Braava mint tire wheel tread

[brooke11112]

My tread has come off completely. I tried various rubberbands but they were too thin to work because the robot would barely hobble. The plastic lip of the wheel continued to hit the floor. When I used two rubber bands it made the robot uneven. If there is a type of rubber band that works I've not found it.

Has anyone found a braava or mint tread or a replacement wheel that you can buy that actually works? This is ridiculous that a $300 robot is basically junk because you can't replace the rubber felt wheels.

[mfortuna]

You may want to go to a hobby store and see if you can find a RC tire with material to cut down and glue. My Mint is getting close to that point so I will be looking for a solution soon.

[vic7767]

Here's a snapshot of a google search:

[brooke11112]

I am going to try this one out. We will see.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/172555304323

[leonicholson]

I've read that 2" o-rings can work. Some say 2 per wheel, some say fill up the wheel. I suspect it would slip on wet floors.

Also read this on Amazon: "I also found substitute material for the expensive replacements... cut up pieces of that waffle weave material that is used for placemats,nonslip for rugs and for shelf lining."

I bought a cheap used one just to tinker with. Worked fine, but now has a stretched tread. I'm going to cut out a section and glue as a try.

Very poor design from the company who made the two 595 Roomba's that work flawlessly for us.

[mfortuna]

Irobot purchased Evolution and I think had nothing to do with the design of the original Mint and Braavas.

[brooke11112]

I wanted to provide an update on this problem. The rubber bands did not work. However, I purchased the replacement wheels with tread from Duckbills33 on ebay. The robot is working great again. Replacement tread materials are a little different than the original tread, but I have had no problem on either my hardwood or vinyl floors.

However, next time I'm plan to purchase the replacement treads from this seller and glue them on myself. Getting the wheels and clips for the wheel off and then back on the braava was a real challenge.

[leonicholson]

Getting the wheels and clips for the wheel off and then back on the braava was a real challenge.

Those tiny black snap clips are a real problem.

[leonicholson]

I wanted to provide an update on this problem. The rubber bands did not work. However, I purchased the replacement wheels with tread from Duckbills33 on ebay. The robot is working great again. Replacement tread materials are a little different than the original tread, but I have had no problem on either my hardwood or vinyl floors.

However, next time I'm plan to purchase the replacement treads from this seller and glue them on myself. Getting the wheels and clips for the wheel off and then back on the braava was a real challenge.

I just ordered a pair of wheels from the same vendor prior to reading your post. Do they have traction for wet mopping?

Those tiny black snap clips are a real challenge, but it would probably be more difficult to remove and install the treads without removing the wheel.

[brooke11112]

I wanted to provide an update on this problem. The rubber bands did not work. However, I purchased the replacement wheels with tread from Duckbills33 on ebay. The robot is working great again. Replacement tread materials are a little different than the original tread, but I have had no problem on either my hardwood or vinyl floors.

However, next time I'm plan to purchase the replacement treads from this seller and glue them on myself. Getting the wheels and clips for the wheel off and then back on the braava was a real challenge.

I just ordered a pair of wheels from the same vendor prior to reading your post. Do they have traction for wet mopping?

Those tiny black snap clips are a real challenge, but it would probably be more difficult to remove and install the treads without removing the wheel.

Yes, I use mine exclusively for mopping with no problem. And I will remove the top body of the braava without removing the wheels to get better access if I go with the tread option next time.

[TechGuy]

You may want to go to a hobby store and see if you can find a RC tire with material to cut down and glue. My Mint is getting close to that point so I will be looking for a solution soon.

The tires on my Mint came off from the wheels. I used plumbing Goop to glue the tires back on the wheels. Since you introduced Goop to me a few years ago, I have been using different type of Goop for my repair. Goop residue can be peeled off easily and is perfect for this application. It can be cleaned easily for next repair.

[mfortuna]

I always keep a tube of goop around the house. Great for many repairs but not for foam RC planes. Dissolved a plane I tried to repair. So be careful with foam.

[a1robotrepair]

Too funny

[iPedro]

Beware of wheels sold on Amazon. They’re listed as “wheels” plural, sometimes even referred to as “a pair” but after the long shipping time, you’ll find out that they only sent one. They claim it’s a language issue but then never update the listing. They just count on people not reporting it out of frustration and the small amount I paid. Out of the multiple listings, it appears that they all seem to be in on the same scam.

I did complain and got a second wheel but once received and installed, it became clear that they wouldn’t work. Hard rubber is slippery, even if the wheels have treads. The foam is the only real solution that works on wet floor.

By the way, I also tried o rings. Same issue as all the other hard rubber wheels. Too slippery.

I like the idea presented here of carpet cling webbing. I’m going to apply some of that to my wheels, though I’m not sure it’ll be a permanent solution.