Removing an axle clip

One like this

Bob

So 4 of them is about the cost of a new toy car. And it will take time to get them. I shall invent a way of removing them without damage. You should know that I always find a way.

Slowly. You can normally get them off by using a pointed bradawl type tool to lever each leaf up a little bit at a time working your way around the fitting the same way. With a bit of luck the fitting will work its way off and still be useable. If it is capped its more difficult, oil the fitting well and go around with a flat bladed screwdriver levering by turning the screwdriver blade. This often doesn't work however. I've also seen one removed by clamping a Mole wrench on it an "unscrewing" it by levering and turning at the same time.

NZ$226.32!! really?

Check eBay

There seems to be something seriously amiss with that site in that they sell

but

As the on the site is dynamic I suspect someone has added an extra 15 because 15 x 15 = 225 and 225 washers for 226.32 equals a unit price of a far more realistic NZ$1.0 each.

So the price shown is for 15 packs each of 15 Starlocks, 225 in total.

They have made the same mistake with all on that page (and probably others).

It is possible to make a tool that can apply pressure to the inside of the clips only..like a split tube you can slip over the shaft behind and then push them off.

That's what I normally do - every once in a while one will still break, I've found - but often they've been sitting a while in less than favourable conditions anyway, so replacement isn't such a bad idea.

cheers

Jules

If you can slip a bit of coke can around the axle and slide it into the clips it will slide off, then you remove the coke can as it collapses without the axle to support it.

Yes I shall invent something like that. Then make some new nylon bushes for the wheels.

I made a tool like a Z shape and used it to successfully remove the clips. One end touched the spring clips and I could tap the other end with a hammer.