Saturday, 28 November 2020

Fixing loose Lego trailer axles

Lego trailer with loose front axle

Lego trailers have a steering front axle that can't be removed, a heat-shaped flange keeping them in place inside the trailer frame. Many of those front axles have been removed anyway, but thankfully a good number haven't been lost completely. The photos show the Vreede method of fixing them back in place.

Lego trailer with loose axle, broken Lego part with lug cut off by cutter

A broken Lego part of the right type (cellulose acetate or ABS) provides the top of a lug, cut off with a sturdy cutter. This is sanded down to make it a bit thinner and for an even surface on both sides using 400 grit sandpaper or even coarser.

Lego trailer and loose axle with new flange glued on

The pin of the trailer is also slightly sanded down (a millimetre at most), and then the round piece is superglued on top of the pin. Letting the superglue thoroughly dry for 24 hours is recommended before continuing.

Lego trailer axle with new flanged properly shaped

Next, the edge of the flange is completely sanded away at front and rear, so that it's even with the pin. The edge of the flange is sanded so it's narrower at the top than at the lower end. All of this is to allow it to get into the hole in the trailer frame and then stay put.

Loose Lego trailer axle with groove cut in pin by Dremel cutting disc

The pin won't get into the hole as it is, so a cut is made with a cutting disc on a Dremel mini-drill. This will melt as much as cut, but the displaced plastic is easily removed. When finished the two halves of the pin will have enough give to -gently- insert them into the hole in the trailer frame. Make sure they're still straight at the outer sides after cutting the groove; give them a pinch if they're not.

Lego trailer with front axle back in place

First insert the flange on one side, push the axle towards that side and turn it towards the trailer so the other half of the pin gets gently pushed in as well. Once it's in, the axle stays in place again without falling out. It may drop down a bit lower than it did originally because the flange is now on top of the pin instead of around the top, but that should be the only visible difference.

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