Does my suitcase use screws or rivets?
Before purchasing the matching spare parts for your suitcase it is important to check how the wheels are attached to the shell of your suitcase.
What are rivets and what are their advantages and disadavantages?
Rivets are a type of mechanical fastener that are used to join the suitcase shell and the wheel housing together tightly. They have a cylindrical shaft with a head at one end and are inserted into holes which are located both in the wheel housing and the shell. Then, the other end of the shaft is deformed or flattened to create another head, forming a tight connection.
Rivets and screws are both common fasteners, but they have different advantages and disadvantages. Screws have the advantage of being relatively resistant to forces while being easy to remove and reuse.
Rivets, on the other hand, are more resistant to vibration and provide additional stability while providing the benefit of being relatively easy to assemble during production. However, rivets are difficult to remove and cannot be reused.
Find out more below on how to distinguish if your suitcase uses screws or rivets and how to repair them.
Wheels attached using screws
Suitcase wheels are attached to the suitcase shell in most cases using screws. As it can be seen from the image the wheel housing in such case does not show any marks or fastenings from the outside. The screws can be accessed by opening the lining on the inside of the suitcase.
View the repair guideWheels attached using rivets
For wheels where the wheel housing is attached to the shell can be easily identified by the head of the rivet which is visible from the outside. In the image you will see several black rivets at the outer edge of the wheel housing connecting the wheel to the shell.
Find out more in our repair guide on how to repair wheels which are attached using rivets.
View the repair guide