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Post by Count Dragula on Apr 17, 2016 13:59:28 GMT -5
Don,
Any Suggestions on how to repair or get replacement front axle wireparts for a Snake Rail Dragster Hotwheels I recently obtained?
Here is a pic on what I am needing to fix:  Any of you Hotwheels collectors can chime in on this too if you want.
Thanks!
Todd 
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Post by don on Apr 17, 2016 17:29:59 GMT -5
Hi Todd -I've never been lucky enough to get either of the dragsters , but for the most part, the later Hotwheels are all set up the same way. These dragsters are tough to redo - #1. The only wheels you can use as replacements ( if you want to make it look original) are from another Snake or Mongoose dragster .
2. The only way to get the car apart is to drill the rivets out , so if its a mint car ,it will bring the value down.
Unfortunately, there's not enough wire left on your axle to put another wheel on, so what I would suggest is to drill the front rivet out and see if you can pry it open enough to see the axle set up. Most have metal tabs holding them down , but some are just held down by the body or interior. If you can see it without drilling the rear axle out ,good, if not drill the rear out too. The next step is to find a damaged dragster that you could get cheap on Ebay. Maybe there's one with a broken rear axle or it was painted over and you can get it for a good price. If you get one, drill it out and then carefully grind down the nubs that hold the axle down. When its out, try to pull your broken axle out, if it wont come out you have to do the same to it. Now the easiest thing to do at this point is to find some really good epoxy and use that instead of the tabs on the chassis . If its a good epoxy you can also use it to put the car back together. Sorry that this is so long winded ,but that's the only solution I've been able come up with for this kind of axle set up . I hope this helps you out !!
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Post by wobnob on Apr 17, 2016 18:04:47 GMT -5
...if You're able to pull the axle through or remove enough of it from the body,say 1/8-3/16th's You could use 2 shorter axles with epoxy & slide them in to position from either side? Usual the run'O'the mill Hot wheels car can have the wheel pulled out far enough for a small pair of side-cutters to snip the axle,use the 2 longer shafts,cut from the same car,as Your new axles cut to length.Hot wheels did a few 'open-wheeler' indy-type racers that might have the narrow wheels.
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Post by Count Dragula on Apr 18, 2016 5:01:20 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips guys......I DO have the other front small wheel,I just didn't show it in the picture.....
I like all of the suggestions here.I bought both the Snake and Mongoose Hotwheels rail dragsters for less than $10 at an antique store in a small city north of where I live.This is like a "mini" restoration project that I am going to do,and I don't ever plan on getting rid of the cars!
I appreciate the advice!!!
Todd
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Post by don on Apr 20, 2016 8:23:17 GMT -5
let me know how you make out ; I'm always looking for ways to fix these cars without breaking the bank !
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