Can this be fixed?

[transatlantic]

I have an axle that looks like this :

When you press the button on the far left, it allows the ball bearings to move inwards, as to allow the axle to be slotted in place, and locked when the button is released.

The problem with mine is that I am missing one of the ball bearings. I assume they're held in place by the hole they're in being slightly less than the diameter of the bearing, and that they are somehow inserted from the inside.

So I'm guessing that if mine is missing a bearing, either the hole became too big, or the bearing got damaged (unlikely?) and fell out.

Assuming I can find a bearing of the right size (I've seen some assortments on ebay), is there anything I could do to mend it?

 

[CHJ]

Simplest method is to insert the bearing and ring punch the hole to form a lip.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

It's a wheelchair (amongst other things) axle. It shouldn't be difficult to replace.

 

[transatlantic]

Simplest method is to insert the bearing and ring punch the hole to form a lip.

Thanks

It's a wheelchair (amongst other things) axle. It shouldn't be difficult to replace.

I can order one sure, but it's going to be expensive, so figured I'd see what I could do to fix it.

 

[Monkey Mark]

There must be a way for the button to be removed to give access to the spring and bearings.

Have you considered dirt/grease has kept the bearing hidden inside? Can image any way that the hole could manage to enlarge itself. Msybe a blast of air in the hole if the button can't be removed.

 

[Monkey Mark]

Maybe this could help.
http://youtu.be/vNzvhtfynIk

 

[transatlantic]

Maybe this could help.
http://youtu.be/vNzvhtfynIk

Thanks.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I'll have a look tomorrow - I have two that I took my old chair,but I can't think what I did with them.

 

[Wuffles]

There must be a way for the button to be removed to give access to the spring and bearings.

Have you considered dirt/grease has kept the bearing hidden inside? Can image any way that the hole could manage to enlarge itself. Msybe a blast of air in the hole if the button can't be removed.

I was going to suggest the bearing is inside, but didn't want to look like a clueless idiot for doing so. Cheers for breaking the ice, appreciated.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I've found them, you can have them. You have a PM.

 

[transatlantic]

I've found them, you can have them. You have a PM.

Thanks Phil!

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Went off this morning.

 

[transatlantic]

Went off this morning.

Great thanks

 

[transatlantic]

managed to get this fixed with some spare parts kindly donated by phil.p

Many thanks again phil!

 

[Phil Pascoe]

That really was strange. Why would anyone in their right mind keep a pair of wheelchair axles? If anything were to go wrong with my chair I'd just ring up and they would fix it free. The ultimate bit of skip rattery? Nice when it works out like that, though.