How do I change my buggy bearings

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Changing bearings in buggy wheels is usually very straightforward and should be easily acomplished by following the steps below. This guide assumes that you are changing bearings in standard barrow wheels:

  1. You will need two new bearings for each wheel:
    Image:Bearings 6201.gif
  2. Place the buggy wheel on a flat surface with one bearing facing up:
    Image:PhotoRequired.jpg
  3. Inside the wheel between the two bearings is a section of tube called an inner wheel spacer:
    Image:PhotoRequired.jpg
  4. Place a flat bladed screwdriver through the central hole in the upper bearing and about half way through the wheel:
    Image:PhotoRequired.jpg
  5. Press the screwdriver against the inner wall of the spacer. It should move slightly to one side:
    Image:PhotoRequired.jpg
  6. Slide the screwdriver down until it is touching the inner edge on the face of the other bearing:
    Image:PhotoRequired.jpg
  7. Tap the screwdriver gently with a hammer and work your way around the edge in a circular motion. This allows the bearing to come out evenly and not get jammed:
    Image:PhotoRequired.jpg
  8. The bearing will fall onto the surface below, along with the spacer:
    Image:PhotoRequired.jpg
  9. Turn the wheel over and tap out the other bearing:
    Image:PhotoRequired.jpg
  10. Clean the inside surfaces of the wheel hub and spacer. Baby wipes are excellent for removing any dirt and grease:
    Image:PhotoRequired.jpg
  11. Press one new bearing into place, applying even pressure on the outside ring of the bearing only. It must go in evenly without jamming. If tight, use a suitable 1/2 inch drive socket and tap that(a 25mm one works well for 12mm barrow bearings):
    Image:PhotoRequired.jpg
  12. Turn the wheel over and re-fit the spacer:
    Image:PhotoRequired.jpg
  13. This is a good time to fit tape on the spacer to help it self centre in the wheel if you often have to remove your wheels:
    Image:PhotoRequired.jpg
  14. Re-fit the second bearing - Job done :-)

Whilst changing the bearings it is also worthwhile checking that the spacers are not too short. They can become shortened if the axle bolts are overtightened. If too short, they can lead to very early failure of any replacement bearings, often within hours of use. There should ideally be no more than about 1mm slack between the inner faces of the two bearings and the spacer when the bearings are properly seated.


--Badger 23:20, 14 November 2008 (UTC)

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