yayairplanes

My Luggage Works Stealth Air had a wheel bearing go after 1.5 years of abuse. Looks like one bolt holds it in. Sure, I got this, I'm an airline pilot. Lefty loosy. Spin it for a while. Spin it a little more. Spin it some more. Give up, have a beer, try to avoid thinking about how I just destroyed my luggage. Get back to it the next day, do some more spinning to the left. No dice. Okay, so I guess I stripped it somehow? Anybody know how to solve this issue? The bolt spins freely and just won't come out.

pilot0987

I really hope this was a joke after a few beers. Its not complicated, at all.

Adlerdriver

Yes, I cannibalized an old pair of in-line skates and replaced my wheels on several bags. Unless something changed, the axle goes through the outside of the wheel well, through the wheel and then into a threaded hole on the opposite side of the wheel well.

It sounds like it's stripped. Hopefully it's the bolt (axle) and not the threaded hole. Either way you're going to need to get the axle out. Take the good wheel on the other side off to see what you're dealing with. You'll probably need to get a screwdriver under the head of the bolt to pry it and get some outward pressure on it while you turn it. Hopefully you can get some of the threads that are left to engage and back it out. Spinning it in place isn't helping the situation.

Once it's out, you may be able to tell whether it's the axle or hole just by looking. There's a good chance both are damaged depending on how much spinning you did. You'll probably want to see if the axle from the other side threads in normally to confirm. If it goes in normally, then you should just need a new bolt. If the hole's stripped you'll probably need to send it in to LW to get that part of the frame replaced or tapped and re-threaded (if that's possible).

There are parts available on line or I'm sure you can just call LW and they'll send you what you need. You may be able to discuss repair options based on what you find when you get the axle off.

rickair7777

You can tap the hole very easily with a tool available for a few bucks at hardware stores or auto parts stores. Just need to get the right tap for bolt size and thread pitch (also need to determine metric vs. SAE). Hardware stores will have samples to compare, or you can just buy a bolt and matching tap that's slightly larger than the current bolt. That would be safest, if the hole is really stripped, you might not be able to restore the original thread size, may need to go a size larger.

Use some oil on the tap, and work it in and out gradually.

badflaps

And you guys just had to have wheels on your suitcases.........

rickair7777

Tapping a bolt hole is easier than carrying the damn thing all day.

Adlerdriver

Using a larger bolt is going to require a different wheel with a larger diameter bearing.

badflaps

While you are going to big wheels, get some of those rotating hubcaps.

UAL T38 Phlyer

More likely:

I just checked to see how mine was set up. There is a "wheel well" made of plastic on the inside of the bag; it has a square area that I assume is the nut...or nut-plate....for the axle bolt.

Try two things:

1. Use a flat-blade screwdriver under the bolt to gently pry up as you try to loosen the bolt.

2. I think the nut is spinning in the "wheel well." To grab it, you will have to cut the plastic cover and see what is in there.

I've removed the wheels before, and it shouldn't be a big problem...which makes me think the nut is spinning.

If it turns out the nut is a goner, an easier way than going with an oversized bolt and tapping the hole (which would no longer fit the wheel) would be to get an extra LONG bolt. Drill through to the inside of the case, and just put a self-locking nut on it; the kind with a plastic locking material.

I've done that where some of the crappy rivets have snapped off...works much better than the original.

Good luck!

trip

The bearing froze up and turned on the bolt wearing a groove in it. This groove has a ridge holding the bolt from backing out. If you can't get something under the head to pry it out while turning it you may have to cut it with a hacksaw
And you thought this was going to be easy LOL!