts.  When the bolts are too tight it compresses the spacer washers and eventually they start to squeak.  The bolts need to be snug but not "weight lifter" tight.  

The cylinder seal can also squeak.  After loosening the bolts and there is still a squeak them have someone operate the machine while you spray WD40 on the silver plunger moving in and out of each cylinder.  You usually have to operate and spray for several minutes to work the WD40 down into the seals.  

If these procedures do not eliminate the squeak call me and we can trouble shoot at a deeper level.

 To add fluid follow the steps described below. 

Low stepper oil problem is indicated by the peddles not raising high enough or when very bad both peddles will be on the floor. 

Notice in this picture the one peddle is not high enough.  To test the proper height push one peddle all the way down to the floor and then grab the end of the other peddle and attempt to raise it straight up.  There should be about 1 inch or so of free movement up until it stops.  If there are several inches of vertical movement then the fluid is low in your stepper.   The more free verticle movement the lower the fluid level is in the stepper. 

Now How to Add Oil

Tip the machine over on its side so that the re-fill plug on the side of the reservoir is up.  Not shown in this picture make sure you put a good size plastic drop cloth down under the machine because  when adding fluid you will spill some.  

Make sure that the peddle on the same side as the re-fill plus is pushed all the way down.  The other peddle, closest to the floor, will be up some distance depending on how much fluid is in the reservoir.  

Now remove the re-fill plug with an allen wrench.  You will need a small funnel and a bottle of automatic transmission fluid.  Any cheep transmission fluid will work.  Pour the fluid into the funnel and at the same time slowly pull the peddle that is closest to the floor up.  Add fluid and pull in a coordinated manner so that you suck in fluid and not air.  When the peddle gets to the top of the range of motion stop.  Take out the funnel.  Grab the peddle that you were pulling up on and push it back down about 1 inch.  Fluid will come out of the re-fill hole.  Now put the plug back in making sure the fluid is all the way to the top of the hole.

Clean up the spilled fluid and put the machine back in the upright position.  All should work properly again.  If the peddles feel soft and spongy there is air in the system.  Call me and I will explain how to remove the air.  Watch the top of the cylinders for future leaks. 

If it starts to leak badly you will need to take the cylinders to a hydraulics repair shop and have them install new seals.  That is a lot less expensive than replacing the entire assembly.  

Google "hydraulic repair" to get a list of local shops.

Call around.  Tell them you needs seals in two small single action cylinders.  One owner told me it cost her $5.  Another told me it was $98 and they came to her club and installed the cylinders.  Your milage may vary depending on how nice your local shops are.  

Follow the above process to refill with oil after new seals are installed. 

Questions please call me at 800-398-5693