Tight and stiff brand new Lego Technic axles and pins

[thomas92]

Has anybody else notices that it takes quite a bit of effort to insert friction pins and axles form new sets?

I added two screenshots from steps in the Volvo FMX Truck & EC230 Electric Excavator sets. I could have chosen any step from this set really😅

It takes quite a bit of twisting and turning to put elements together. In fact it takes a toll on my finger, and it slows down the building process.

This set is from 2024 though, perhaps that plays a role, although I bought it a couple of weeks ago.

Ironically this used to be a critique on alternative brands such as CaDa and Mould King, although supposedly they have resolved that now.

[Kostq]

42148 had the opposite problem - after two insertions the axles were loose - the wheels kept falling off.

[thomas92]

The wheels in 42148 are connected with non friction pins right? Those tend to be a bit loose indeed :)

[williamyzfr1]

I built a 42096 about 5 years ago & late last year I took it out of its display case to compare it with a modified Rebrickable 42096 (Lukas 2020) that I had just built. I found parts of it were breaking off as I handled it. I ended up rebuilding it & had to replace all off the black pins & many of the blue pins because they had turned brittle . I sent pictures of the trays of snapped pins to Lego who offered to replace them but I had already done that.

Edited March 1 by williamyzfr1

[thomas92]

Interesting, that could be a reason the pins are so stiff of course, for longevity when used in display pieces.

I can imagine that is a big factor. Although I usually take my builds apart fairly quickly (definitely not 5 years😄). I would think they also want to optimize the initial building experience though.

[falconluan]

5 hours ago, williamyzfr1 said:

I found parts of it were breaking off as I handled it. I ended up rebuilding it & had to replace all off the black pins & many of the blue pins because they had turned brittle .

I found some broken parts when building stuffer these days too. There are cracks at parts like 6536 and 32039, my first lego part dates back to 2013, maybe more than 10 years is too old for a part.