Luggage Repair: How to Repair your luggage Wheels and Handle

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, travel has been greatly restricted. This has resulted in many people not using their luggage as much as they typically would. 

And recently, most of the border restriction have been lifted and everyone is waiting for the land of Japan to do this as well. They are opening up to guided tours!

So 2 years of not using luggage, the spare parts can break down after a couple of years. 

We bought our Lojel luggage maybe a good 6-8 years back. It is working well, except for the wheels and handle that start to break off.

Today we will cover 2 important repairs that you can replace on your own. 

1. Luggage Handles

To replace luggage handles, you will need to purchase new handles, remove the old handles, and then attach the new handles to the luggage. 

Tools You Need:

• Star Screwdriver
• Cross Screwdriver
• Handles

We bought our replacement handles here, you can check out what handles is your luggage currently using.

If not, you can also PM the seller the size of your handles.

How to Replace Your Luggage Handles

Handles are one of the easiest part to replace, just unscrew, remove and put in the new handles.

The only difficult part is when they require a special star screwdriver to remove the screws.

You can purchase them here.

Cost of Replacement:

Handles: $8.50

Screwdriver: $0 - $5 (depends if you have anot)

Time Taken: 15 mins

Difficulty Level: Easy

2. Luggage Wheels Replacement

The luggage wheel is a small, but important, part of a suitcase. Over time, the wheel can become worn down from use. If a luggage is left unused for a long period of time, the wheel can become seized and difficult to turn. 

This is because the wheel is made of metal and plastic, and the plastic can harden and become brittle after being unused for a long time. 

Tools You Need:

• Metal Handsaw (Can buy a Daiso)
• Allen Key (Comes with the wheel set)
• Wheels - 50mm

They are 2 types of replacement. One if the wheels and holder which cost more and not sure if the parts you order will work.

Another one is just the wheels alone. Which cost around than $10. You will also need to measure the size of your wheels. 

The metal handsaw can be purchased from Daiso. Make sure it says metal handsaw.

I bought a handsaw online, but after 10 mins of hard sawing. There is no progress. So I went Daiso and get their handsaw. Less than 5 mins settle already.

How to Replace

To replace the wheels, you will need to saw off the screws holding the wheels. They are using riveted and no way to unscrew them out. So you will need a metal handsaw.

You also require the right angle, and the momentum to get it down. Usually, if you catch the momentum, each wheel can be sawed in less than 5 mins.

You can purchase them here.

Cost of Replacement: 

• Luggage Wheels - $10
• Daiso Handsaw - $2

Time Taken: 60 mins

Difficulty Level: Hard on the first wheel. After that easier liao.

Some Considerations

You can DIY your luggage repair on the wheels and handles provided you able to find the replacement for them.

If you haven't used your luggage for 2 years, the wheels and handle would possibly give way when you start to use it. 

To avoid all these, just replace all the wheels and handle one shot.

If the cost of replacement is too high, then buy a new cheap one first lah.

You can buy it online for $50+ for a 28 inch luggage.