Fixing Broken LEGO Universal Joint 3 (61903)

[doug72]

I have many of these that have cracked end axle bushes and have  tried fixing the crack with ABS liquid glue without success.

A simple & cheap way to fix them is to use a loom band wrapped several times around the cracked axle  bush to restore its clutch power.

Will also work with the older 4L universal joints.

In most case the band will not interfere with adjacent parts.

Edited January 7, 2019 by Doug72

[Jurss]

Simple solution.

Maybe some kind of narrow, self adhesive band can be used?

[Johnny1360]

Hmm, makes me wonder, how well would shrink tubing work? 

[doug72]

1 hour ago, Jurss said:

Simple solution.

Maybe some kind of narrow, self adhesive band can be used?

Tried that before but self adhesive band tends to creep over time and loosen again.
Heat strink tubing might work as do small "o" rings.

[TeamThrifty]

..or buy 50 off ebay for very little money. Thats what i did. Surely its easier than messing around with shrink tubing and elastic bands?! They cost me about £5... push the boat out!!

Correction, they were 4.50 Eur off bricklink.. even less money than i thought

 

[gate]

Never broke a them simililarly to picture above.

My u-joints always tend to break like this:

[1gor]

42 minutes ago, TeamThrifty said:

..or buy 50 off ebay for very little money. Thats what i did. Surely its easier than messing around with shrink tubing and elastic bands?! They cost me about £5... push the boat out!!

Correction, they were 4.50 Eur off bricklink.. even less money than i thought

 

I know what you mean; I have bought 100 of them for few EUR and use broken to test particular solution (angle, distance...) and when I'm absolutely sure that solution is good then I use new ones... 

Rubber band usually is in the way in my case, so it is no help but nove from you @Doug72 for suggestion 

[nerdsforprez]

Ive been doing this for a long time. Works really well.

http://www.moc-pages.com/moc.php/441915

 

Of im not mistaken... @Didumos69also used this method on his rc buggy with success.  

If you place the band on the u joints before they crack you can avoid a break altogether.