RÉPARER
How to maintain your Yoyo stroller and extend the life of its wheels?
| Did you know ? If you maintain your stroller regularly and you don't have to take it to the repair box, you will save on average €50 and the icing on the cake you will divide your carbon footprint by 10!
With more than 300 repairs to our credit since the start of our activity in December 2021, we have noticed that wheel breakage is the most recurring problem on the Babyzen Yoyo. We have therefore decided to share with you some little tips that will help you avoid going through this!
Without maintenance, here is what awaits you:
- Warped rear wheels, with a brake that no longer works correctly and in the worst case the wheel becomes completely detached from the stroller.
- Front wheels touching the wheel arch. You feel a feeling of significant braking, especially when baby is on board!
Rear wheel that ends up breaking
Front wheel touching the wheel arch
The source of these two problems is the ball bearing of your wheel which eventually breaks.
If you observe signs of wear such as marks on the axle (see photo), it is advisable to replace the axle.
And inevitably a misfortune never happens alone : with the lack of maintenance, the inner ring of the bearing remains stuck on the axle of the wheel (front and rear) and the repair becomes extremely complicated
Rings stuck on the rear axle
The results
- Consequence 1 : The stroller is unusable
- Consequence 2 : Replacing the wheel requires the intervention of a professional
What is the ball bearing in your stroller?
A ball bearing is a mechanical element which allows the rotation of a rotating element (here your wheel), relative to a fixed element (here your axis). It is composed of an inner ring, an outer ring and balls between these two rings held in position by the ball cage. Everything is lubricated with grease to reduce friction and wear. The bearing is equipped with seals to retain lubricant and prevent the entry of dust and moisture. As time passes, lubricant leaks from the bearing, moisture and impurities take hold. The bearing seizes and eventually breaks.
How can we avoid getting to this point? Spoiler alert: You need to maintain your stroller
#1. Remove moisture and impurities from the wheels
To prevent moisture from building up in your bearings, you must apply penetrating oil. This also helps lubricate the axles and will prevent the inner ring from sticking, which could complicate the disassembly process.
It is recommended to follow the following lubrication intervals:
- Every 3 months under normal conditions in dry weather, particularly in urban areas
- After a day of rain, you should let the stroller dry and then lubricate it.
- After the vacation period (especially at the seaside where salt is present and accelerates corrosion), it is advisable to rinse with clean water, let it dry, then lubricate.
In our experience, we have found that after about 3 years of urban use, parents start to experience problems with their wheels. Like any mechanical element, your bearing has a limited lifespan and they must be replaced.
Here is the protocol to follow:
- Remove the wheels by dismantling them.
- Replace the bearings (tutorial at the end of the article available soon)
#3. How to lubricate properly?
We recommend that you use a penetrating oil with a precision pipette application system (it's like a small straw). You will need to apply the penetrating oil to these key areas:
Apply the penetrating oil once, roll the wheel a little so that it goes everywhere, and repeat this operation 2 or 3 times.
Our links to our spare parts and our tutorial:
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***Tutorial which illustrates how to maintain your upcoming stroller***
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Link to the 8 bearings: here
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Link to rear wheel axles: here
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Link to front wheel axles: here
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Link to keys: here
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Link to the 4 spare wheels: here
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Link to the eco-friendly penetrating oil: here
Taking care of your Babyzen Yoyo stroller is an investment in its lifespan and proper functioning on a daily basis. By following these maintenance tips, you will enjoy a stroller that will confidently accompany you on your adventures with your child.
If you plan to resell your stroller in the future (in Biicou for example, it's right here ), regular maintenance can help maintain its residual value. Potential buyers will be more likely to pay a higher price for a stroller that has been well maintained and shows little wear and tear.
In the event of a problem, you can contact us at the following email address: contact@biicou.com