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Broke a wheel on your rollerboard? Before you buy a new bag, a replacement wheel kit might fix it for under $10.
After 17 years, my carry-on lost a wheel to potholes in an airport economy lot. I bought a wheel kit on Amazon to see if it’s worth trying. The exact kit I got is unavailable, so the box below links a current 70mm kit with 608zz bearings.
- Cheap fix compared with a new bag
- Softer wheels than my old hard plastic ones
- Complete kit with axles, washers and hex keys
- Bearings enclosed in the hub
- Didn’t freewheel super smoothly out of the bag
- Not every bag can be serviced
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
Why replace the wheels instead of the bag
I’ve had my carry-on rollerboard for 17 years. On my last trip, potholes in the economy parking lot broke one of the wheels.
I figured I’d have to buy a new bag, but people are replacing just the wheels. Because I’m cheap, I thought, why not give it a try?
What’s in the kit
Two wheels with a hub and no exposed bearings, two button-head screws that screw together to make a smooth axle (one has a little blue thread lock), at least six washers, and two hex keys.
They look like inline skate or skateboard wheels and are a bit clear. They also feel more rubbery than the hard plastic wheels I had, so hopefully they’re even better.
How to pick the right size
I gave my wheels a quick measurement, and these are 70 mm. There seem to be standard sizes up to about 78 mm, so measure your old wheels before ordering.
Assembly notes
The wheel spins on the smooth part of the axle bolt, with the bearing in the hub, so you shouldn’t need lubricant. You could add a little to make sure everything frees up.
There’s a washer for each side and a couple of spares.
Check your bag first
When I took my bag apart, everything was pressed and riveted together. It’s not meant to be serviced, so I couldn’t install these without tearing things up.
If you have a more modern rollerboard, give it a shot. It could save you the cost of a new bag.
FAQ
What size luggage wheels do I need?
Measure your old ones. Mine were 70 mm, and common sizes go up to about 78 mm.
What bearings do they use?
608zz bearings in the hub.
Can every suitcase get new wheels?
No. Mine was riveted together and couldn’t be serviced.
What comes in the kit?
Two wheels, two axle screws, washers and two hex keys.
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