Having a little trouble with my bug. What an understatement.
The bug is a new PL and only been assembled and broken down a dozen times or so, with no rust or damage apparent.
At first the axle came off easily with a little wiggling action, now it gets stuck. Luckily I carry it in a van full of tools so I can wrap a small sledge hammer with a towel and give it a tap or two to loosen it up. Doesn't seem right though. What am I doing wrong here?

Also the side rail to seat straps loosen up to almost coming undone. My short little runs on an inland field allow this, when I get going more it will surely be A bigger problem. Tips and tricks please?

I had/have the same problem with my flexifoil when I take it apart....purchased a dead blow hammer which worked fine but.....If you loosen up the bolts that attach the side rails to the down tube it will give the side rails a little wiggle room to nest down into the axle (your picture).....if you do that they will just slide in like butter. a little teflon dry lube wouldn't hurt either. Once they are in you can tighten up the down tube bolts again....make sure you at least put the bolts in (rear) too or side rails could twist a bit and the holes wont line up. Then you have to loosen up the down tube bolt again.

If you have extra strapping just fold it over on itself and zip tie it....this will prevent that from slipping or you can just tie the extra strap to itself....it shouldn't move after that.

Let me know how it works out.

Quote: Originally posted by BEC

...If you loosen up the bolts that attach the side rails to the down tube it will give the side rails a little wiggle room to nest down into the axle (your picture).....if you do that they will just slide in like butter. a little teflon dry lube wouldn't hurt either.

Excellent call on the downtube bolts! My buggy has also snugged up here more than it used to and I hadn't thought to try this. Thanks for this suggestion BEC. Hope this works for you Ed!

If this doesn't work as easily as I'm describing....It's because the angle that my side rails enter the axle are a bit different on my flexi. You should go buy a harbor freight dead blow hammer....plastic/rubber....not a mallet...a dead blow hammer they look the same but when you hit something you don't get that bounce. Also alternating L to R when tapping will help as well It will not mar your buggy (no towel needed).

It's the same answer to almost all questions of this nature

BIGGER HAMMER!

Y'all hit it right on the head. Dead blow is the way to go.

The new bug down tube bolt works like a clamp and doesn't go through the tube at all. I believe the tube better stay clamped. Teflon, yeah. WD40 attracts dirt so I ruled it out.
I appreciate the advice and especially the permission to use a "BFH. I always wonder a little when I get out the hammer that someone might get the idea that I don't know what I'm doing.
I don't of course, but there's no reason to advertise it anymore that I have to. Thanks again.
Tie ties I got. Problem solved.

I have two Peter Lynn Bigfoot buggies that I use often. I find that a rubber mallet works very well if I lift the buggy by the seat straps and hit the axle on both sides. Since I put them together and take them apart each time I use them, I have considerale practice with the rubber mallet and highly recommend using one.

I noticed the same with my new model PL. First few times the axle removed very easy. Then I had to purchase a Harbor Fright dead blow hammer. I also drilled and pinned my axle so it would stay silent. My straps giggle loose constantly. There is a way to route the straps in the buckles and they will stay locked in place; but they are a BEAR to adjust. I noticed it on my sister's kids stroller one day. I thought "why won't that slide", then looked at the buckle and thought "smart..."

Cleaver for sure; it never crossed my mind to route the strap like that. Only recommended for permanently set straps.

Basically the strap goes in and out of the same slot and wraps around the end of the buckle: