What to Do When a Leg Press Machine Makes a New Noise

AI-generated illustrative cover; it is not a photograph of this product or a documented repair.

Quick answer: If a leg press develops a new grinding, knocking, scraping, or binding sensation, stop the set and take the machine out of use until you can identify a safe next step from its exact owner’s manual or the manufacturer. Do not keep lifting to “see if it clears,” add lubricant, tighten a loaded mechanism, or remove guards and safety parts. A sound alone cannot tell you which component is at fault.

Stop the movement without creating another hazard

If the carriage is moving, follow the machine’s normal stopping and locking instructions. Keep hands, feet, and other people clear of the travel path. Do not reach under or behind a loaded carriage, and do not try to catch or force it. If you cannot safely return it to its resting or locked position, keep clear and contact the manufacturer or a qualified service professional for instructions. The exact safe unloading sequence depends on the design; use the product manual rather than improvising.

Once the machine is at rest and secured as the manual describes, remove it from your workout rotation. Tell household members not to use it until the issue is assessed. A visible note can help prevent someone else from starting a set without knowing what happened.

Record what changed; do not diagnose by sound

Write down when the noise occurs: at the start of travel, under load, near a particular point, or when the carriage returns. Note whether it is new, repeatable, or accompanied by uneven motion, looseness, rubbing, a sudden change in resistance, or a safety catch that does not engage as expected. If you can take a photo or a short video from a safe distance without moving or loading the mechanism, it may help the seller understand the report.

This information is a description, not a diagnosis. A new noise could have several explanations, and appearance alone cannot establish that a part is safe. Do not reproduce the sound with a person under load just to record it.

Do a limited visual check only when the manual allows it

With the carriage secured and the machine unloaded only through the manual’s procedure, look from outside the mechanism for an obvious obstruction, loose-looking component, damaged cable or attachment, cracked part, or fresh contact mark. Do not put fingers into tracks or pinch points. Do not disassemble the carriage, adjust limiters, loosen fasteners, or apply oil or grease unless the exact manual instructs you to do that maintenance. The wrong product or adjustment can affect movement or safety features.

For the WAXMAN Leg Press Hack Squat Machine, the public listing describes three-level adjustable safety limiters and 2-inch Olympic-size plate bars. Those listing details identify features; they do not replace the model’s manual or provide a repair procedure. Use the instructions for the exact model and version.

Contact the seller before returning to training

Send the manufacturer or seller the model name, purchase information, when the sound occurs, whether movement changed, and safe photos or video. Ask whether they want the unit left unloaded, what checks are permitted, and whether service is required. Do not use the machine again until the cause has been assessed and any required repair or adjustment has been completed and checked according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

If the sound came with sudden movement, a failed lock, a loose or broken part, or loss of control, treat the machine as unavailable and do not attempt a test set after a quick tightening. A qualified service provider can determine whether the equipment is safe to return to use.

Keep training separate from troubleshooting

Choose another exercise only if it is already familiar and comfortable for you; you do not need to replace the same movement on the spot. Mayo Clinic advises stopping a strength exercise that causes pain and learning proper technique, while equipment-specific service questions belong with the manufacturer. This article is general equipment-safety guidance, not a diagnosis, repair manual, or individualized exercise prescription.

Product information

Sources

• WaxmanUSA product listing (features and current product identity, checked October 7, 2026).
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Exercise Equipment recalls (recall notices show why identified equipment hazards warrant following stop-use instructions).
• Mayo Clinic: Weight training—proper technique (stop an exercise that causes pain and use proper technique).