Bugaboo Cameleon - Recent Questions, Troubleshooting & Support

0helpful
3answers

Can we jog with baby

All depends on the quality of your local sidewalks! Lock the front wheels and tilt back when coming to any irregular surface. The Bugaboo is a versatile stroller but not really the best choice for jogging.
11/26/2018 1:48:15 PM • Bugaboo Cameleon... • Answered on Nov 26, 2018
0helpful
1answer

Cameleon wont fold down. on pulling the white

If you find this helpful please tick the box. This How to is in my tips section with other Bugaboo How to's and has been viewed by over a 170 people yet very few take the time to tick the box? 8-)
Bugaboo handle issues can be caused by faults in either the release buttons or the hubs and the first job is to try and diagnose the part causing the fault.I'll describe how the locks work then go into more detail on each part.

Two aluminum lock pins sit in channels of the inner hub and extend into pockets in the outer hub, locking the hub. These lock pins are retracted by the rotation of a plastic disk connected to the ends of the lock pins by two small plastic pins on the disk.A wire rod that clips into the disk and runs up the handle to the release button rotates the disk when pulled up buy the release button.There are two versions of the release button.The older pull up knob type and the newer rocker button type. Both versions pull up the wire rod via a plastic block clamped to the wire rod. A compression spring sits above the plastic block keeping it in the downward lock position till upward moment from the release buttons unlocks it.

A lot of locking problems are just poor lubrication so before you start opening parts, get a can of Silicon Spray (Bugaboo use to include a can in their maintenance kit).Any hardware or Gas Station will sell it.Don't use Oil based lubricants like WD40 the main reason being they stain fabrics. Remove the seat unit and lay the stroller on its side faulty hub down.Now look on the inside edge of your handle where it joins the plastic hub, you'll see two slots in the plastic hub and a wire rod in the lower slot.Spray into this slot so lubricant flows down inside the hub.Now wipe off excess with a paper towel and work the release button a few times.If you are lucky your handle now works.

No luck?Then we have to see if the fault is in the hub or the release button.Press or pull the release button while watching the wire rod in the lower slot.It should move 6 to 8 mm.If there is a resistance to this, the hub is at fault.If the rod seems to move freely but the hubs remained locked try pulling the rod a bit further up with a small pair of pliers.If this releases the hub you have a release button fault.If the hub is still locked the fault is in the hub.

Release Button Repair
The old pull up release button is easy to open, a single Phillips screw holds it on and in being so simple makes it unlikely to be your fault.
The rocker button release is not so easy.The left side is part of the brake lever assembly.Remove the two Phillips screws and the inner half of the assembly will come off rocker button attached.The brake lever, inner brake release button and spring will be loose so carefully place aside in a small container till ready to reassemble.The right side has no screws it just clips together.Use a small flat blade screwdriver to pop the joints on the front and back edge's, the inner plate with rocker button attached will come free.There is a metal plate sitting over the hole the rod is in.Take time to remember how it fits in the hole and the angle you take it out.This will make putting it back much easier. The wire rod runs though a white plastic block clamped by an inner metal block with two inset hex screws.The hex key is 0.05 inches or a 99-20 if you have Xcelite hex drivers.Adjust the rod by pulling a few mm though the block and relocking.Don't take up any more then required to unlock the hub other wise the locking rods won't fully engage in the hubs when locked.

Hub Repair
1/. Remove the capped star lock washer. This is the hardest part of the job. Most people try to leaver this off in the hope of re using. First problem with this is you will mark or damage the surrounding plastic, second problem is star locks are not intended for reuse and will never hold as well as when first used. This is a safety issue so I supply a free one with the other hub parts I sell. To find your own Google "Bak-Fin" and go to www.bakfin.com/starlock/domedcap.html , you need the number 8 Domed Star Lock email them to find your local supplier or just check out your nearest supplier of industrial fasteners. Quickest way to remove a capped washer is to carefully cut a slot in the dome with an angle grinder and then use a large screwdriver to carefully prize one side up so you can fit another screwdriver under the star lock.Note the walls of the aluminum hub axel are thin and easily distorted,make sure you only lever the capped star lock and not hub axel.Use one screwdriver as a support and another to lift off the capped star lock.macnutz_2.jpgNote it is best to open and repair one side at a time, so your moving and flexing one side of the handle does not dislodge parts in the other side.The hubs and disks are mirrors of each other and not interchangeable the locking rods are interchangeable.The side with the brake lever is left The Bugaboo parts will have an "L" after their serial numbers.

2/.Check the hubs for wear.If too badly worn or damaged you will have too much movement in the locked position.The Frog, Gecko and Chameleon use the same plastic hub so find another frame to salvage hubs from.They are held in by a single aluminum rivet.
The disks have two plastic pins that move the locking rods in and out of the inner hub. Locking into and out of the outer hub.You need to either repair the disk by drilling out the pin stumps and finding a replacement metal screw you can fit /glue in.Or (my preferred choice)have a new metal disk fabricated that will last a lifetime.The locking rods can only be replaced,either by ones salvaged from another frame or new laser cut copies.I prefer the copies as they have been cut from stainless steel.
macnutz_0.jpg

3/.Reassemble handle locking hub and check operation.If wire rods seem to be in the incorrect position, loosen the top plastic fittings where the handle extends from by removing the small self-tapping screws (note I'm now finding some frames now have pop rivets,drill them out and replace with self tappers) and wiggle things into alignment.(I use a small amount of the silicon grease used for taps to give a smooth action)If all is working well fit the new capped star lock on the hub shaft and tap home. To protect the dome finish I use a large socket from my socket set and an old rubber washer from a toilet cistern.Repeat operation on the other side.
macnutz_1.jpg
I can't emphasize enough the need to keep Bugaboo hubs well lubricated with silicon spray.They have to endure incredible forces from the handle.To give you some idea, a crow bar of the same length can pull six inch nails out of hard wood!

I do have parts available: laser cut metal disks with stainless steel pins, replacement-locking rods in stainless steel and capped star lock washers. You can contact me at[email protected]
5/31/2017 9:24:36 PM • Bugaboo Cameleon... • Answered on May 31, 2017
0answers
0helpful
1answer

What is my name

Boomarang.
10/26/2015 9:40:23 AM • Bugaboo Cameleon... • Answered on Oct 26, 2015
0helpful
1answer

Where can I get a new safety strap?

Contact bugaboo directly. The safety strap is an imporant feature of the stroller, and it should be replaced. Because it is directly connected to the chassis it is almost impossible to replace the strap apart from replacing the entire chassis.

Go to bugaboo.com and go the the contact section. Relay your situation with the strap, giving them your serial number and such and see how they respond. They may need to replace the entire chassis, but it is covered under the warranty.

If you have any further questions, or need a buffer between you and bugaboo, pelase do not hesitate to contact us. We are more than willing to help.

[email protected]

StrollerInfo
ww.StrollerInfo.com
5/31/2015 5:36:40 PM • Bugaboo Cameleon... • Answered on May 31, 2015
0helpful
2answers

Hi, i have just purchased a travel bag for my

You must completely un-assemble the stroller before storing it in the travel bag. That means removing all four wheels and detaching the bassinet fabric from the frame before placing it in the bag. There should be a diagram on the inside side of the bag which describes the order of placing the parts in the bag. The order from ground up is the seat frame with the fabric, then the stroller chassis, then the wheels.
3/2/2015 10:05:09 AM • Bugaboo Cameleon... • Answered on Mar 02, 2015
tip

HOW TO FIX A BUGABOO BRAKE


A bugaboo brake fault can be caused by any one of the three parts that make up the brake system.

1/ The cable and cable adjustment screw.
2/ The brake lever assembly.
3/ The brake shoe assembly.

I've listed the three parts in the order of most likely to cause your brake problem. First I'll give a quick over view of how the brake should work then we'll look at the 3 parts in more detail.

Lifting the brake lever up pulls up on the brake cable, a ratchet in the lever keeps any tension until you press the release button in the centre of the lever. The cable pulls up on a toothed brake shoe and via a connecting axle a matching brake shoe on the other side, these brake shoes engage a set of matching teeth on the inside rims of the rear wheels thus locking the wheels. A spring on the cable side brake shoe disengages the brake shoes when the release button disengages the ratchet in the brake lever. This is a simple system with most parts in plain view so you can see the operation of all parts except the ratchet inside the lever.

1/ The brake cable is the most likely cause of most brake problems. Like all cables they can stretch, stick and snap. If the brake lever seems to work OK but the breaks don't hold very well try adjusting the cable tension by winding out the cable adjustment screw at the bottom of the cable thus taking up any slack and bringing the brake shoes up tighter into the wheel rims. A sticky or broken cable should be obvious by observing the brake action as you pull and release the brake lever. Run some sewing machine or 3 in 1 oil down the inner cable wire if it's sticky. If broken you can make a new cable yourself. You will need a mountain bike cable a solder less nipple and 75 cm of outer cable if yours is damaged. My local bike shop sells these parts for $10.50 they have to order in the nipples. You can reuse the cable adjuster my local bike shop can get them for a $1 each!macnutz_32.jpg

The Bugaboo has an odd double nipple design. Your replacement cable will only have one end the same as the Bugaboo. The other end will be either bare or have the pear style nipple. This you would cut off. Using the old cable as your guide, you cut the new outer cable to 75 cm and fit the ferrules supplied with the kit. The matching nipple will be the top (lever) end of the cable, reuse the old adjuster and slip it on to the bottom end followed by the solder less nipple. Set the nipple 89 cm from its opposite. Depending on the cable and nipple you buy you may need to drill the plastic parts out to ease the fit I also cut the screw head off to get a better finish some nipples come with internal grub screws.
If this sounds to complicated just print this out and give it to your local bike shop. Here's one I made all ready to go!
macnutz_34.jpg
2/ The brake lever assembly is made up of the lever, a release button, a small compression spring and the outer bracket that holds it all on the handle. The bracket also holds the left handle release button. The most common problem is the ratchet fails to hold and this is a safety issue as it can fail quite suddenly!
Before reading any further have you ever lubricated you brake lever? If not do so I have quite a few brake lever faults come to me that are just sticky buttons. Use a silicone spray not WD40. Now back to real brake problems.
Either the small compression spring has broken (unlikely) the screws holding the assembly loosen (hopefully) or the teeth on the button and outer bracket have worn down (most likely). Try first to tighten the two screws, if that does not help take the two screws out. It's a simple mechanism the button sits inside the lever it can move in and out of the lever but can't turn as it has splines that lock it to the lever. A compression spring pushes the top outer edge of the button against the inner side of the bracket; they both have serrated teeth that lock them together. The raised centre of the button protrudes though the bracket. Pushing on the center of the button disengages the interlocking teeth of the ratchet. The compression spring can be found in most hardware stores, worn ratchet teeth can be reshaped with a rotary modeling tool like the Demel.

3/ If the Brake shoes are the problem it will be obvious,broken expansion springs are easily replaced, stripped threads on the cable adjuster can be sorted at your local bike shop and broken parts either repaired by a plastic welder / bumper repair shop or replaced with parts from a salvaged frame.
The most common problem is one shoe engaging before the other (usually the one opposite the brake lever) this is caused by the aluminum connecting shaft getting a slight twist in it. Remove the wheels, take the screw out of the connecting shaft of the shoe that engages first. Lever the shoe out of the aluminum shaft with a large screw driver. Chisel the alignment splines off. refit shoe but don't put the screw in yet. Refit wheels, now put the brake on and check that both wheels now lock up. While brake is still on fit screw back drilling a new hole if necessary, Release brake and adjust brake cable so break shoes just clear the wheel rims, Check brake operation if you find you cant get the lever to a suitable lock position back the cable off a bit more and try again,
0helpful
1answer

Is there any way to get rid of the scratches on my

The frame is Aluminum and picks up scratches quite easily. You can smooth them out with a fine abrasive the problem is where you rub out scratches it will look brighter so you have to do the whole area around it to match. I find triple nought steel wool and car cutting compound for paint restoration works well. You can find these in Auto supply stores. Use sillicon spray and a rag to buff up the plastic parts.
1/17/2015 12:51:15 PM • Bugaboo Cameleon... • Answered on Jan 17, 2015
Not finding what you are looking for?

479 questions posted

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Bugaboo Baby Gear Experts

Jennifer Rock
Jennifer Rock

Level 2 Expert

153 Answers

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

john h

Level 3 Expert

29494 Answers

Are you a Bugaboo Baby Gear Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

View Most Popular

Bugaboo Baby Gear

  • Forum

View Most Popular

  • Bugaboo Baby Gear
Loading...