The spring of forklifts

[legotrainfan]

I have two forklift trucks with a problem. One truck doesn't have a spring for the lifting mechanism anymore. The other fork lift truck still has a spring, but it is terribly worn out. My question is: Where can you get springs? I phoned TLC and they told me I had to buy the whole lift fork assembly, but I only need the spring. Even on bricklink I only find the complete assembly. Does the spring have no separate element number, so that I could find it on bricklink?

[simonwillems]

A quick search learns me that the element number of the forklift spring is bb217.

This element number is het same for both the small and the big forklift piece. Bricklink states that the smaller forklift uses a smaller spring (with 35 "turns" instead of the larger one with 60 "turns").

There is only one seller of the spring, and he sells a reproduction of the bigger spring.

[Grrr]

Try breaking apart a few ballpoint pens. I found a near perfect match in a pen a while ago. Sorry, I can't recall the brand of the pen.

[mania3]

And naturally make sure the pens have a clicking mechanism.

[legotrainfan]

Thanks for your tips, guys!

[5150 Lego]

You can also try hobby stores. Many have parts like this for RC planes. Some of the cheaper models use springs for the landing gearsand such.