Revell Cobra 427 - Axles too Small for Wheels!

[Bill Anderson]

Here is a new one for me.....  I've got the wheels/tires assembled and ready to mount on the chassis of the '65 Revell 427 Cobra.  Well, the holes in the wheels - which I have NOT altered - are too big for the axles - which I also have not altered.   This is supposed to be a quality kit from a quality company so this is really a surprise.

I guess I could wrap striping tape around the axles, but was wondering if you all have any other ideas.  

Thank you!

[vamach1]

4 hours ago, Bill Anderson said:

Here is a new one for me.....  I've got the wheels/tires assembled and ready to mount on the chassis of the '65 Revell 427 Cobra.  Well, the holes in the wheels - which I have NOT altered - are too big for the axles - which I also have not altered.   This is supposed to be a quality kit from a quality company so this is really a surprise.

I guess I could wrap striping tape around the axles, but was wondering if you all have any other ideas.  

Thank you!

Are you referring to the kit that is the old Monogram model from 1988 which Revell acquired and has reissued many times?  I do not remember any issues with the kit when it was released but that was 30 years ago and the wheel centers went on with e gentle push.

[Bill Anderson]

This is the "new one", #07708.  The box has a blue racing mode Cobra with orange stripes.  

[bobss396]

If the metal axles are .062" you can drill the wheels for .093" aluminum tubing.

 

[slusher]

how loose are they you could take wheels to a hardware store and try the brass rod and steel rod until you find your size. That is what i would do. I have an ace hardware 5miles away..

[vamach1]

4 hours ago, Bill Anderson said:

This is the "new one", #07708.  The box has a blue racing mode Cobra with orange stripes.  

The Cobra kit is not like the typical old metal axle AMT/MPC kits.  The wheels press onto the suspension like a snap kit.  I don’’t have the kit nearby but here is a picture of the rear “axle.”

[Bill Anderson]

Yup, its all plastic.  I'll likely end up wrapping a small piece of striping tape around the ends.   Of course its "fixable", but it irritates me that a nice kit like this could have such an obvious screw-up.  But, it is what it is... 

[Radretireddad]

Try wrapping a narrow strip of cellophane tape once around the axle stub. I’ve also glued a piece of small diameter evergreen tubing on the ends to act like a retaining cap.

[Shark]

Most of the time when the axle stub is plastic and already part of the suspension, I intentionally make the wheel holes bigger so I can get them level and squared up. I use a liberal amount of 5 minute epoxy glue in each opening with the frame and tires on a flat surface and some Testors square paint bottles keeping the tire perpendicular and toed correctly.

[rattle can man]

tubing should still work. Just use a short length over the axle stub.

[Bill Anderson]

Well, I finally got those wheels mounted. 

I took a small (1/8 x 1/2) strip of book binding tape and wrapped it around each axle.  I then tested the fit of each wheel, and then removed them.

I put a dab of "all purpose adhesive" inside the wheels axle hole, and remounted the front wheels.  I used bottles of paint to square them up, and let set for several hours.

Then, I came in and did the same with the rear wheels, and this morning they are all nice and solid in place.

Ha, now if only I can get the body on without messing things up.