Clam Piece Issue (Part 30218)

[Lego Spy]

So, I recently acquired set 10243 Parisian Restaurant, and I noticed that there seems to be an issue with both of my clam pieces included in the set.

Whenever closed, they both pop out after a few seconds.

Upon taking them out of the packaging, they looked perfectly fine, but as soon as I tried to close one, it popped back open. The second one was working fine the first day I had it, but the day after, I woke up and found that it would no longer stay closed as well.

Has anyone else had this problem, or know why it occurs?

(I plan on contacting Lego Customer Service soon. )

Here's the piece, for reference:

[TheLegoDr]

I don't own the set. I have other clam pieces that don't pop open though.

I have seen a lot of comments on this in the PR thread. I think someone mentioned bending the hinge part forward to make it stay?

I'm sure you could contact customer service and get replacements, but that doesn't necessarily mean the replacements won't do the same thing. It probably isn't a defective part, just an odd mold that isn't used to being closed.

[Aanchir]

If you flex them enough I believe the film hinge should lose some of its springiness. Try flexing them open and closed repeatedly — not so much that the hinge breaks, of course, but enough to loosen it up a bit.

[SweetiePie88]

that's something that lego needs to be contacted about. I had the same problem with the clam in my lego series 1 friends turtle set so I had to get a replacement.

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

You could close it, find a way to keep it closed (maybe some tape?) and then subject it to some heat. Not TOO MUCH heat, because you don't want to warp it, but add just enough that the plastic gets used to being in the closed position. One option would be to put it in boiling water for a few seconds, then take it out and pinch it closed (keeping your fingers covered with something, of course). Quickly run it under cold water and the plastic should warp in the right shape.

I would be VERY CAREFUL doing this--subject it to too much heat or pinch it too hard and you may warp the piece to a point where the clutch power is destroyed or it's otherwise too misshapen to look right.

[Lego Spy]

Well, I tried opening and closing it (a lot), and it seems to have done the trick!

(As of six hours later they're both still closed.)

Thanks for the help! I'll update this post tomorrow whether or not they're still staying closed. It worked!

Edited June 26, 2014 by Lego Spy

[rodiziorobs]

I have had the same kind of problem with book and suitcase pieces; I believe it is because the piece is molded flat but people prefer to use and store it folded, and not a defect.

[Ben C]

I have been having this problem too, as other members have said bending the hinge does help.

[VintageLegoEra]

I have this set still in its new sealed bag. I hope i will not have this issue. i am planning to build this in few months later.

I will confirm too if i have this issue too!

Edited June 30, 2014 by VintageLegoEra

[Heppeng]

I had this issue - held closed under a hair dryer for a few seconds did the trick.

[ronenson]

I had the exact same issue in Januari. There was a topic opened back then as well:

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=90520

I just ordered a replacement part, and that worked out fine. Lego replaces these for free.

[ThePreChewedTree]

The same has happened to me. I ordered a lot of Sea creatures on ebay a while ago, And the Clams kept popping open.

[mrfuture]

I buildt the Parisian resurant over the weekend and got the same problem with one of my shells. In the beginning it hold a few seconds but now after few more tries it pops just back open as soon you let it go. I ordered one from Lego on Missing/ broken part. I may put a drop glue on it to keep it closed. I know that is bad but it looks like i have to play Lord Bussines her.

Edited September 15, 2014 by mrfuture

[Vindicare]

I buildt the Parisian resurant over the weekend and got the same problem with one of my shells. In the beginning it hold a few seconds but now after few more tries it pops just back open as soon you let it go. I ordered one from Lego on Missing/ broken part. I may put a drop glue on it to keep it closed. I know that is bad but it looks like i have to play Lord Bussines her.

No need to glue it. I had one of mine doing the same. Just clamp it shut tight with your fingers then fidget with the hinge a bit and that should do the trick. Mine has reminded closed ever since.

[Lego Spy]

I buildt the Parisian resurant over the weekend and got the same problem with one of my shells. In the beginning it hold a few seconds but now after few more tries it pops just back open as soon you let it go. I ordered one from Lego on Missing/ broken part. I may put a drop glue on it to keep it closed. I know that is bad but it looks like i have to play Lord Bussines her.

Try this:

If you flex them enough I believe the film hinge should lose some of its springiness. Try flexing them open and closed repeatedly — not so much that the hinge breaks, of course, but enough to loosen it up a bit.

It works.