Recreational & Family - fixing up old Burley trailer

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swen0171
06-03-11, 07:33 AM
Hi all, this is my first post in this section (been over in C&V for years) because my first is now old enough to ride in a trailer. Luckily, he loves it. I was also lucky to pick up an early model (90s) Burley Solo trailer last summer on C-List. Got a great deal on it ($25) because it was in a rural area and posted on the Baby page. It is in perfect, unused condition and is a beautiful little trailer.

My question concerns the fact that the wheels are loosely mounted. They are safe (they are not going to fall off) and I believe as installed in the factory but they have enough play in them that if they where on a bike I'd immediately tighten the cones.

It looks to me like they are a very simple axel and bearing situation. Anyone have them apart? I guess I should just take them apart and see what's what, but I'm loath to pull apart the trailer as it's working right now and I use it almost everyday to drop the boy off at daycare on my way to work. And with the kid there is just so much less time to do projects.

Anyone fix up an older trailer like this, or upgrade the bearings?

MNBikeCommuter
06-03-11, 01:31 PM
I've got a Burley d'Lite from that era and the bearings on that are the typical cone/balls/race. I'd guess the Solo's are the same. Go for it!
swen0171
06-03-11, 02:25 PM
Thanks, that means I have to take it apart. Good project for the weekend!

swen0171
06-05-11, 09:44 AM
Pulled it apart yesterday and did not find standard cones/ball bearings. I can't figure out how to access the bearings at all. It seems like they are stamped into the wheels. I lubed everything up as well as I could but can't figure out how to tighten the mechanism because. Any ideas?
MNBikeCommuter
06-05-11, 10:03 AM
Without pictures, the guessing really begins here. :-) It sounds like they may cartridge bearings. Do they look like this?

http://www.burley.com/home/bur/page_185_10

If so, the three things off the top of my head are that the bearings need replacing, which would surprise me since it's like new; or the bearings/wheels are sliding on the axle, and a washer or two might take up the space; or the inside bearing diameter is slightly larger than the axle diameter, so there's some rattle there.

Glad I'm not getting paid for this advice, and take it as such. :-)