Repair a Stuck Wheel on a Thule Chariot CX

Template:CleanupThe stuck of Thule Chariot CX rear wheels in the frame seems to be a common failure of this stroller type. Luckily it could be easily repaired.

The cause of the described failure is galvanic corrosion between different metals used in the stroller frame and wheel axis. The failure could be theoretically avoided by using the stroller in dry conditions or precisely drying the wheels and frame after every use.

Steps

1. Disassemble the wheel from its axis
   • Remove plastic cap with a screwdriver (The plastic cab will be slightly scratched but it is an easy method)
   • Fully release the nut under the cap
   • The wheel could be removed from the wheel axis stuck in the stroller frame
2. Remove the wheel axis from the stroller frame.  The axis could be removed by using alligator pliers. The axis should be clamped tightly in pliers and turned out from the frame. There should be applied pull force from the frame and simultaneous turning clockwise and counterclockwise. The axis should be pulled from the frame after a while of effort.
3. Prepare the cleaning tool. The wheel axis pulled out of the frame could not be probably completely pushed back. The axis gets stuck in the incomplete inserted position. That could be solved by using sandpaper.  Find a wooden stick with a diameter that comfortably fits in the frame wheel holder.  Make a longitudinal groove in it. Take a strip of fine sandpaper, apply glue to the backside of the sandpaper and fit it in the groove in the wooden stick. Turn the rest of the strip length around the wooden stick.
4. Make a mark on maximum possible dept to insert. Take the wooden stick with a sandpaper strip and the wheel axis. Make a mark on the wooden stick at the maximum possible insertion in the stroller frame. This step is important because it avoids sandpaper getting stuck in the stroller frame.
5. Insert the cleaning tool. Clamp the opposite end of the wooden stick to a drill and insert the end with a sandpaper strip in the axis hole in the stroller frame. The insertion depth should be at the maximum depth marked in the previous step. Do not insert the wooden stick with the sandpaper too much.
6. Clean the frame wheel axis mount hole
   • Switch the direction of rotation of the drill in the direction of the sandpaper winding on the stick.
   • Then turn on the drill at medium speed.
   • Wobble with the rotating stick in the hole in different depths several times
7. Test the result. Blow out dust created during the previous cleaning step. The axis should fit in the stroller frame until the depth of the retaining ring.
   • If it is not possible to insert the wheel axis until the retaining ring repeats step 6.
   • If the wheel axis could be inserted into the stroller frame and easily pulled back, proceed to another step.
8. Fit the wheel axis back into the wheel
   • Clamp the axis with alligator pliers and hold it to counter react rotation of axis during mounting of nut.
   • The wheel axis nut could be mounted back in the wheel and tightened slightly.
   • Fit the plastic cap back in the wheel center.
9. Repair is complete. Fit the wheel back in the Thule Chariot CX frame. The wheel should be released and pulled back easily as the new.

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