Squeaking flying saucer

alli713 · May 21, 2009

So, one of my flying saucers is squeaking really annoyingly, and I don't remember the fix to this?

Is there a way to take the wheel apart or spray the bearings with something?

I honestly have never taken one apart so I have no clue.

alli713 · May 21, 2009

Okay, so I found the page on how to change the bearings..
http://www.chin-chillas.com/bearing_replacement.html

So does anyone have any experience with that, if it's a super high pitch squeak do you think that means the bearings need replacing?

Rickman · May 21, 2009

You could remove the bearing, have an auto shop blow it out dry after using a cleaner, and maybe use some "personal lubricant" [non-toxic] with a Q-tip, to lubricate it!
Might be easier to get new bearings, as I know Quality Cage went to sealed bearings, to avoid chinchilla dust penatration, which just wipes out the bearings! [can be seen in photo]
I don't know if Q.C.'s bearings will fit a chin-spin, though!

alli713 · May 21, 2009

Hmm okay, yeah I'll take it out of the cage tomorrow and take the dust cap off to get a better look.

It was used when I bought it so maybe I should just get some new bearings anyways.

equus_peduus · May 21, 2009

I've replaced the bearings in mine once. It was squeaky before... and wasn't squeaky after. It still isn't squeaky, and it has to have been at least two years since I replaced the bearings. It's not difficult, but I vaguely recall having to use a moderate amount of force during the process.

alli713 · May 21, 2009

Okay, so that probably is the issue. It probably got dust in it, MuShu refused to come out of the cage so I resorted to giving her dust baths in the cage and she flings the dust everywhere. So no more dust baths by the wheel!

Hopefully I don't break the thing trying to get it apart lol

rcr · May 22, 2009

Usually mine start to make a grinding sound when the bearings start to go. It only takes a minute to replace. Just pop the bearings out and tap a new one in. The older saucers don't have the dust covers but you can buy them from Meadowbrook. Then you just drill two holes in the saucer where you screw the cover on.