From this post, I got the idea to remove and replace the wheels altogether using a hacksaw.
Here’s what it looks like right now. My problem now is that I can’t remove the leftover metal shaft from the caster wheel.
I’ve tried using some lubricant and hammering it with a screwdriver but it didn’t budge.
Once you take it apart, you’re unlikely to be able to buy new wheels. Better to replace the whole unit - I did this just last week with an office chair.
Pull the entire black part out of the gray part but don’t throw it away yet. Bring the old castors to the hardware store to check the size and shape when you buy new castors. In Australia, new ones are sold like this:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/move-it-50mm-black-hooded-office-chair-castor-2-pack_p3940114
You should be able to find something similar where you are.
I assume the metal axis is probably molten firmly into the plastics with some kind of knurling. So probably you are going to break the plastics if you are trying to push it through. As suggested by others, a solution may be to try to drill it out. The other option I see, is to remove the whole black part and replace it by new rollers which have standardized shafts are when dedicated for furniture.
I would expect that the wheel shaft has a flange or maybe some knurling on it to prevent it from coming loose. You will probably need to drill it out. I wish you the best of luck on your journey, you will learn a lot about how things are made. I also expect that this will end with you buying a new castor or a new suitcase.
The amount of work (parts, tools and time) required to do a good job repairing that isn’t worth it. Just buy a whole new caster wheel.
Yes but if it’s anything like office chairs casters, there are 2 standard sizes (of course), the 10 and the 11 mm
Yes. Replace the whole caster. Whats not standard is the diameter of the wheels, which for luggage, i would keep them the same size or a similar small size. To keep it from being too top heavy and to make sure it fits in the overhead compartments of a plane. Double check your casters to make sure they have standard stems/the same ones as the ones you want to purchase.
Drill it out. Start with say a 2.5 mill and go up in size until the metal is gone
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