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Old 05-27-2017, 02:58 AM   #1
FelicityAnn
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Question Trixie wooden wheel (28cms) - wobbling!

Anyone else had problems with the Trixie wooden wheel wobbling on its spindle?

I've got the 28cms size, and it is very stable on it's base, and perfectly level - I used a spirit level. But it wobbles on the spindle, which can't be got at to see what the problem is. It's as though the inset where the spindle meets the wheel was made slightly bigger than it needed to be. At times it wobbles so much when Esmeralda is running that it makes a regular 'clunk' sound.

I've only had it since the end of March I really like the wheel, and so does Esme, so I sent for another one from zooplus.de. After unpacking it, and before putting it in the cage, the new one wobbles as well.

Zooplus has refunded me my money (plus a 5% discount voucher), but that's not what I wanted. I wanted to know what the problem is, and how to fix it! They say that they've had no other complaints / comments about this wheel. I've even written to Trixie themselves, but am waiting for their reply.

I'd be really interested to know if anyone else has had this problem.
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Old 05-27-2017, 03:12 AM   #2
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Default Re: Trixie wooden wheel (28cms) - wobbling!

I've never had the wooden wheel but had the same issue with the plastic wheel. Same problem. Wobbling on the spindle and knocking off the stand. Very loud. Annoying because I loved the look of the wheel.
I think it's just an error that can happen when making them. Some will have it, some won't.
I just gave up and bought a different type of wheel but you could keep buying and returning until you find one. Very time consuming though.

If you do go for a diffeeent wheel, I highly recommend the silent runner. So quiet and made very well.
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Old 05-27-2017, 03:50 AM   #3
FelicityAnn
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Default Re: Trixie wooden wheel (28cms) - wobbling!

Quote:
Originally Posted by SabreRose View Post
.

If you do go for a different wheel, I highly recommend the silent runner. So quiet and made very well.
I would LOVE one of those, but the problem is, that to get it shipped to Spain doubles the price - and it's not cheap to begin with!

I'm going to put the new one in the cage, then give the old one to my OH to play with. Perhaps he can fix the problem. If he does, i'll share the results.
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Old 05-27-2017, 04:09 AM   #4
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Default Re: Trixie wooden wheel (28cms) - wobbling!

I have only recently bought the wooden Trixie wheel just over a week ago. I've just checked mine and it does have a slight wobble but nothing too noticeable.
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Old 05-27-2017, 04:16 AM   #5
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Default Re: Trixie wooden wheel (28cms) - wobbling!

My old (now) wooden wheel from zooplus is a bit wobbly and it sticks a bit due to warping (having been washed many times). It was painted with paint safe waterproof paint but still managed to warp.

I use it as a play wheel for Arun, who now has a silent runner.

Hope your OH is able to fix it.
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Old 05-27-2017, 04:18 AM   #6
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Default Re: Trixie wooden wheel (28cms) - wobbling!

Quote:
Originally Posted by SKB_Hamsters View Post
I have only recently bought the wooden Trixie wheel just over a week ago. I've just checked mine and it does have a slight wobble but nothing too noticeable.
That's how mine was at the beginning. It's really, really quiet, isn't it? It will be interesting to see if yours develops the 'clunk' after a while. Or if my new one develops it as well.

Perhaps we should all write to Trixie to let them know...
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Old 05-27-2017, 04:23 AM   #7
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Default Re: Trixie wooden wheel (28cms) - wobbling!

Quote:
Originally Posted by flowerfairy View Post
My old (now) wooden wheel from zooplus is a bit wobbly and it sticks a bit due to warping (having been washed many times). It was painted with paint safe waterproof paint but still managed to warp.

I use it as a play wheel for Arun, who now has a silent runner.

Hope your OH is able to fix it.
I haven't submerged mine in water, only wiped it over with a damp cloth, so I don't think it's that. Perhaps Esmeralda needs to go on a diet!!

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Old 05-27-2017, 05:08 AM   #8
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Default Re: Trixie wooden wheel (28cms) - wobbling!

OK, so we've solved the question of WHY it's wobbling:

with two very long, very big screwdrivers (and me holding the base steady) my OH carefully prised the wheel and spindle from the stand.

The stand just has a hole in it where the spindle sits, and the spindle has a cover with a split in it (like a split pin). This is supposed to contract / expand when it's put into the hole in the stand.

I think the problem is that either the hole is ever so slightly too big, so that the spindle casing is not held tight in the hole, or the wood of the hole wears away with use. If there were a plastic lining to the hole, this wouldn't happen.

My OH stuck duct tape over the spindle casing - lengthwise, not round it - cut off the 'ears' of the tape and smoothed it down really well.

He then knocked the wheel back on to the stand with a rubber hammer, making sure to hit it directly in the centre, over the spindle. He made sure the distance between the stand & the wheel was the same as before.

Result: almost no wobble! And certainly no 'clunking' noise. I think I'm going to write to Trixie again and tell them what we did.

But, of course, if they DID remedy this, then they wouldn't sell as many wheels, would they? It's called 'built-in obsolescence', but I think it should really last more than a couple of months, don't you?

If the duct tape wears, we'll just do it again.
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Old 05-27-2017, 01:07 PM   #9
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Default Re: Trixie wooden wheel (28cms) - wobbling!

Glad to hear you've managed to solve the wobbly wheel Esmie will be pleased!
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Old 05-28-2017, 03:12 PM   #10
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Default Re: Trixie wooden wheel (28cms) - wobbling!

Glad to hear that you and your OH have manage to solve this issue. I will definitely make note of this just in case mine gets really wobbly and clunky - although Pumpkin's is in her play bin so it not used as often as her two wheel in her cage so hopefully it won't get wobbly and clunky too soon. Thank you for sharing how you repaired this issue I'm sure other people (including myself) will find this really useful.
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