Why are RED Bushings and axle connectors so weak and brittle?

[TechnicJuan]

I am sure many of you have noticed this problem with the small red technic parts, they all seem to crack at some point. Any thoughts?

[Buttons]

With how much force do you use o the bush's because I have never had this problem.

[Front]

A lot of the small Technic elements with cross-holes are very thin. This ensures the function between the cross-hole and cross-axle. But it also results in elements that may be easy to break, if the elements are not perfectly manufactured. And one factor is material and it's not ABS. You may have had elements from a "bad" batch.

I have broken some small technic

elementss, but I think that most of them were black. I'm not sure if some colours are weaker than others, and think it more likely may be down to a "bad" batch. But I also think that some elements will break as a result of extensive use.

Tell costumer service about it, because that way development can get feedback, and consider if actions needs to be taken. And you would probably recieve replacement elements.

Edited March 23, 2009 by Front

[Natman8000]

I didnt notice this with mine. I think it really all depends on how you treat them. If you jam the axles in to things to hard or the wrong way they might be more prone to breaking. Red may be a more brittle color though, as is lime green.

[Ricecracker]

Well, depending on how much force you exert, all Lego parts are bound to 'expire'. I don't think it's just red, as I heard it is actually one of the strongest colours, which leads me to this:

I'm not sure if some colours are weaker than others, and think it more likely may be down to a "bad" batch. But I also think that some elements will break as a result of extensive use.

I'm actually almost positive that some are weaker than others. I'm pretty sure that Trans-Clear is one of the weakest, and that red is one of the strongest. I'll try and find a reliable source to confirm this.

[Front]

Well, depending on how much force you exert, all Lego parts are bound to 'expire'. I don't think it's just red, as I heard it is actually one of the strongest colours, which leads me to this:

I'm actually almost positive that some are weaker than others. I'm pretty sure that Trans-Clear is one of the weakest, and that red is one of the strongest. I'll try and find a reliable source to confirm this.

Translucent elements are surely weaker, and they are hardly ever seen as technic elements like this:

Axle Connector with Axle Hole

[Ricecracker]

Translucent elements are surely weaker, and they are hardly ever seen as technic elements like this:

Axle Connector with Axle Hole

I was just trying to give a generic example to do with the colour issue, not just one specific to Technic .

[TechnicJuan]

I am not even talking about using "Force" on the pieces. I have some models with just a red bushing over and axle and you can see it is cracked right across the middle, I replaced it and the new one is crcked now too. I have also noticed cracking in these red pieces:

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?P=3713

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?P=44

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?P=6536

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?P=32039

The pieces just don't have the same "Feel" as the common black parts. The plastic just seems weaker.

[CP5670]

I haven't really noticed this, but I don't have that many red bushings. The bushing in general is a little prone to cracking after a lot of use though, regardless of the color. It has always been a problem with them over the years, although TLG has tweaked them a lot over time and I think they are better now than they once used to be. The same can be said about some types of axle connectors, especially this one.

Well, depending on how much force you exert, all Lego parts are bound to 'expire'.

Most Lego pieces are quite robust and will last for decades if you aren't too rough on them, but a few of these basic Technic pieces are more prone to issues.

[Blakbird]

I am sure many of you have noticed this problem with the small red technic parts, they all seem to crack at some point. Any thoughts?

Hmmm. I have many thousands of axles, connectors, and pins in both red and black and I don't think I have ever broken any of them. The only parts that have broken are gears and thin liftarms (with axle holes) and none of them were red. I would have said a bad batch but you said it happened again. What are you doing with your parts? They are not for use in commercial machinery.