Disassembling a Set

[JLiu15]

Hey guys, so I got the 42099 set and built it today. However, one of the steps (#154) involves pushing in a 4L axle with center stop into a frame assembly such that pulling it out is the only way to take apart the assembly (the other end's a 5.5L axle with stop so not possible to pull it out that way), and it's only exposed one stud out of the frame. To make matters worse, new Lego pieces are generally very tight-fitting, and the 4L axle goes through both a 12T gear and an axle joiner. I was hesitant to insert the 4L axle at first and tried to think of alternatives, but decided to go with what's on the instructions. I'm already stressed about taking it apart lol - looks like pulling out that 4L axle is gonna be a nightmare...

So my question is, have any of you guys successfully disassembled the 42099 (or any assembly that's difficult to take apart like the aforementioned, for that matter) piece by piece while minimizing damage to the pieces? How did you do it? It looks like the only way I can get the 4L axle out is by pulling it out with pliers or something - it'll leave a mark on the piece, but that's better than cutting up the frame or the axle joiner or something. I'd hate to damage a brand new piece like that, but if it's what I gotta do then it's what I gotta do I guess...

Edited June 19, 2020 by JLiu15
Meant pliers, not tongs

[JonathanM]

In case you can't get a good grip with fingers, just use something soft (a t-shirt, cloth etc) and a pair of pliers will be fine - you won't need to grip onto it particularly hard to pull it out.

[JLiu15]

40 minutes ago, JonathanM said:

In case you can't get a good grip with fingers, just use something soft (a t-shirt, cloth etc) and a pair of pliers will be fine - you won't need to grip onto it particularly hard to pull it out.

My plan is also to use pliers, but your idea of wrapping the axle in cloth is genius lol - looks like that’ll prevent scratching/denting it.

I’ll see how it goes when it comes time to disassemble it. Hopefully no parts are damaged in the process lol.

[Dylan M]

Why Lego didn't make bricks for removing Technic pieces(like in system bricks) but CaDa has it...

[TechnicRCRacer]

Thin tweezers can fit around an axle in a pinhole. I used this trick to take apart several “impossible” assemblies.

[ScT]

I took apart this very assembly last night, and it was tough. I couldn't grip it with fingers alone, so i used tweezers and wrapped my shirt on it slightly. Provided enough grip, but was still very tough! I suppose needle-nose pliers would've been a better idea.

[konryd]

When I don't have tweezers lying around I sometimes use a paper tissue, fold it a few times and put some water on it for the grip.

[howitzer]

I don't have the set but if I understood the instructions step correctly, replacing the tan axle with 4L axle with end stop should do the trick. You can grip the end stop with fingernails so it's easy enough to pull out even without tools.

[MinusAndy]

Mine came apart without any problems. I do have some “brick pliers” that I bought on eBay a while back that are great for getting tricky pins out. They have rubber jaws and are shaped to grip axles and pins.

[astyanax]

More fun here:

https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/81402-impossible-lego/

[Kostq]

Or you can use two 2l x 1l x 0.5l double cross beams /half height/ - these are GRIPPY!

[JLiu15]

7 hours ago, ScT said:

I took apart this very assembly last night, and it was tough. I couldn't grip it with fingers alone, so i used tweezers and wrapped my shirt on it slightly. Provided enough grip, but was still very tough! I suppose needle-nose pliers would've been a better idea.

Nice, so you were able to take it apart! Gives me some confidence. 

What are some other assemblies in the set that gave you a hard time taking apart? It looks like pulling out the 3L pins holding the rear axle drive motor to the turntable might be difficult, but I suppose if all else fails I could just run a piece of floss through the hole on the side of the pin and pull it out (a trick I saw on YouTube).

5 hours ago, howitzer said:

I don't have the set but if I understood the instructions step correctly, replacing the tan axle with 4L axle with end stop should do the trick. You can grip the end stop with fingernails so it's easy enough to pull out even without tools.

Lmao I was actually thinking of doing that, like waiting to put the dog bone frame on before inserting the 4L axle with stop. Looks like I should’ve in retrospect, because I tend to not keep my sets built for too long before taking them apart for pieces...

3 hours ago, GTS said:

Or you can use two 2l x 1l x 0.5l double cross beams /half height/ - these are GRIPPY!

You mean this piece?

Edited June 19, 2020 by JLiu15

[Kostq]

Exactly. Two of these and almost every axle is out.

[ScT]

Another trick i use to get them out - is see if they can be pushed from the other side with a longer axle. i.e. axles being used as "pins", can usually be pushed out from the other side with say a 10 long axle.

17 hours ago, JLiu15 said:

What are some other assemblies in the set that gave you a hard time taking apart?

There wasn't really anything else that was difficult - usually the locked in place things just needed another piece removing first, which wasn't entirely obvious to begin with, but with a few seconds of thought was okay. :)

[JLiu15]

6 hours ago, ScT said:

Another trick i use to get them out - is see if they can be pushed from the other side with a longer axle.

 

On 6/18/2020 at 9:32 PM, JLiu15 said:

the other end's a 5.5L axle with stop so not possible to pull it out that way

Except it’s not possible here...

[JLiu15]

UPDATE: I successfully disassembled the assembly in question. I ended up using pliers with paper wrapped around the 4L axle to prevent damage. It worked flawlessly, and everything came apart with minimal damage.