travel bag zip repair near me

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If your bag needs some TLC while you're circling the globe, browse our extensive global repair network. Our friendly, knowledgeable partners will fix you up and get you on your way.

We recommend that you contact the repair center to discuss the nature of your repair prior to bringing your bag to the center.

Very basic repairs, for example, missing zipper tabs, replace wheels, replace feet, or corner guards.

Minor repairs + zipper slides, missing rivets or screws, minor zipper teeth repairs and some seam work.

Minor and moderate repairs + wheel replacement, handle system fixes, carry handles, frame fixes.

Minor, moderate and broad repairs and beyond.

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How To Fix A Broken Luggage Zipper 

One of the most common travel problems is a broken luggage zipper. It can be a real hassle, especially if you’re in a foreign country and don’t have access to a repair shop. But don’t worry; it’s easy to fix a broken Luggage zipper.

When I was traveling in Thailand, my luggage zipper broke. I was staying in a small hostel with no repair shop nearby. I was starting to panic because I didn’t know what to do.

I decided to try to fix the zipper myself. I had never done anything like this before, but determined to figure it out. I searched online for tips, and I found a few helpful articles.

I started to fix the zipper by following the expertise guidelines. I faced a lot of difficulties in the process, but I persevered. Finally, I was able to solve my Luggage zipper. I was so relieved that I had been able to fix the zipper myself. I had learned a valuable lesson.

So, In this guide, I will share my experience of how to fix broken luggage zippers. Let’s go to start.

Common Causes of Broken Luggage Zippers

While traveling is exciting, the thrill can quickly wear off when your bag zipper breaks. Here, I share the most common causes of your luggage zipper broken.

1. Overpacking

The most common reason for a broken zipper is overstuffing your bag. When there’s too much pressure on the zipper, it can cause the teeth to separate or the slider to break. I’m guilty of this -I always want to bring my entire closet! Next time, I’ll be more selective and leave some space in my luggage.

2. Faulty or Cheap Zipper

A good-quality zipper will fail much more quickly under stress. Buying a solid bag with a strong zipper is a good idea if you travel often. After repeated zipper issues, I’ve replaced a few cheap suitcases over the years.

3. Metal Fatigue

Metal zippers can become brittle and break over time and use. The repeated motion of the zipper causes the metal to weaken until it finally snaps. My old duffel bag has been around the world with me, so it’s no wonder the zipper finally gave out.

I used a strong safety pin to fix my broken zipper in Thailand and secured the two sides together. It held up for the rest of my trip, and I could get my bag repaired once I got home. A quick fix can get you out of a jam, but in the long run, the best solution is a new zipper or new luggage. Quality is vital because I want my bags to last through all my adventures!

How to Fix a Broken Luggage Zipper – Expert Tips

The zipper on my luggage broke when I was backpacking through Thailand last year. I started panicking because I didn’t know how to fix it. But after some tinkering, I managed to find a solution to get me through the rest of my trip. Here’s what I did to fix my broken luggage zipper:

1) First, I inspected the zipper to determine what was wrong. In my case, several zipper teeth had detached from the tape. The zipper may still function if only one or two teeth are damaged. But if multiple teeth in a row are broken, the zipper will need repair.

2)  I gathered a few supplies: pliers, superglue, duct tape, and a needle and thread. The pliers helped me gently work the detached zipper teeth back into place. I then applied superglue to the underside of the zipper tape to re-adhere the teeth. Once the glue was dry, I added duct tape to the zipper for extra strength and protection.

3) As a final precaution, I hand-sewed the zipper tape along the sides of the luggage opening. It helped prevent the zipper from detaching again or bursting open. My quick fix got me through the trip, though once I was home, I did invest in a new suitcase.

With patience and the right tools, a broken zipper doesn’t have to ruin your travels. First, fix any loose teeth. Then, use solid adhesives and reinforcements to secure your zipper. 

How to Temporary Fixes for a Broken Luggage Zipper

When traveling, there’s nothing worse than discovering your luggage zipper is broken. As an avid traveler, I’ve had this happen to me more than once. So, I had to find a temporary fix. Here are a few tricks I’ve learned to fix a broken luggage zipper in a pinch:

1. Use zip ties, string, or rope as a makeshift zipper. It is a quick solution if you have cable ties, sturdy string, or thin rope in your luggage or can buy some nearby. Tie the ties, string, or rope through the zipper teeth or holes to keep your bag closed. It may not look pretty, but it will do the job once you can repair the zipper.

2. Apply strong double-sided or duct tape. Place strips of heavy-duty tape over the broken part of the zipper to seal your bag shut. Press so the tape adheres well. The downside is you’ll have to cut through the tape to open your bag again. Masking or scotch tape only holds for a short time.

3. Use metal clasps, carabiners, or clips. Use metal clasps, carabiners, or sturdy hooks to fix a broken zipper. Attach one end to each side of the zipper to close it. It allows for more effortless opening and closing than the tape method. 

4. Sew or stitch the opening closed. If nothing else works, you can sew the sides of the broken zipper with a needle and thread. You can also use dental floss or a fishing line. Tie off securely. While it may not be the easiest method, you can use it to keep your bag closed until you can fix the zipper.

How to fix a broken luggage zipper without a zipper repair kit

When I travel, there’s always a chance of something going wrong. On a recent trip to Vietnam, the zipper on my luggage broke, leaving my bag open and all my belongings exposed. I started to panic, thinking I’d have to buy a new suitcase. But after taking a deep breath, I realized there were a few ways I could fix the broken zipper myself without a repair kit.

I checked if the zipper tab had just come off the track. If the bag is still intact but not closing, use a screwdriver, pliers, or key to fix it gently. Be very careful not to break the tab or damage the zipper further. The zipper worked again once I got the check back on track.

You’ll need to get creative if the tab needs to be fixed or added. I’ve used a sturdy paper clip, binder clip, or key ring instead of a zipper tab. Loop the substitute tab through the hole at the top of the zipper, and you can zip and unzip as usual. You can also tie a knot at the zipper’s end to create a makeshift pull tab.

As a last resort, you may need to replace the zipper altogether. But unless you have zipper replacement experience, I’d suggest finding a tailor or luggage repair shop. They can install a heavy-duty replacement zipper to get your luggage working and new.

A broken zipper can save your travels and luggage with patience and ingenuity. Next time you hit the road, pack a few zipper repair essentials like pliers, paper clips, and a small sewing kit. If your zipper breaks in a foreign country with language barriers or lack of resources, stay positive. Use hand gestures to communicate. You’ll get your point across! There’s always a solution if you keep your cool.

So, Follow my tips to fix a broken bag zipper and have a great trip. Next time you hear that dreaded sound of a zipper giving way, don’t panic. You will Take a deep breath and try one of these methods.

You’ll be able to get your bag closed again with some work. And if all else fails, find a tailor. But if you follow my advice, you will get solutions, a tailor’s services won’t be necessary, and you can continue enjoying your travels, zipper intact.

Let me know if you have any other questions – I’m happy to share more of my travel repair tips and tricks.

Oh yeah, your luggage handle gets stuck while traveling? You could read this. What to Do When The Handle On Your Bag Is Stuck

Jeffrey C. Fields is an experienced travel writer passionate about uncovering the world’s hidden gems. With years of global exploration, he shares unique insights into diverse destinations, offering readers a fresh perspective on our planet’s beauty.

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Suitcase Repair Guide: Fix Anything On Your Luggage (Locks, Wheels, Handles)

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Do you need to repair your suitcase? Then you are in the right place.

Lost a wheel? Broken the handle or your luggage shell? Whatever the issue with your luggage is, you CAN fix it yourself. All you need is the proper tools and the ability to follow some simple instructions.

Or you can run through my list of repairers below.

Luggage Repairers Near Me

Samsonite luggage repair & replacement parts.

• TravelPro Repair Centers
• Delsey Repair Centers
• Briggs & Riley Repair Centers or Briggs & Riley Repair Kits
• Tumi Luggage Repairs
• Rimowa Luggage Repairs
• Away Repair Kits
• Ricardo Beverley Hills Luggage Repair
• Calpak: Email – [email protected]

WHY DO IT YOURSELF

Sending your suitcase somewhere for repair is undoubtedly easier and quicker than repairing it yourself. However, learning how to fix your own luggage has a whole string of benefits.

If you can’t decide between becoming a DIY luggage fixer and just mailing it for repair, I will try to persuade you to it yourself.

Let’s talk about the benefits of learning how to fix your own luggage.

It’s Easier Than You Think

It might seem scary to you, or you might think that there’s no way that you are capable of fixing your own suitcase. But trust me, that’s not the case.

Repairing your own luggage is way easier than you think. You just need to get the proper equipment (which I will link wherever possible) and follow the step-by-step instructions. I will include videos wherever I can since I know some people are simply visual learners.

Practice makes perfect. You might completely fail on your first attempt, but you will get the handle of what you’re doing by your second or third try.

It Will Save You Money

Consider the cost of actually sending your suitcase in for repair. If you are sending it to the manufacturer, you also have to pay for the shipping and not just the repair. Therefore, it might actually be cheaper to take your broken suitcase to a local repair shop.

But the cheapest way definitely is to learn how to do it yourself. That way, you only have to buy the parts – why pay someone $30 to fix a loose screw, when you can do it yourself for free?

In addition to that, if you need your luggage fixed immediately, most people will charge you an additional fee for that.

It Is Quicker

Obviously, not in terms of spending your own time. But, if you need your suitcase fixed ASAP and just don’t have the time to send it in for repairs because you have to be on the road tomorrow, then fixing it yourself is much more efficient.

This is especially true if you’re shipping your suitcase to the manufacturer – this process could take weeks. If you can’t afford to be apart from your suitcase for that long, then learning how to do it yourself is obviously the best choice.

This is actually the case for many repairs. I just broke my document shredder, again! And the idea of dealing with the whole returns/warranty process has me sweating already!!!

They Get You With The Warranty

Most people just hear the words lifetime warranty , and they think they will never have to spend a dime on their suitcase again. Which is so untrue.

First, you should always read the terms of your warranty. Most of them state that they only cover manufacturing defects and not actual physical defects. Or that they will fix a physical defect, but only in the first year or so.

And what about when the warranty expires? You will have to either take it to a repair shop or learn how to fix it yourself eventually. Might as well start now. Especially if you can’t afford to spend money on replacement luggage, or even professional luggage repairs.

You are learning a new skill

And you can’t put a price on that. Or actually, you could.

With every issue you manage to fix, you are just going to improve your suitcase-repairing skills. Think about that – in a year or two, you could become a real pro. And you could help fix your friends’ luggage and even charge them.

In time, you could even open up your own repair shop if you want. I’m not saying quit your job and become a professional suitcase fixer, but rather something you could do in your spare time. And if you generally love to attempt DIY things, then think of this like more of a hobby than a task.

Don’t you agree that these are very good reasons to attempt to fix your own luggage yourself? If you do, let’s move on to the problems that you are most likely to encounter with your luggage and the best possible solutions for them.

Luggage Wheels

Is the wheel on your suitcase a little looser than you’d like it to be? Or maybe you need a suitcase wheel replacement?

Or maybe a piece has broken off a plastic or silicone wheel, and now you can’t drag your suitcase around. There’s a quick and easy fix for that.

Keep reading to find the solutions to luggage wheel repair & replacement…

Here’s What You’ll Need To Fix Your Luggage Wheels

Before you even think about replacing the wheels on your suitcase yourself, you need to make sure you have the proper tools. So, here’s everything you’re going to need to perform a successful wheel reconstruction surgery.

Note: Keep in mind that you won’t need all of these items – it depends on the type of wheels on your suitcase, and how they are attached to it.

A Regular Hacksaw

All-In-One Screwdriver Set

You’ll need these tools to remove wheels that are riveted or attached with an axle . If you already own any type of hacksaw you don’t have to buy a new one. However, removing them with a drill is much easier and faster, as you will soon see.

If you’re not 100% sure what screws are holding the wheels of your luggage in place, your best bet is to get an all-in-one type of set of screwdrivers. Also, if you decide to get the DeWalt drill , then your best option is to just buy a screw set for it. Since it’s such a multi-functional tool , you will be able to use it both as a screwdriver and as a drill – which might actually save you money in the long run.

In-Line Skate Wheels (Choose A Size)

Replacement Spinner Wheels With Leg (Choose A Size)

Replacement Wheels With Axles (Choose A Size)

Each of these sets includes two wheels with all of the screws and bolts you need to secure them in place. Don’t worry about it getting too technical, I’ll talk you through the details of replacing the wheels later. For now, you need to know how to choose the proper replacement wheels for your luggage.

Generally, you need to differentiate between wheels that are riveted and those that are screwed on . According to that, you need to purchase the type of wheels that are suitable for your luggage.

As for spinner wheels, you can just place pretty much any type of wheel in the leg. The second set here is a set of wheels with the legs, but the method of replacement I’m going to show you includes just removing the wheel and not the entire leg.

However, if you decide to purchase the middle set, here’s what you need to know: unzip the lining to expose the bolts, unscrew the entire wheel leg, screw the new wheel legs (with wheels) in place, and that’s it.

Replacement Luggage Wheel Sizes

The thing you need to be careful with is the size of the wheels. You need to get replacement wheels that are the exact same size as the ones currently on your luggage – otherwise, your suitcase is going to tilt one way when standing upright.

There is no specific Samsonite replacement wheel, or American Tourister luggage wheel replacement that I could find online. In general, most brands do not like providing leisure luggage replacement parts to consumers. So, the best you can do is take a generic one .

All three of these sets allow you to choose between several different sizes of wheels, so picking out the right ones should be fairly easy – as long as you take proper measurements of the wheels on your suitcase.

Oh and I almost forgot – here’s another piece of equipment that you will most likely need, and not just when repairing the wheels:

Gorilla Black Duct Tape

I’m not joking – just like with pretty much anything, you can fix half of the issues with your luggage with good ole’ duct tape. I’m recommending this particular brand simply because it’s black, which could come in handy for one quick wheel fix – for aesthetic reasons, of course. :>

Now that we’ve covered pretty much all of the equipment that you’re going to need, let’s move on to the various issues you could encounter with the wheels of your suitcase, and how to fix them.

Tighten Loose Wheels

If there is a wobbly wheel on your suitcase, you can fix it in just a few minutes. Actually, the process of fixing the wheel is the easiest and quickest part of the repair process. What takes a little more time is figuring out what tool you need to do it!

First, you need to identify the types of screws on your wheel , so that you know what type of screwdriver to use or buy. The next step is to figure out the size of the screw – you can do that by measuring the length of its shank. Or, if you’ve got any replacement screws with your luggage, their size should be stated on the packaging.

When you successfully figure out the type and size of the screws on the wheels, then you just need to use the appropriate screwdriver. Chances are that your wheels are fastened with hex or regular Phillips screws – that’s most often the case. So, all the equipment you need is a set of hex screwdrivers – I’m guessing you already own a few Phillips screwdrivers, because who doesn’t, right?

Then just get out the right screwdriver, and insert it into the screw. Make sure that it is at a 90-degree angle . You want the wheels to feel tight on the suitcase, but not too tight – fastening them way too tightly could cause the wheel to seize and just make an even bigger mess.

Instead, turn the screws a couple of times and then try budging the wheel around. When you feel that the wheel isn’t going anywhere but that you could still tighten the screw a bit, you’ll know you’ve done the job properly.

Extra Points: If you want to take it a step further, you can add a little loctite to the screw. This adds a little plastic-type material to the end to ensure it does not vibrate loose with extended use (like walking on French cobblestones for 2 hours!).

Touch-Up Silicone Wheels

If your luggage is equipped with in-line skate wheels, there’s a good chance that the wheels are made of silicone. One issue that you can have with these is that, over time, little chunks of the wheel will break off, which will prevent them from rolling smoothly .

Been there, done that. Right? This is easier to fix than you think.

You’ll need some patience and a roll of duct tape . First, if a large chunk of your wheel has broken off you will want to remove the entire wheel – until the metal base of the wheel is exposed. It might seem counterintuitive, but just trust me on this one.

Then, make sure that you’ve split the duct tape so that it is not wider than the base of the wheel itself. You then want to wrap the tape around the wheelbase, until it is as thick as the other non-damaged wheel . I recommend you pick up your suitcase from time to time and test it.

Try to roll it around to the room to check if you need to add a few more layers of tape to even things out. When you feel that both the original and the “new” wheel are rolling evenly, you can stop wrapping the base.

Next, you’ll want to slant the edges a bit, especially if they are rubbing on the frame of your luggage. Use a carpet knife or some sandpaper to do this – be careful not to harm yourself.

In terms of functionality, your suitcase should be as good as new. If you’re worried about aesthetics, you can always cover up the duct tape with a piece of black electrical tape – no one will be able to tell difference between the two wheels, apart from you!

Keep in mind that this is only a short-term/temporary fix. The tape will wear out over time, especially if you’re dragging the luggage on uneven terrain. You’ll have to replace the wheel eventually, and we’ll talk about that in a minute.

If you want a complete visual walk-through of the process, you can pop over to this post here .

Replacing The Wheels On Your Luggage

This step is going to require a bit more equipment than the other two. Your best option is to simply get a wheel replacement kit from Amazon – I’ll link a few good ones in the next section.

Depending on the type of wheels on your luggage, there are a few different approaches to wheel replacement.

Riveted Wheels (With A Metal Rod)

These are probably the hardest type to repair. Because you cannot just unscrew them – first you have to cut through the metal rod that is holding them together.

So, get out your s afety goggles and a hacksaw . Carefully cut through the rod, making sure that you don’t injure yourself. Tear apart the washers and bearings that are holding the wheel in place from the rivet with your hands (wear gloves, the rod will be hot!), and set them aside. You are going to need those. But you won’t need the wheel itself – that you can throw away.

Put the old bearings into the new wheel, one on each side. They will help keep the wheel in place and steady while you insert it into the wheel well. When you’ve inserted the wheel into the well, place a screw through it and the bearing.

Finally, put washers on both sides of the wheel and fasten them in place. You can then insert a new rivet through the wheels and tighten the final nuts and you’re done. Just don’t tighten them too much – they won’t roll smoothly if you do that.

And here’s a helpful video that will show you how to do all of this, step by step:

Screwed Wheels (Removing The Wheel Well)

First, you’ll want to buy replacement wheels that are the exact same size as the ones that are already on your luggage . Additionally, try getting wheels that come with the same type of screws that your luggage now has – it will be much easier to replace them because you will get all the equipment you need.

Lie your suitcase flat and unzip the lining. That will expose the nut bolts inside the suitcase, which are holding the screws in place. Get a wrench that is appropriate for the nut bolts in your suitcase and grip them tightly, and then use a screwdriver to remove the screws that are holding the wheel well in place . To remove the screws, you need to turn them counter-clockwise (righty tighty, lefty loosy!).

There should be a small clip within the wheel. You have to push it out, to be able to remove the bolts and the wheel. Once you’ve done that, you can take out the damaged wheel completely and dispose of it.

Now all you have to do is put the replacement wheel in the wheel well. Put washers on each side of the wheel, and secure it into place. You can do that by attaching a clip right through the slot on the axle.

When you’ve successfully secured the wheel into the wheel well, put the well back on your suitcase and screw it into place. Roll your suitcase around the room for a little while, to make sure that the wheels are nice and tight.

Fixing Spinner Wheels (With A Drill)

Even though we’re using a drill, this is a slightly less invasive process than the previous one. You are going to need a drill to remove the wheel, because of the eyelet rivets. You have to drill a hole through them so that they will fall out.

You could use a hacksaw to saw through the axle of the wheel, but that’s a little bit riskier – you could damage the leg of the wheel. But if you don’t own a drill, then this is the way to do it – just be careful and go slowly.

The thing about these wheels is that they are also riveted, but they are not all connected with a large metal rod like the first type. However, you still have to remove the rivets, so, on with the drill method. Determine the size of the hole, and then use an appropriate drill bit.

If the hole is 5 mm wide, use a slightly larger drill bit – a 5.5 mm would be a perfect choice . And remember, slow and steady wins the race – you want to drill through the top ring just until it breaks away. If you drill too much, you could damage the wheel or the leg, and we don’t want that.

Once you’ve done that, the wheel should easily come off. Remove all damaged wheels and clean the legs. Then just place the replacement wheels in the legs, put the axles through them and the final bolts in the axles. Tighten everything nicely, and you’re done.

Luggage Handles

Need to repair your luggage handle?

First, you have to figure out what the exact issue with the handle is, and then I’ll walk you through the repair process.

Additionally, even if the handles on your luggage are broken beyond repair, the process of replacing them is simple.

So, let’s see what the most common issues with luggage handles are, and how to fix them.

Broken Push Button

If your wheel handle is broken, and the push button looks anything like the one in the picture below, it’s going to be an easy fix.

So first, determine the type of screws that are holding the handle in place , and get an appropriate screwdriver. You can see here that I needed a Phillips screwdriver for this particular suitcase. 

The first issue I had to deal with was how to get access to the screws since they were located on a part of the handle that was inaccessible, due to it being stuck. If you have the same issue, use a little brute force – just enough to get the part of the handle with the screws out.

Carefully remove all the screws. Don’t worry if some of them aren’t coming out completely – as long as you manage to disassemble the handle, it’s fine.

As you can see, the issue was very clear at first sight. One piece of the button just fell out of the handle, while the other appeared to be forcefully lodged in place. So how do we fix it? Obviously, with some super glue !

Apply some glue to the surface that is going to be attached to the button, then hold it in place for about a minute until it sticks to the other piece of plastic. Leave it to set and repeat the process on the other piece. I left the entire thing to set for about half an hour before I decided to put the handle back together .

You need to make sure that the glue has dried completely , otherwise, you risk gluing the button to the inside of the handle, and making your suitcase even more useless than before.

So, after about half an hour or an hour, put everything back together, and screw everything in place. You should be able to tell by the sizes of the holes which screw goes where, if you already forgot where they were in the first place. And voila, as good as new!

The Tubes Are Stuck

First, make sure that the tubes are actually stuck. Detach the handle from the tubes, by removing all the screws that are keeping it in place. When you do that, you should see a thin metal rod sticking out from each of the tubes.

These rods are what actually make your handle extend. Sometimes the fix is easy as repositioning the rods inside the holes in the handle so that they can connect to the push button. Try to do that – maybe one of them just fell out of the hole.

But if that doesn’t work, it’s time to check what’s the issue. Push down on the metal rod, and then try to extend the tube. If the tube extends, then the issue is not with it, but rather with the handle. On the other hand, if one (or both) of the tubes won’t budge, then you’ve successfully isolated the issue.

The first thing you are going to try to do is grease the tube . But before you do that, you should check whether something got stuck inside the tubes. So, take out the metal rods and try to see inside the tubes . You’re going to need a flashlight for this. If you see anything weird inside, remove it.

You can do this by getting a long, thin stick and wiggling out the foreign debris, or by just turning the suitcase over so that it can fall out of the tube.

If there is no debris inside the tube, then greasing the rods is the next step. Just some WD-40 should do the trick. But if you don’t have that, you could even use some soap or even olive oil – the important thing is that you use some sort of a greasy lubricant.

Leave it for about 15 minutes, and then try extending the tubes again. Push down on the rods and pull the tubes up – if it works, then congratulations! You’ve managed to successfully repair your telescopic wheel handle!

Screw the top handle back in place, and be careful to align the rods inside the little holes. With a push of the button, the tubes should extend nicely, and your wheel handle should be as good as new!

However, if that didn’t fix your issue, then you’re going to have to replace the entire handle system. But there is one more issue to check for before you go ahead and disassemble half of your suitcase.

Replacing A Loose Screw

If one of the tubes just won’t stay up and falls out of the handle, there is a good chance that a screw came loose. Check for that first – it’s something you can fix yourself in about two minutes. You just need to find a screw that is the same size as the one that came loose and then screw the handle into the tube.

Was this the issue you had with your luggage? Just imagine if you had sent it in for repair and spent a ton of money to get it fixed when you can do it yourself in less than 150 seconds!

But if there is something else wrong with the telescopic handle on your suitcase and none of these fixes helped, then your best bet is to simply replace the entire thing . And it’s not at all difficult to do – I’ll guide you through the process.

Replacing The Telescopic Handle

This can be either very simple or pretty difficult, depending on how the handle is attached to your suitcase. Take a look at these two photos:

On the right, you can see little rivets . These need to be drilled through, and don’t even attempt replacing the handle if you don’t have a drill – that’s the only way to remove them. Measure the hole of the rivet, and find a drill bit that is about 0.5 mm larger than it. Drill steadily through the rivet just until you make a hole and it falls out. That will allow you to take out the screws easily.

On the other hand, check out the photo on the left. The screws are fastened with nuts, which are practically inaccessible . Because you need a wrench to unfasten these, there is no way to get a wrench inside this plastic hole. I gave up on this particular suitcase – I tried to loosen the nut with tweezers, didn’t work.

But also keep in mind that this particular image is of a really old and cheap suitcase, and you shouldn’t encounter such design flaws on the more recent (or expensive) ones.

Okay, so back to the rivets. Once you’ve drilled through them all and removed the screws, you should be able to easily remove the handle. One more thing – it is also possible to remove just the tubes  if they are fastened to the suitcase. As you can see in the video below, the tubes are screwed into the suitcase with regular Phillips screws. All you need to remove them is a Phillips screwdriver.

But if you’re removing the entire handle system, you will have to drill through the rivets. However, please check what the rivets are connecting to your suitcase – there is a chance that you don’t have to remove them. In this particular image, they are used to attach the piece of plastic that attaches the handle to the body of the suitcase.

Since this part of the handle system is intact, there is really no need to remove it. If you also notice that you don’t need to remove that part, you will save yourself a lot of time and energy.

If you managed to remove the handle with the tubes, now it is time to put in a new one. This is the easy part – just place the tubes through the same holes where your old telescopic handle was. Make sure that you properly align the tubes – the holes in the tubes should be in the same place as the holes on the plastic mount because that’s where the screws go.

Now all you have to do is place the screws in the holes and fasten them tightly. Once you’ve done that, you should apply some lubricant to the tubes, extend the handle and retract it a few times. Take your suitcase out for a spin and test the handle – if everything appears to work fine, then congratulations! You have successfully replaced a faulty wheel handle.

Picking Out The Right Replacement Handle

Get the right part for your suitcase by writing to the manufacturer to get spare part (there is a list at the top of this post). That way you are 100% sure that the replacement handle is going to fit your suitcase perfectly,  because it is not so easy to find spare parts for luggage online.

You can usually find information about spare parts in their Frequently Asked Questions sections, like on Samsonite’s page. Then you just email them the correct info and wait for your spare part to arrive.

You can also find plenty of replacement parts on Amazon . If you choose to try and do it this way, you have to make sure that all of the dimensions are the same – the width of the handle, the height and width of the tubes, and also the distance between the two tubes.

And even then, there is a chance that they won’t be a perfect fit. But, since you can get a replacement telescopic handle for $20-30, it’s worth giving it a shot. Here are your best choices, based on the different size options:

SuperMa Replacement Telescopic Handle (G002-16 inch)

SuperMa Replacement Telescopic Handle (G003-22 inch)

MagiDeal Telescopic Luggage Handle G003 Model – two bars

Fixing/replacing the carry handles.

This is a much quicker and easier process than replacing the telescopic handle. That’s because carry handles are usually attached with just two screws . When you have to replace them, all you have to do is take out the screws, and that’s it. Put a new carry handle in its place and fasten the new screws.

If your suitcase is fully lined inside, you are going to have to remove the lining to expose the screws . If you can just unzip it then great – the interior of your suitcase will stay intact. However, if the lining is glued to the body of the suitcase, you might have to rip it off, or cut a hole in it. If that is the case, consider whether replacing the carry handle is worth it.

One thing you have to be careful about is the width of the handle. You need to make sure that it is as wide as the old handle – otherwise, the screws and the holes aren’t going to be aligned. You could technically attach it even if it doesn’t fit properly – just drill new holes through the handle . But then it’s not going to be really aesthetically pleasing.

You don’t have to worry about shape as much. In fact, you can choose any shape or type of handle you like, so you can even upgrade your suitcase. Check out these handles on Amazon below – there is a huge variety of styles, and you can see the dimensions of each one if you scroll to the product information section.

RDEXP Black Flexible Spare Handle for Suitcase

BQLZR Suitcase Replacement Handle

If you simply want to repair a broken handle, then I have two suggestions for you.

If you have a softshell suitcase and a handle that is made of fabric, your best option is to sew it back together . If you don’t want it to be obvious that you fixed it yourself, make sure to get a string that is the same color as the fabric of the handle. This is a pretty easy fix, and even if you’re not a pro at sewing, it shouldn’t be too difficult to do.

If you have a broken plastic handle, then it’s time to take out your superglue again . Apply some glue to both parts of the handle, and hold them together firmly for a minute. Then leave the glue to set for an hour or two, making sure that the handle is not touching the body of the suitcase – you don’t want to glue the handle to your luggage, right? And that’s it – your carry handles should be good to go.

A Broken Latch

Zipperless suitcases are popular among frequent travelers because it’s impossible to break inside them. However, if the latch on your zipperless hardshell is stuck or broken, then you have a useless piece of luggage.

You will want to fix it or replace it.

The Latch Is Stuck

If the latch on your suitcase still works but you’re having a hard time getting it to lock and then unlock, there’s a good chance that you just need to grease it. And it’s normal to experience this, especially if you’ve owned that particular suitcase for a while.

So, you need to grease the insides of the latch, as well as the flap . Move around the parts of the latch and see which ones are stiff – this is the best way to determine the exact parts that need to be greased. The best latch lubricant you get is WD-40 . But if you don’t have it handy, you could also use some oil, butter, or even soap – as long as it’s greasy it should do the trick.

The Latch Won’t Click (Lock)

If you’re trying to lock your suitcase and the latch refuses to cooperate, it’s time to look a little deeper. Maybe the top part of the lock won’t go in the hole? Or maybe you can manage to close the lock, but it just pops open again?

If this sounds like your issue, then there are two things that might be wrong with the latch of your suitcase.

First, check the flap. It is the top part of the lock that you insert into the hole – maybe the flap is bent, and that’s why your suitcase won’t lock. And this is an easy problem to fix – just straighten the flap with your fingers. Use some pliers if you’re not strong enough to do it with your bare hands. Just be gentle – if you pull the flap too fast or if you use too much force, you could break it off.

You’re not sure how straight it’s supposed to be? If your other latch is working fine, then compare the two. Straightening the damaged latch until it looks like the normal one should do the trick.

But if the flap looked perfectly fine, then you’re going to have to clean out the hole of the lock. Chances are that it’s gotten filled up with dust or some other debris – especially if you’ve owned the suitcase for a while. This is also pretty easy to do – I use cotton swabs when I have to clean out these locks since they are pretty tiny and it’s easy to get them inside.

You could also try to use a blow-dryer – just like when you’re cleaning out your keyboard. The air pressure will make the debris come out, and your lock should be pretty clean.

If none of these tricks work and you still can’t get the latch to lock, then it’s time to remove it from the suitcase and take it apart. It’s possible that something inside the latch has broken off.

Repairing A Broken Latch

If a piece of the latch broke off, you need to replace the latch. You can attempt to repair it, but it will most likely break off again. Latches are usually made of steel and if a piece managed to break off, it will be extremely difficult to repair.

But if you need a quick fix, try these two tricks.

First, unscrew the latch from the suitcase and take it apart – if the screws are exposed. Check out this photo:

Now, you can see that the screws aren’t at all exposed . Additionally, the lining was glued to the suitcase, and I actually had to tear it apart from the shell to get it to open. And I still couldn’t get to the screws to replace it.

Now what I did here was try to superglue the latch back together. And very, very carefully – since I couldn’t remove it and disassemble it, there was a chance that the glue was going to stick to the other parts of the latch, rendering it even more useless than before.

What did I do to avoid this? Since the top part of the lock broke at the core, I knew that if I just tried to glue it in place it would get stuck to the upper part of the lock. So, when I was aligning the broken piece to the latch spring, I pulled down on it gently. I kept it in place until the glue dried somewhat and then I let it go. I left it to set for an hour and lo and behold – now I can lock my suitcase up.

Now, if the screws of the latch are exposed, just detach it and try to fix it like tha t . This is the safer way since you are less likely to damage the rest of your suitcase – getting superglue on fabric is a nightmare. But since these latches are often one-piece mechanisms, sometimes you can’t really fix them – other than try to glue them back together.

Two things to note: you need some really strong superglue if you want this to work. Otherwise, when you try to unlock the latch, the broken piece will just come off again. This actually happened the first time to me, when I used some weak superglue. The top part of the latch just popped off because of the force of the mechanism and it went flying above me.

So just in case, duck when you’re opening the suitcase. :> The other thing to keep in mind is that you have to let the glue set properly. Depending on the type of your superglue, this can take anywhere from an hour to several hours. Be patient – it is worth it.

On the other hand, if the screws aren’t exposed, I urge you not to try to detach it. You’ll make a hole in your suitcase, one that will probably be too large for the latch screws, and you won’t be able to put the latch back in place. In that case, I advise that you simply replace the latch – so let’s talk a bit about that.

Replacing A Broken Latch

What’s really fun about replacing a latch is that you can pretty much choose any type of latch you want for your suitcase. Once you remove the old latch, your suitcase is pretty much a blank canvas. You would have to drill some new holes to be able to place the new latch, but it won’t damage your suitcase too much. You want something vintage? Go for it!

To remove the old, broken latch, you’ll need to unscrew it from the suitcase. If regular screws are holding it in place, then this should be fairly easy. If they are riveted, you will need to drill through the rivets. I wrote about this process in much more detail in the first section (repairing the wheels), so please refer to that. You can also see my suggestion on the best drill for this job there.

When you’ve removed the old latch, put the new one in its place. If it’s possible, align the holes on it to the holes on the suitcase. If not, you will have to drill a new hole – measure the diameter of the latch hole, and choose an appropriate drill bit . This will ensure that the latch is tightly secured on the suitcase and that it doesn’t wobble around.

Here are a few interesting and affordable latches that you can get on Amazon:

Uxcell Metal Latch Clasp

Vintage Bronze Latch

Uxcell Suitcase Latch With Key

However, if you want the exact same latch as was on your luggage before, then you should contact the manufacturer and request a replacement part. Go to their website and check the FAQ sections – you can usually find info about getting spare parts there.

TSA locks are an important piece of your luggage. They ensure the safety of your suitcase by keeping the bad guys out. But they also allow the good guys in – since TSA agents can easily open these if they need to.

So if your TSA lock breaks or gets stuck, you want to repair it ASAP – especially if you plan on flying to the US.

Want to learn how to fix it yourself? Let’s get down to it!

Disassemble And Reassemble The Lock

If you don’t think the lock is broken but it’s just not working properly, then you should take the time to reassemble it. There is a good chance that one of the pieces just fell out of its place and that putting it back in place will fix the problem – especially if the lock makes a rattling sound when you shake it. And yes, repairing it is as easy as it sounds.

First, you want to find the screws with which the lock is attached to the suitcase. You will probably have to unzip the lining to find them – on all of my luggage, the locks were attached with regular Phillips screws. So, I used a regular Phillips screwdriver to remove the lock and it took me about two minutes to do that. Easy peasy.

You can check out this video to see how to properly disassemble and then reassemble a 007 TSA lock (these are most commonly used on suitcases):

Pro-tip: if you’re not 100% sure that you’ll remember how to put everything together, take a picture of the lock as soon as you open it. That way you won’t have to rely on your memory, and you can just use the photo to see where each piece goes.

Be very careful when removing the individual pieces, especially the push button spring. Some pieces are tiny and try to always keep them in your sight. If any of the pieces were loose, reassembling the lock should fix your issue. When you’re finished with that, reattach it to the suitcase (with the same screws you removed in the first place) and try it out. If it works fine now then you’ve managed to fix it!

Stuck TSA Lock

If your lock works fine but gets stuck from time to time, then you just need to grease the push button . So, follow the same steps as in the above section to remove it and disassemble it. Once you’ve done that, take a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol and clean the metal cover of the lock. If your lock is entirely made of plastic, then clean out the dust and any other debris with water.

After that get some WD-40 (or oil, butter, soap) and grease the push-button mechanism. Apply just a drop or two of lubricant and it should do the trick. Also, apply some to the gate mechanism, and leave it to dry for 15-20 minutes. Then just reassemble the lock and screw it back on your suitcase – it should be as good as new.

Permanently Locked Suitcase

If you locked your suitcase at one point and forgot what combination you chose for the lock, then you have a pretty big issue. But, instead of taking your luggage to a locksmith, you can easily reset it yourself. Now, this is a little bit scary – when you realize how easy it actually is to pick a 007 TSA lock, you might want to reconsider using them on your luggage.

But that is a topic for a different post. One way to do this is to insert a pen into the teeth of the zipper of your suitcase – this will allow you to get inside your luggage, and unscrew the lock. You can disassemble it completely and remove the zipper pullers from its teeth.

Then just zip up your entire suitcase again, and you’ve sort of fixed your issue. Well, you’ve managed to open up your permanently locked suitcase, but you still don’t know the combination of that lock.

You can either replace it or just put it back on the suitcase and reset it. Here’s how you can reset your 007 TSA combination lock:

As you see, you just need a toothpick! Keep in mind that simply pressing the reset button won’t work while the pullers are in the lock , which is why you need to take it apart first. But if this is too much work for you, there is another way to reset the lock, which also uses just a toothpick – but it requires you to break into your own suitcase.

You can see how to reset your TSA lock with a toothpick in this video:

If you can’t find the hole on the wheel, I suggest you use your phone’s flashlight. Position it above the lock, and you’ll be able to see inside. See, I told you it was a bit scary how easy it is to break inside your own suitcase! Also, you can get a TSA master key for less than $15 on Amazon (which is even scarier) and that just might be the easiest way to open up your suitcase. :>

If you’ve tried everything and your lock still doesn’t work, then it’s time to replace it . And I’m going to show you how to do that in the next section.

Replacing A TSA Lock

First you need to get a replacement TSA lock – preferably the exact lock as the one you are replacing. Since there are a few different types of 007 locks, I did my best to find all the ones we most frequently see on luggage:

Original American TSA007 Password Lock

MagiDeal TSA 007 Aluminum Luggage Lock

Tsa 007 secure luggage combination lock.

If you’re not 100% sure just from looking at the lock, check the position of the screws on the back . Compare it to the ones on the lock you have now, and make sure that they are in the same place.

To remove the old lock, you need to expose the screws and unfasten them. This should be fairly easy if your suitcase has zipped lining. On the other hand, if the lining is glued to the body of the suitcase, you will have to pry it away. But at least this is an easy fix – you’ll just need a glue gun and some glue sticks:

Gorilla Hot Glue Gun

Gorilla Hot Glue Sticks

Once you’ve removed the old lock, simply put the new lock in its place. Make sure you align it with the holes that already exist on your suitcase. Then just screw it in place and that’s it! Oh and don’t forget to set up a new combination. If you’re not sure how to do that, you can refer to the video in the previous section, which explains how you can (re)set a TSA combination lock.

You know, this section actually applies to basically every item you own that has a zipper, and not just your luggage. But, since zippers are crucial to both protecting your belongings inside a suitcase, as well as holding them in place (hello dividers), I’ll mostly focus on issues that affect suitcase zippers

I’ll try to explain to you how to fix these issues step-by-step – you just have to follow the instructions. So, if you want to fix your suitcase zipper, this is the section you’re looking for.

What To Do With A Stuck Zipper

When you have a stuck zipper, that means that it got caught on something. So obviously, you need to remove whatever it got caught on.

Let’s try something real quick and easy first – get a graphite pencil and rub the tip of the pencil on the teeth of the zipper. And now try to work the luggage zipper again – if it works then awesome. You fixed in less than a minute. But if it’s still stuck, let’s try a different fix.

You’ll need some sort of grease or lubricant – preferably something that’s not oil-based because it will stain the fabric . Try using bar soap or even a lip balm – rub it on the teeth of the zipper, and then slowly work the zipper down. As you’re working the zipper, reapply the lubricant every now and then – it will be quicker that way. Also, this is the best way to fix a zipper that got stuck in the fabric.

There’s one more thing you could do if the zipper got stuck in its own fabric – bring it up a little bit while holding the rest of the zipper fabric out of the teeth’s way. Hold the fabric down with one hand, then slowly work the zipper down . Sometimes you can get the fabric out with just your hands and there’s no need for any additional tools.

Broken Zipper Puller

This is a pretty easy fix. There are actually plenty of different things you could do to replace a broken zipper puller. One of them includes getting a replacement puller and just inserting it into the slider. And keep in mind that you can pretty much put any type of zipper puller you like. You want it to have a star at the end? Go for it. Maybe you want a leather zipper puller this time? Why not!

Just make sure that it’s approximately the same size as your slider. If you get a puller that is a lot smaller than the slider, it’s going to fall out. On the other hand, if you get a puller that is thicker than the slider, you will have a hard time inserting it. But, here are some of your options:

Anladia 22x Zipper Tab Replacement Tab Repair Kit

Mopolis 2Pcs Leaf Design Replacement Leather Zip Puller

Zipper Rescue Kit (Various Parts)

Zip Fixer – 16 Replacement Zipper Tags

If you’re looking for an-ultra quick fix, you don’t even have to put in a zipper puller. You could just attach a key ring to the slider, or even a paperclip. Anyway, check out this video to see all the items you have in your home that you could use instead of a zipper puller:

But if don’t really have an issue with the puller, but rather with the teeth or the slider, then you are going to have to get a little more creative. So, let’s talk about what to do if your zipper won’t close or if the teeth are popping apart.

Zipper Teeth Are Coming Apart

You zip up your suitcase but the teeth don’t close properly. Or they just pop open. Does this sound like your issue? If so, I have a few suggestions on how to fix it . But, you will have to figure out which part of the zipper is responsible for this.

First thing you should do is try the soap/pencil trick. Sometimes, the teeth just need to be greased a little bit and they’ll work properly after that.

Then check the slider. There is a chance, especially if your suitcase is pretty old, that the slider is simply not catching the teeth properly. The reason why this is happening is usually that the slider came apart a little bit, and it’s too wide for the teeth.

You’ll need a pair of pliers to fix this – grip the base of the slider and tighten it a little bit. Don’t squeeze on the pliers too hard, because you risk breaking the slider if you do that. But if you do it gently, you will tighten the slider and it should work normally again.

If this didn’t fix the zipper, then it’s time to take a look at the teeth. If any of them are sticking out, grab those pliers and straighten them. Again, be gentle – breaking off even a single tooth will just mess up your zipper even more.

If none of these fixes worked, then I’m afraid you’re going to have to replace the entire zipper. Let’s talk about that.

Replacing Your Suitcase Zipper

There are two ways you can replace your suitcase zipper. First, if only the slider is broken, then you can just replace the slider . This is a lot easier and quicker to do. For this, you just need a pair of pliers and a steady hand.

Insert the pliers inside the slider, into the part that grips the teeth of the zipper. Apply some vertical pressure, and do your best to pry away the slider from the rest of the zipper. If you can’t do this, you can just remove the zip stops – the two little bars that stop your slider from falling off the teeth.

Then just remove the slider, and you’re ready to put in a new slider. But if you opted for the second option, don’t forget to put back the stops! Otherwise, your zipper won’t be of much use.=

Before we begin, here is the best kit you can get to replace your zippers. It has everything you could need, including a ton of pullers and sliders in different colors and sizes:

YAHOGA 143 Pieces Zipper Replacement Zipper Repair Kit

=Now, if the slider is broken and the teeth are broken you are going to have to remove the entire zipper. This method is going to require you to sew in a new zipper, so you should have at least some manual sewing experience. Since most suitcases are pretty bulky, you can’t really use a sewing machine.

I mean you could try, but you’re just going to wind up with a broken machine needle. And don’t cut the seams to remove the zipper – this will make it much harder to sew in a new zipper, especially if you’re fixing a hardside suitcase.

What you should do is grab a pair of scissors and cut out the zipper. Try to cut in a straight line, and cut as close to the teeth as you can. When you’ve done that, it’s time to prepare for sewing in the new zipper. Get some push pins – this will make it much easier to sew in a straight line.

Attach the new zipper to the leftover fabric of the old one, and put in a push pin every couple of inches. Then grab a needle and some thread and sew on the new zipper . If you managed to successfully put in a new zipper, congrats!

Just put on the slider, and your suitcase should be perfectly functional again. Oh, and if you left a little bit more tape of the old zipper in the first place, you also expanded your luggage a little. :>

One thing to keep in mind is how important it is to get a replacement zipper that is approximately the same size as your old one . The best way to ensure you’re doing this is to first cut off the old zipper, and then straighten it out and measure it. Measuring a zipper that is sewn into a suitcase isn’t 100% precise, and you could buy the wrong one. Here are some great replacement zippers you can get online:

YaHoGa #20 Super Large Zipper (2 Yards)

YaHoGa 2PCS #10 Separating Large Plastic Zippers (Multiple Lengths)

ByAnnie ZIP30-105 Double Slide Zipper (Two Lengths)

Plastic Shells On Hardside Luggage

Hardside luggage is usually much more expensive than softside. So, it hurts even more when the shell cracks or when you see a nasty scratch on it after your flight.

But don’t stress – you don’t have to shell out another $200 (at least!) to get a new suitcase. You can repair the shell of your hardside suitcase yourself, and I’m going to tell you how to do it step by step.

Filling Out Holes In The Shell

If you’re devastated because a small piece of your suitcase cracked, or you just found a hole in your brand new suitcase , don’t be. It’s actually pretty easy to fix it – you’ll just need some Sugru glue, a piece of mesh, and a spoon . You could also use a pair of rubber gloves if you want to be as careful as possible.

Sugru Moldable Glue Classic Colors

Sugru Moldable Glue Natural Colors

Fine Mesh Strainers

Check out the links above – you can choose from much more colors than you can see in the photos . :>

Examine the damaged part of the suitcase. If a small piece of plastic is cracked, try to remove it from the shell. But do this carefully – you don’t want to crack it even more. Once you’ve done that, you should be left with a hole in your hardshell suitcase.

Now you want to take that piece of mesh (I suggest using an old strainer and cutting a piece from it) and cover the hole with it . Make sure that the mesh is wider than the hole on all sides – depending on the size of the hole, you want the mesh to be half as much wider. Mold the mesh inside the hole with the spoon – oh and we’re doing this inside the suitcase.

Now is the time to put on the rubber gloves, if you don’t want to get your hands dirty.

Get your Sugru glue – if it’s a small crack, you’ll need just one packet. However, if it’s larger, you will probably need at least two or three packets. And keep in mind – the larger the hole, the less stable this fix is going to make it. If it is a really large crack, I suggest you check out the next section – that fix is much more suitable for it.

One more thing – Sugru glue comes in several different colors. You want to get a color that’s going to match the outside of your suitcase so that it’s not noticeable that you ever repaired it. And again, we’re fixing the luggage from the inside.

So take out the glue, and first shape it into a little ball. Then try to press it to make a thick rectangle – if you use gloves, there won’t be any fingerprints in the glue, which will give it a smoother finish. Centre it over the mesh, and press it firmly into place to cover the entire hole, as well as the mesh. This will keep the support material in place, and make sure that it doesn’t fall out by accident.

But don’t worry if you can’t do that in one go – you can build up the patch later. It’s important to cover the hole first, and then you can add pieces of glue to cover the entire mesh. And be sure that you press the glue through the holes in the mesh – that way it will connect with all sides of the cracked shell.

The next, and last step is to build the patch from the outside of the shell. That way you’ll ensure that the glue is also connected to the outer part of your luggage and that it will stay in place. Also, this allows you to smoothen the outside of your suitcase and make the repair even less visible.

So, mold the glue on the outside until you’ve expanded it on all sides, and until you’re happy with the way it looks. If there is any access Sugru, feel free to remove it – this will make the shell look even more seamless.

And that’s it! Even though your suitcase might not look as perfect as when you first bought it, at least it’s much more functional now. And you can play around with some paint and cover up the entire patch of glue if you care about aesthetics that much. :>

Repair A Cracked ABS Shell

It is surprisingly easy to repair an ABS shell. And even if the crack is along the full length of the shell, you’ll be able to fix it. That’s some good news right there! You will need some supplies from the hardware store, though – namely Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) .

This is something you can’t really get on Amazon, but you should be able to find it in any hardware store. I will link some other supplies you’ll need – a piece of ABS plastic (it should be as long as the crack or slightly longer), a paintbrush, and a container.

You can get a plastic container, a glass container, or a ceramic one – just don’t get an ABS one. The MEK will burn right through it and you’ll have a huge mess on your hands.

Black ABS Plastic Sheet

Paint Brushes

First things first – get a piece of cardboard and put it below your cracked suitcase. And make sure to do this on a hard surface – preferably a glass or wooden table. So, put the cardboard on the table and then put the cracked shell on it (the inside of the suitcase should be facing up). Pour out some MEK into the container, and put it next to the shell.

Now, you want to make sure that the cracked sides of the shells are nicely aligned. They shouldn’t be overlapping, but rather simply touching each other. Dip the brush into the MEK and remove all access by tapping it against the sides of the container.

Then apply the MEK to the cracked plastic on the inside, as well as some to the cracked sides. You also need to apply some of it to the piece of ABS plastic that we’re using to cover up the shell.

Then press that piece of plastic onto the crack and leave it to set for about 20-30 minutes. You can also put something heavy on it, to ensure that the pieces stick together.

Here’s a helpful video on how to do this:

So what is actually happening is that t he MEK is dissolving the ABS plastic. When it’s dissolved it’s going to stick together nicely – that’s why we’re covering it with another piece. And you’ll see for yourself – after about 20 minutes, the crack should be perfectly patched up. And even stronger than before!

Fixing A Cracked Polycarbonate Suitcase

Gluing polycarbonate shell together is as easy as fixing ABS shells. The only thing that differs is the type of solvent used, and obviously the type of plastic you’ll need to make them stick together.

To see some detailed instructions on how to fix a polycarbonate shell, I suggest you refer to the video above. Just replace the MEK with methylene chloride and a sheet of ABS plastic with a sheet of polycarbonate plastic. Here’s what you’re going to need to repair the polycarbonate shell of the suitcase:

Methylene Chloride

Lexan Sheet – Polycarbonate

And just like with the previous fix – lay the shell flat on a hard surface, and put a piece of cardboard of wood below it. Pour out some methylene chloride into a container (obviously not a polycarbonate one; I suggest a glass or ceramic jar) and dip the paintbrush into it. Remove any access solvent and apply it to the cracked part of the shell.

Also, apply some methylene chloride to the sheet of polycarbonate that you’re using to cover up the crack, and then press that sheet firmly over the crack. You can put something heavy on it, and leave it to set for 20-30 minutes. And that’s it!

One more thing – make sure that the piece of plastic you’re using to cover up the crack is as long as the crack itself. This will ensure that it adheres to the crack completely and that the fix is successful.

Getting Scratches Out Of A Hardside Suitcase

Since there are about 20 different types of scratches you can find on your suitcase, we’ll talk about several different ways to remove them. Let’s start with some shallow scratches – you can remove these with some basic household items.

Removing Shallow Scratches – The First Method

For this fix you’ll need just an eraser and some toothpaste – I’m guessing you already have these at home.

First, you want to clean the scratch with some water, and then wipe it with some cloth to dry it. Take the eraser and rub it along the length of the scratch a few times . Do this lightly – if you rub too hard, you could remove some color from the shell of the suitcase. Wipe off any eraser residue from the scratch with a cloth.

Then you need some toothpaste – apply a small amount to the scratch with a toothbrush, and work it in circular motions to get it inside all parts of the scratch. Wipe it away with a wet cloth and you’re done. If the scratch was indeed pretty shallow, this should have fixed it. If your suitcase is still scuffed, let’s move on to the next fix.

Removing Shallow Scratches – The Second Method

This is a little more sophisticated fix, but it’s also more likely to work. You’ll need some wax-based furniture polish and some silicone-based furniture polish for this method:

Speed Cleaning Premium Furniture Polish (Wax And Silicone)

Daddy Van’s All Natural Unscented Beeswax Furniture Polish

First, wash the suitcase with some soap and water, and then use a wet cloth to remove any access soap from the shell. You can leave it to dry or dry it yourself with a kitchen towel.

When you’re sure that the shell is dry, take some wax-based furniture polish and apply it to the entire shell, putting a little extra over each scratch. This will make them much less visible, as well as increase the overall scratch-resistance of your luggage. And it will make it look really smooth so that no one will even notice the scuffs!

The wax-based polish actually fills in the gaps, and it reduces their depth significantly. After that, you want to apply some silicone-based furniture polish. It will bring out the natural shine and luster of the plastic, making your luggage look even better than before.

To really increase your chances of removing scuffs from your luggage, I actually suggest you combine these two methods. You can’t really overdo it – you can just make your suitcase look extra shiny and new!

Removing Deep Scratches

Removing deeper scratches from a suitcase is not as simple as the first two fixes. It actually includes repainting the shell, which can get pretty expensive. So, you have to decide for yourself whether it’s worth it.

For this fix, you will need some extra-fine sandpaper. Make sure that you get the right coarseness – if you get a sheet of sandpaper that is too coarse, you will ruin the entire shell of your suitcase. Additionally, it is better to get some finer sandpaper and then have to sand the shell for an extra minute or two, than to ruin it with some really coarse sandpaper.

3M Wetordry Sandpaper, 1000-Grit, 9-Inch by 11-Inch, 5 Sheets

Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Set

So, y ou have to sand the scratch. Do this gently and slowly, until you notice that the scratch is no longer visible. This will mean that you managed to get it out successfully. Actually, what you did is thinned that entire part of the suitcase, so be extra careful with it – depending on how deep the scratch was, this part of your suitcase could crack more easily in the future.

After that, you’ll want to repaint your luggage, because I’m guessing you sanded through the color/pattern. Obviously, you’ll need some paint that’s the same color as the rest of the shell. Or, you could go for a completely different color, and give your suitcase a makeover – it’s up to you!

Ultra-Quick Fix

I do have to state that this is not an actual fix. But if you’re tired of looking at the scuffs on your luggage, but don’t have the time to sand them or wax them it will do the trick.

Explore Land Travel Luggage Cover Suitcase Protector Fits 18-32 Inch Luggage (Multiple Colors)

8 Series Stickers 100 pcs/pack Stickers Variety Vinyl Stickers

You can get some stickers or luggage covers on Amazon, and use them to cover up the scratch. Additionally, this “quick fix” will significantly improve the scratch resistance of your hardside luggage . And while it might not be as permanent as thoroughly sanding out the scratch is, it’s perfectly suitable for the busy (or the lazy) traveler!

Fixing Rips on Softside Luggage

Although a rip in the fabric will hardly impact the functionality of your luggage, it is still something you want to fix. Especially if your suitcase isn’t really old – the more you use it, the more likely it is that the fabric will rip even more.

So, we’ll check out a few ways to fix any ripped fabric on your favorite softshell, both on its outside as well as on the inside!

Repairing Rips On The Outer Shell

There are several ways to repair a ripped shell of a softside suitcase. And you probably already have some of them in mid – like sewing the torn fabric together. But there are a few more creative ways, and we’ll also talk about those. Because they are awesome for all of you who would want to stand out at a crowded airport. Or just notice your suitcase more easily on the carousel.

Sewing Torn Fabric Together

This probably already crossed your mind. And if the fabric only tore apart, that is if there isn’t a piece missing, you could easily try to sew it together. But you’ll have to do it manually – suitcases are way too bulky to fit under a sewing machine.

And it’s not just that; even if the tore is on the top part of the suitcase, which you could fit under a sewing machine, and even if you get a needle that’s thick enough to go through the fabric, you will end up sewing through the inner pocket. And that’s not something you want.

So we’re going old school – get some needle and thread. If the fabric of the shell is pretty thick, you will also need a thick needle. And you want to get a thread that is the same color as the shell so that the seam isn’t that visible. Check some of these sewing kits, if you’re looking to get everything you need in just one purchase:

ARTIKA Sewing Kit with Over 130 Premium Sewing Accessories

The rest is pretty obvious – just sew the torn pieces of fabric together and that’s it. Keep in mind that this method is the easiest, but the seam will still be visible. If you want to cover up the entire thing, there are a few other things you could do. Let’s talk about those.

Sew Additional Fabric Over The Tear

This also works if your suitcase is missing a chunk of fabric. So, think about what you want your luggage to look like. Maybe you can add some lace to it? Or you could even sew an additional pocket over the tear? Your creativity is your only limit.

But yeah; you will want a large piece of fabric that you can cut in any shape you like . And playing with shapes is also pretty cool – you could cut out an emoji, a flower, a heart, or even a middle finger if you want to show everyone that you’re extra tough. Just make sure that the shape you are cutting will cover the entire tear.

I would get a ruler, measure out the length of the tear, and then mark it on the fabric that I’m using to cover it up. You can then draw on the fabric – there are about a million different stencils you can download online, and just trace them on the fabric. Cut it out, get some thread and sew it over the tear.

Or, you can even glue the fabric onto the shell – you just need a hot glue gun and some glue sticks. Like these:

Tear Mender Instant Fabric and Leather Adhesive

If you dig the glue gun idea, you can also consider getting some rhinestones and gluing them over the torn fabric. It would cover up the rips, and step up your bling game at the airport. Just don’t go to crazy – they will add to the total weight of your suitcase.

But if you don’t really care for the gun, you can also get some Tear Mender fabric adhesive. It works like a charm – just a few drops and the fabric should stick together nicely.

Sew/Iron On A Patch Over The Tear

Maybe you don’t want to cut out random shapes out of fabric, or maybe you don’t have the time. That’s fine. There are dozens of different fabric patches designed specifically for covering rips in the fabric . You can get them online, and they will make your luggage look pretty cool.

Especially if you pick a theme and commit to it – glue or sew patches all over your suitcase, and no one will ever know that it was ripped in the first place.

Dandan DIY Random Assorted Styles Embroidered Patch

Embroidered Badge Patches Assorted Styles

DIY Applique Patches

There is also a bunch of iron-on patches you can get. However, it might be more difficult to attach these to your luggage, since the fabric of the suitcase is neither smooth nor completely straight. But it’s worth giving a shot – especially since these don’t require any sewing.

Iron-on Patches Light Assortment

Iron-on Patches Dark Assortment

Inside-Out Patches Iron On–Cool Classics

What To Do With Rips In Leather Luggage

Fixing rips in leather isn’t as straightforward as fixing plain old fabric. You can’t just sew it together – leather is much more sensitive, and once you put a needle through it, you’ve made a hole that will last forever.

So, rather than risking making even a bigger mess of your suitcase, I suggest you get these patches:

MastaPlasta Leather Repair Patch

The MastaPlasta leather patches are very easy to use – you just peel them off and stick them onto the ripped part of your suitcase. They also work for leather handbags, jackets, and pretty much anything that you own that’s made of leather.

Additionally, you can get them in a variety of different colors, so it should be easy to get a patch that matches the colors of your luggage. The fix will be pretty seamless, and your suitcase will almost look as good as new.

Fixing Rips In The Lining

The lining is much easier to fix than exterior fabric. For one thing, it is pretty loose, it is much easier to sew a rip together without having to stretch out the fabric. You’ll just a needle and some thread, and you can sew the tear together.

But what I realized worked best for me was removing the lining altogether. And if it’s the kind that has a zipper in the middle, you will also be removing some weight from your luggage! Not to mention that you will also gain some packing space. As I like to say, when packing for an overseas trip, every single ounce counts!

How you are going to remove it depends on how it is attached to the suitcase. If it is zipped to the interior of your luggage, just remove the zip stops from the zipper, and completely remove the slider – the lining should come right of.

It can also be glued to the body of the suitcase. In that case, you will need to use some force to tear it apart from the body. Don’t worry about damaging the luggage – the worst thing that can happen is that the lining rips into a few more parts. And since you’re removing it anyway, that shouldn’t matter at all.

Finally, if the lining is sewn into the body of the luggage, it’s better to just cut it off. Get a pair of scissors, and cut as close to the seam as you can. Just be careful not to cut off any other parts of the suitcase. But if you do, scroll a little bit up to see how you can fix it. :>

That’s pretty much it. I think I’ve covered all my bases, but if you have a problem with your suitcase that I haven’t mentioned in this repair guide, then I want you to tell me all about it! Describe the issue in the comments, and I’ll do my best to tell you how to fix it. :>

Have fun DIY-ing and remember – be patient with the glue and don’t rush anything. I hope that these tips helped you repair your broken suitcase and saved you some money in the process!

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About the author roger timbrook.

Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!

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How To Fix Luggage Zipper in 5 Easy Ways

Traveling is an exciting experience, and luggage being a travel companion makes it convenient. But what if the luggage’s zipper got broken, it could be frustrating and inconvenient. It prevents you from accessing your belongings, missing flights, or essential appointments. However, fixing a luggage zipper is easier than it seems.

It often happens when you get a brand-new expensive luggage bag; it gets damaged after several uses. It could happen due to mishandling during flights. There are ways to repair your Luggage wheels, handles or zippers. Today we will share a comprehensive guide on how to fix your luggage zipper. We will cover everything from assessing the damage to gathering materials and fixing the zipper step-by-step.

This guide will be a valuable resource to help you quickly and easily fix your luggage zipper. So, let’s fix your bag and return to enjoying your trip.

Why do Zipper Breaks?

The zipper has endless jobs to perform. They get very little attention once they break. Zippers mostly break for two main reasons:

When zippers are used frequently, the tension on the slider can loosen. It makes it challenging to pull the teeth together. It can result in the zipper separating and becoming unusable, so when you force the zipper up while it’s biting a piece of fabric. It can cause the zipper track to become bent, resulting in broken or misaligned teeth.

When people store gear for an extended period without maintenance, the zipper teeth can become stiff and difficult to move. So, there is a helpful guide on how to store backpacks . Use zipper cleaner and lubrication oil to prevent the zipper teeth’s stiffness. These oils are perfect for maintaining your gear. Regularly check the zipper health at least once a year for all your gear, like backpacks, tents, jackets, and first-aid kits.

How To Fix a Luggage Zipper in 2023?

Project overview.

• Working Time: 10-30 mins                                               
• Est. Cost: $5- $10
• Skill Level: Beginner Level                                                
• Total Time: 10-30 min

Gather Your Supplies

Sharp Scissors Small needle-nosed pliers Strong thread Lubricant oil Tweezer Sewing needle Piece of paper Screwdriver

5 Different Ways to Fix a Luggage Repair

There are several ways to fix a luggage zipper. You can try these ways and quickly return to exploring and making memories on your travels. Here are five different ways to fix your luggage zipper.

1. Zipper Stuck Between Two Slides

Is your luggage zipper stuck between the two chain slides? It can be a common issue caused by bent teeth or rust on the chain teeth. The zipper won’t move up and down the chain if the teeth are bent or broken. Try these simple solutions to get your zipper moving again.

Solution: Use a tweezer to straighten any bent teeth gently. Make sure not to break or remove them. If teeth are broken or removed, the zipper will be stuck in that spot and won’t move along the chain.

If the zipper is still stuck, apply a small amount of lubricating oil to the affected area. The oil will reduce friction on the chain slider. Once the oil is used, gently move the zipper up and down on the slider to loosen it up.

Tip: You can use Lip balm as a substitute for lubricating oil.

2. Zipper Become Loose

If you frequently use your luggage, it’s common for zippers to become loose over time, especially if they’re made of low-quality materials. This issue can be frustrating if you’re worried about items falling out of your bag. However, there’s no need to panic as there is a simple solution to this problem.

Solution: To fix a loose zipper on your luggage, you’ll need to restore it to its previous state. Apply pressure to the zipper using a plier. However, be careful not to apply too much pressure. Otherwise, this can cause the zipper to break. Once you have applied enough pressure, the zipper should regain its shape and function properly.

3. Zipper gets Broken

Zippers on luggage can break due to wear and tear or being pulled too hard. If you’re facing this issue, don’t worry – there is a solution. To fix a broken zipper on your luggage, you’ll need to replace it with a new one. There are different types of zippers available on the market. So, you’ll need to choose one that fits your broken zipper.

Solution: To replace the zipper, you’ll first need to remove the damaged zipper. It involves pulling the stops off from the slides. When you remove the old zipper, insert the new zipper along the teeth of the zipper and block the teeth with the stop on the slide. With patience and effort, you’ll have a new zipper in place.

4. Zipper comes off from one side

Another common issue with luggage zippers is that they can come off from one side. So it becomes difficult to close or open the bag.

Solution: First, cut the zipper to the end using sharp scissors. Then, cut in between two of the prong pieces of the comb on the side that the zipper has disconnected from. Make sure to cut down as close as possible to the zipper. Once you have made the snip, thread the zipper through to get the tracks lined back up.

After re-threading the zipper, create a backstop for the zipper using a needle and thread. Right above where you made the snip, sew around in a circle until you have a nice little thread stopper. This sewing will prevent the zipper from coming off that spot again.

5. Zipper Pull is Broken/Lost

After many uses, the zipper pull may get broken, and sometimes you lose it. So, it can cause difficulty while zipping up your luggage. Here is a simple way to easily change your zipper pull.

Solution: First, use a flathead screwdriver to loosen the gap where the zipper pull was initially attached. Then, slide the new zipper into the gap. Put the pull on the opposite side of the gap from where the old pull was.

Next, place a sheet of paper on top of the zipper to prevent scratching. Then use pliers to apply enough pressure to keep the new pull in place. Check on the zipper as you go to make sure it’s securely attached but not too tight.

Can You duct tape the suitcase shut?

Using duct tape to fix a broken zipper or keep your suitcase securely shut may be tempting. But it is not a recommended solution. Duct tape can leave behind a sticky residue on your luggage, which can be challenging to remove and damage the fabric.

Using zip ties is a better option. They are strong enough to hold up under much pressure and pressure. Zip ties also won’t damage or tear the fabric of the suitcase. To use zip ties, thread them through the zipper pulls and tighten them until the zipper is completely secure.

How to Maintain Luggage Zippers?

When you maintain the luggage zippers, it ensures that they continue to function correctly. And it also prevents them from becoming stuck or breaking. Here are some tips to help you maintain your luggage zippers:

• Keep Zippers Clean: Dirt and debris can get trapped in the zipper teeth after frequent use. It can cause them to become stuck or break. To prevent this, clean your zippers with a soft-bristled brush, mild soap, and water.
• Lubricate the Zipper: A zipper that needs to be properly lubricated can also become challenging to open and close. Use a lubricant such as lip balm or lubricant to keep your zipper moving smoothly.
• Avoid overpacking: Overpacking the luggage can put extra stress on the zipper. It can ultimately cause it to become misaligned or break. Pack your luggage within the recommended weight limit and avoid stuffing it to capacity. Do you know how much a backpack weighs ? Get to know now!
• Handle with Care: Yanking or pulling on the zipper can cause it to become misaligned or break. Always handle your luggage with care. Also, gently guide the zipper along the track.
• Check for Damage: Inspect your zippers regularly for signs of wear or damage. If you notice broken teeth or damaged slider issues, replace the zipper immediately to avoid further damage.

It’s a common frustration when your luggage zipper is broken or stuck. But don’t worry; we’ve given you a complete guide on how to fix luggage zipper issues. The guide provides an easy and cost-effective solution to extend the life of your luggage. Whether it’s a simple fix like replacing the zipper pull, or a more complicated issue like a broken zipper, several methods exist.

As you now have the knowledge and skills to fix your luggage zipper. We hope you won’t have to face any further inconvenience. Happy traveling!

What is the easiest way to fix a stuck luggage zipper?

The easiest way to fix a stuck luggage zipper is to use a graphite pencil or oil to lubricate the teeth. You can also try using a soap bar, candle wax, or silicone spray.

Can I fix a broken luggage zipper myself?

It depends on the severity of the damage. If it’s a minor issue like a missing zipper pull or a loose slider, you can quickly fix it yourself. However, if the teeth are entirely broken, it’s best to seek professional help.

How can I prevent my luggage zipper from getting stuck?

Avoid overpacking to prevent your luggage zipper from getting stuck. You can also use packing cubes to help organize your items. Packing cubes also prevent things from putting too much pressure on the zipper.

Delsey Vs Samsonite: Which Brand Is Better?

Lucas Luggage Vs Samsonite: Identifying Key Differences

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Background and Identification

How to easily repair a bag's zipper, how to stop zipper teeth from reluctantly closing, how to repair a zipper with missing bottom teeth, how to fix the wheels of a samsonite suitcase, what are the most durable suitcases, can i repair the lining of my leather bag, what is the best backpack with a lifetime warranty, additional information.

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Luggage Repair

Devices used to transport clothing and equipment whilst traveling. Repair ranges in difficulty based on the damage.

8 Categories

Bluesmart black edition, patagonia wheeled luggage, rimowa trolley, timbuk2 messenger bag, timbuk2 suitcase, timbuk2 wheeled luggage, vaude backpacks, vaude luggage, replacement guides.

Slider on a Zipper

Disassembly Guides

L.L.Bean Rolling Backpack Handle disassembly and lubrication

How To Reset a Suitcase Lock

How to Fix the Side Pocket's Elastic on a Backpack

How to Re-Align the Zipper on a Backpack

How to Repair a Tear Inside a Backpack

Torn-Off Backpack Shoulder Strap Repair

Support Questions

These are some common tools used to work on this device. You might not need every tool for every procedure.

Phillips #1 Screwdriver

Utility Scissors

Large Needle Nose Pliers

6-in-1 Screwdriver

Luggage is used by people all around the world to transport clothing and other equipment. Luggage ranges in sizes and styles and may include any number of zippers, belts, buckles, wheels, and more. Due to the harsh conditions luggage often faces while in transit, repair is quite common and necessary. Common damage for suitcases and luggage include broken wheels and zippers, scratches, dents, and stuck locks and handles.

Baggage or luggage consists of bags, cases, and containers which hold a traveler’s personal articles while the traveler is in transit. The modern traveler may have packages containing clothing, toiletries, small possessions, trip necessities, souvenirs, and gifts. Luggage is designed to protect these items during travel, either with a durable soft material or a hard shell. Some luggage includes internal subdivisions or sections to help secure items. Handles are generally included to facilitate carrying, and suitcases may contain wheels and telescoping handles to allow the item to be wheeled rather than carried.

Historically, the most common luggage items were chests or trunks made of wood or other heavy materials. These chests were most often shipped by professional movers. Since World War II, smaller and more lightweight suitcases and bags that could be carried by an individual became the main form of luggage.

Modern pieces of luggage include trunks, suitcases, train cases, garment bags, totes, duffle bags, carpet bags, packing cubes, and gate check bags. Luggage can include locks to serve multiple purposes. Since 2003, most locks integrated into luggage use the TSA Lock Standard developed by Travel Sentry that allow opening by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration.

Frequently Asked Questions

To fix a zipper on a bag, start by removing the old zipper slider (the part that moves) off of the zipper itself. Bring the slider to the top of the zipper and remove the zipper stop by separating it with pliers. You can also use a seam ripper to remove fabric stitching, if necessary. Slide off the old slider and put a new one on from the top of the zipper, making sure the zipper slider’s nose is facing towards the top of the zipper. Attach a new zipper stop (or replace the old one) using pliers.

How to Fix a Broken or Separating Zipper

If the zipper on your bag or suitcase is hard to close, the teeth may be wearing out. Try slightly lubricating the teeth using petroleum jelly or candle wax, but be sure that the lubricant does not clog up the zipper’s teeth. If the zipper is stuck, try applying a dab of liquid laundry detergent with water as a lubricant. Zip a cotton ball into the detergent and water solution and coat the zipper’s teeth with it. If the zipper only moves a little bit, return it to its original position and repeat the process until the zipper moves smoothly and freely. Pencil graphite can be used for a similar process, rubbing the tip of the pencil on the zipper’s teeth until the zipper moves freely. If the zipper is still stuck after lubricating it, throw the item in the washing machine (if possible) to remove dirt and debris that might be causing the zipper to stick.

How to Fix a Variety of Stuck Zippers

To repair missing bottom teeth on a zipper, remove the bottom stop of the zipper using pliers. Then, remove the tack at the base of the zipper by flipping the item inside-out and removing the tack with a seam ripper. Insert a new, larger bottom stop that covers the missing teeth, and push the prongs of the bottom zipper stop into the fabric above the old zipper stop. Use pliers to close the prongs and secure the stop in place. Turn the item right-side-out and use a sewing machine or needle and thread to re-tack the bottom portion of the zipper above the location of the missing teeth.

To replace the wheels of a rolling suitcase, start by unzipping the suitcase liner and looking at the wheel assembly from the inside. If you see screws that can be removed, use a hex wrench to unscrew the visible screws and any screws hidden under the liner. Then, pull the wheel assembly from the suitcase. Some types of suitcases use rivets rather than screws, making the suitcase much harder to service. Use a screwdriver to pop up the C-shaped retaining ring and drill a hole directly above the bolt. This hole will allow you to insert a punch and hammer out the bolt to remove the wheel. Measure the diameter of the bolt and the diameter of the wheel, and buy a set of replacement wheels. To install the new wheels, follow the disassembly process in reverse. In many cases, you can reuse the original bolts and other hardware.

How to Replace Roller Luggage Wheels

According to Consumer Reports’ Luggage Buying Guide , the best luggage for you will depend on how you travel (fly, drive, or cruise), how your luggage will be stored, and the size of luggage necessary. Based on Consumer Reports’ Fall 2018 survey on members’ travel behaviors and luggage preferences, durability (how well zippers, handles, fabric, and other features hold up) had the strongest correlation to members’ overall satisfaction with their luggage. For domestic flights, carry-on bags cannot be larger than 22 inches high by 14 inches wide by 9 inches deep. For international flights, the size limit for carry-on luggage is generally smaller, but size requirements often vary by airline and airplane. Soft-sided luggage is usually lighter than hard-sided suitcases, plus they can flex and compress to conform to tighter spaces. Hard-shell or hard-sided luggage is generally made with high-tech plastics such as ABS and polycarbonate, which are lightweight and durable. Aluminum suitcases are the most durable, but also the heaviest. Hard-shell suitcases are the best for protecting breakable contents, but they can scratch and scuff easily. If you want a suitcase to last a long time, consider purchasing one with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty.

If the lining of the leather bag is synthetic or satin, it could be easily repaired or replaced. If the damage is minimal, it can likely be hand-sewn or patched with a needle and thread. Check to see if the lining is a separate piece from the outer leather; if the lining is separated from the outer piece and sewn together, it is possible to replace the lining. by ripping out the stitches, copying the lining pattern onto the new lining, and stitching it back into the bag. Many high-quality leather bags are not lined at all.

VAUDE and Patagonia luggage and backpacks are very repairable (iFixit even sells repair parts for VAUDE backpacks). Backpack brands with lifetime warranties include Adidas, Camelbak, Columbia Sportswear Backpacks, High Sierra, LL Bean, North Face, and Samsonite.

• Wikipedia: Types of Luggage
• Patagonia: Luggage
• Suitcase Repair Guide: Fix Anything on Your Luggage

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• Travel Essentials & Accessories

How To Repair Zipper On Travelpro Luggage

Published: October 27, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Malanie Stansbury

• Tech & Gear

Introduction

When it comes to traveling, having reliable luggage is essential. But what happens when the zipper on your trusted Travelpro luggage becomes damaged or breaks? Don’t worry – repairing a zipper may seem daunting, but with a few simple steps and the right tools, you can fix it yourself and extend the life of your luggage.

Understanding the structure of the zipper on your Travelpro luggage is the first step towards successful repair. A zipper consists of two strips of fabric with interlocking metal or plastic teeth. A slider, or pull, moves up and down the teeth, creating a secure closure for your luggage.

In this article, we will guide you through the process of repairing a zipper on your Travelpro luggage. We will discuss common issues, such as broken zipper pulls, misaligned teeth, and damaged sliders. Additionally, we will provide tips on properly maintaining your zipper to prevent future issues.

Before we dive into the specifics of zipper repair, it’s important to note that not all zipper issues can be fixed. If your zipper is severely damaged, it may be best to consider replacing your luggage. However, for minor zipper problems, follow our step-by-step guide to get your Travelpro luggage back in working order.

So, whether you’re preparing for an upcoming trip or simply want to extend the lifespan of your favorite travel companion, read on to discover how to repair a zipper on your Travelpro luggage and save yourself both time and money in the process.

Understanding the Zipper on Your Travelpro Luggage

Before you can effectively repair a zipper on your Travelpro luggage, it’s important to have a clear understanding of how the zipper works. The zipper is a fastening device that consists of two fabric strips, often referred to as the zipper tape, equipped with interlocking metal or plastic teeth.

The teeth on the zipper tape are designed to mesh together when the slider or pull is moved up or down. The slider, which is attached to a small tab, connects both sides of the zipper tape, allowing for easy opening and closing.

Travelpro luggage typically uses high-quality zippers, known for their durability. These zippers are designed to withstand the rigors of travel, but over time, they may become damaged or develop issues. Understanding the basic structure of the zipper will help you pinpoint the problem and determine the appropriate repair method.

Common zipper issues include broken or missing zipper pulls, misaligned teeth, and damaged sliders. A broken or missing zipper pull makes it difficult to open or close the zipper, while misaligned teeth prevent the zipper from properly connecting. Damaged sliders can cause the zipper to become stuck or completely inoperable.

To effectively repair your Travelpro luggage zipper, you will need to assess the specific issue and gather the necessary tools and materials. By understanding the basics of the zipper structure, you will be better equipped to identify and fix the problem at hand.

Now that you have a clear understanding of how the zipper on your Travelpro luggage works, let’s move on to assessing the damage and determining the appropriate repair method.

Assessing the Damage on Your Zipper

Before you can begin repairing the zipper on your Travelpro luggage, it’s important to assess the extent of the damage. This will help you determine the appropriate repair method and ensure a successful fix.

Start by carefully examining the zipper to identify any visible issues. Look for signs of a broken or missing zipper pull, misaligned teeth, or a damaged slider. If the zipper pull is intact but not functioning properly, it could be due to a misaligned slider or damaged teeth.

If you notice that the zipper pull is broken or missing, it’s a straightforward repair. On the other hand, if the teeth are misaligned or the slider is damaged, you may need to take additional steps to fix the problem.

To assess the misalignment of the teeth, gently try to align them by sliding the zipper pull up and down. If the teeth refuse to mesh and stay in place, or if the zipper becomes stuck, it’s likely a case of misaligned teeth.

When examining the slider, look for cracks, bends, or missing components. A damaged slider can cause the zipper to become stuck or not close properly. If the slider is damaged, it may need to be replaced entirely.

It’s worth noting that not all zipper issues can be easily repaired. If the zipper tape itself is torn or severely damaged, it may be best to consider replacing your luggage or seeking professional help to replace the zipper entirely.

Gathering the Necessary Tools and Materials

Before you begin repairing the zipper on your Travelpro luggage, it’s important to gather the right tools and materials. Having everything you need at hand will make the repair process smoother and more efficient.

Here’s a list of the tools and materials you’ll need:

• Needle-nose pliers: These will come in handy for manipulating the zipper components.
• Small pliers: You may need these to remove or replace the zipper slider.
• Replacement zipper slider: If your existing slider is damaged, you’ll need a new one that matches your Travelpro luggage zipper size.
• Replacement zipper pull: If your zipper pull is broken or missing, you’ll need a new one that fits your zipper tape.
• Thread and needle: This is necessary for sewing on a new zipper pull or making small repairs to the zipper tape.
• Scissors: You’ll need a pair of scissors to cut any thread or fabric during the repair process.
• Lubricant: A lubricant like zipper wax or silicone spray can help the zipper slide smoothly after the repair.

Take the time to gather all the tools and materials before proceeding with the repair. This will minimize any interruptions or delays and ensure a successful outcome.

It’s important to note that the specific tools and materials required may vary depending on the nature and severity of the zipper issue. For example, if you’re replacing a zipper slider, you may also need a seam ripper to remove the existing slider.

Now that you have all the necessary tools and materials, you’re ready to start repairing your Travelpro luggage zipper. In the following sections, we’ll guide you through the repair process for common zipper issues, such as a broken zipper pull, misaligned teeth, and damaged sliders.

Repairing a Broken Zipper Pull

If your Travelpro luggage zipper pull is broken or missing, don’t worry – it can be easily repaired or replaced. Follow these steps to fix a broken zipper pull:

• Start by removing any remaining pieces of the broken zipper pull from the zipper tape, using needle-nose pliers if necessary.
• Take your replacement zipper pull and thread it through the hole in the zipper tape. Make sure it is in the correct orientation (usually with the tab facing outwards).
• If the replacement zipper pull has a small metal or plastic piece called a “stopper,” make sure it is positioned correctly at the end of the zipper tape to prevent the pull from sliding off.
• Using a needle and thread, sew the new zipper pull securely to the zipper tape. Take a few stitches around the attachment point to ensure it is held firmly in place.
• Trim any excess thread and ensure that the zipper pull moves smoothly up and down the teeth.

If you don’t have a replacement zipper pull, you can also improvise by using a keyring, a small carabiner, or even a decorative charm. Simply attach it to the existing hole in the zipper tape and use it as a makeshift zipper pull.

Once you’ve successfully repaired or replaced the zipper pull, test the zipper several times to ensure it opens and closes smoothly.

Remember, a broken zipper pull is a relatively simple repair that can save you from having to replace your entire luggage. Making the repair yourself is cost-effective and allows you to continue using your trusted Travelpro luggage.

Now that you know how to repair a broken zipper pull, let’s move on to fixing misaligned zipper teeth, another common zipper issue you may encounter.

Fixing Misaligned Zipper Teeth

One of the most frustrating issues you may face with your Travelpro luggage zipper is misaligned teeth. When the zipper teeth aren’t properly aligned, the zipper becomes difficult or impossible to close. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to fix this issue:

• Start by gently pulling the zipper to one side, aligning the teeth as best as possible.
• If the teeth still won’t align, use your fingers or needle-nose pliers to carefully manipulate the teeth, guiding them back into alignment.
• Apply gentle pressure to move the zipper pull up and down, ensuring that the teeth mesh properly.
• Repeat this process, adjusting and realigning the teeth until the zipper moves smoothly along the entire length of the zipper tape.
• Once the teeth are aligned, you can further secure them by using a needle and thread to make a few stitches through the fabric next to the zipper tape. This will help keep the teeth in place and prevent them from misaligning again.

It’s important to be patient and gentle when realigning the zipper teeth to avoid causing additional damage. Take your time and work slowly to ensure the best outcome.

If the teeth remain misaligned despite your efforts, it may be necessary to replace the zipper entirely. At this point, you might consider bringing your luggage to a professional repair shop or contacting the manufacturer for assistance.

Fixing misaligned zipper teeth can save you the hassle and cost of purchasing a new travel bag. By following these steps, you can restore the functionality of your Travelpro luggage and be ready to hit the road again.

Now that you’ve learned how to fix misaligned zipper teeth, let’s move on to the process of replacing a damaged zipper slider, another common zipper repair task.

Replacing a Damaged Zipper Slider

If your Travelpro luggage zipper slider is damaged or broken, you may need to replace it to ensure smooth operation of the zipper. Follow the steps below to replace a damaged zipper slider:

• Start by examining the damaged zipper slider and determining if it can be removed. Some sliders can be easily detached by prying them open with small pliers or a seam ripper. Others may be permanently attached.
• If the current slider can be removed, carefully detach it from the zipper tape by gently prying it open or using a seam ripper.
• Once the old slider is removed, take your replacement zipper slider that matches the size and style of your Travelpro luggage zipper.
• Align the new slider with the zipper teeth and carefully slide it onto the zipper tape.
• Make sure the slider is correctly oriented with the tab facing outwards.
• If necessary, use small pliers to gently squeeze the sides of the new slider to ensure a secure fit and smooth movement along the teeth.
• Test the zipper several times to ensure the new slider moves smoothly and securely closes the zipper.

Replacing a damaged zipper slider can restore the functionality of your Travelpro luggage and prevent further issues. It’s important to choose a replacement slider that matches the size and style of your existing zipper to ensure a proper fit.

If you’re unsure about replacing the zipper slider yourself, consider seeking professional assistance from a repair shop or contacting the manufacturer for guidance.

Now that you know how to replace a damaged zipper slider, you can keep your Travelpro luggage in excellent working condition. In the next section, we’ll explore tips for maintaining your zipper and preventing future issues.

Maintaining and Preventing Zipper Issues

Proper maintenance is key to prolonging the life of your Travelpro luggage zipper and preventing future issues. Here are some tips to help you maintain your zipper and avoid common problems:

• Regularly clean your zipper: Dirt, dust, and debris can accumulate in the zipper teeth, causing them to become stuck or misaligned. Use a soft brush or toothbrush to gently clean the zipper, removing any particles that may hinder its functionality.
• Keep your zipper lubricated: Apply a small amount of zipper wax or silicone spray to the zipper teeth and slider. This lubrication helps the zipper glide smoothly and prevents excessive friction that can lead to damage.
• Avoid overstuffing your luggage: Overpacking your travel bag can put unnecessary strain on the zipper, causing it to become stressed or damaged. Pack your belongings carefully and avoid forcing the zipper closed when your luggage is too full.
• Use gentle zipper operation: Pull the zipper slowly and evenly without forcing it. Excessive force can cause the teeth to misalign or the slider to break. Avoid yanking or jerking the zipper as it may lead to unnecessary stress.
• Check for loose stitching: Inspect the areas around the zipper regularly to ensure the stitching is secure. Loose or damaged stitching can affect the zipper’s performance. If you notice any issues, repair the stitching promptly to prevent further damage.

By following these maintenance tips, you can prolong the lifespan of your Travelpro luggage zipper and prevent common zipper issues from occurring in the first place.

It’s also a good practice to periodically inspect your luggage’s zipper and address any minor issues promptly. Taking proactive steps can save you from more significant repairs or having to replace your luggage altogether.

Remember, proper maintenance and care are essential not only for your luggage’s zipper but for the overall longevity and functionality of your travel companion.

Now that you have learned how to maintain and prevent zipper issues, let’s wrap up this article.

Repairing a zipper on your Travelpro luggage may seem like a daunting task, but with the right knowledge and tools, it can be a straightforward process. By understanding the structure of your luggage’s zipper and assessing the damage, you can determine the appropriate repair method.

Whether you’re dealing with a broken zipper pull, misaligned teeth, or a damaged zipper slider, following the step-by-step instructions provided in this article can help you fix the problem and extend the life of your Travelpro luggage.

Remember to gather the necessary tools and materials before starting the repair process and to exercise patience and care throughout. Additionally, maintaining your zipper through regular cleaning, lubrication, and gentle operation can help prevent future issues.

If you encounter severe zipper damage or are unsure about making the repairs yourself, consider seeking assistance from a professional repair shop or contacting the manufacturer for guidance.

By taking the time to repair and maintain your Travelpro luggage zipper, you can continue to rely on your trusted travel companion for many more trips to come. So, don’t let a damaged zipper keep you from exploring the world – take the necessary steps to repair it and get back on the road with confidence.

Thank you for reading, and we hope this article has been helpful in guiding you through the process of repairing a zipper on your Travelpro luggage!

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Luggage Repair

Irv's luggage repair center - we service all bags, including golf bags, instrument cases & leather bags plus coats, tents & more.

Irv's Luggage repair center is the largest luggage repair center in the Midwest, and is designated as the repair and warranty center by all major luggage manufacturers. Established in 1947, Irv's Luggage is authorized by every major airline carrier to repair airline damage.

Irv's Luggage also provides luggage repairs for most of the mass merchant retailers in the Chicago area. Due to our excellent reputation and our close proximity to O'Hare International Airport, Irv's Luggage repairs thousands of damaged bags each year. Irv's Luggage Repair Center also ships across the continental U.S. via UPS ground service.

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• Email a digital picture of your bag's repairs to [email protected] and Irv's Luggage will provide a free estimate (we reserve the right to modify our estimate upon actual receipt of the bag and further inspection of the repair needed).
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• Many repairs are covered by either manufacturer's warranty or through airline damage reimbursement. Claims with luggage manufacturers are filed on your behalf. Assistance is provided for filing airline claims.
• Drop off repairs at Irv's Luggage in Vernon Hills, IL OR ship us your case and we'll ship it back to you when it's completed.
• Repairs are completed according to manufacturer's standards
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• DIY Luggage Repair Guide

B for Bag ›› Luggage Tips ›› Luggage Repair Guide

The B for Bag luggage repair guide covers the most common luggage repairs you should be able to do yourself.

All travelers should know the basics in DIY luggage repair (do it yourself luggage repair).

Most common luggage problems are easy to fix yourself. You may though need some luggage repair kit and spare parts to fix the luggage yourself.

How To Repair Luggage Wheels

Most loose or broken luggage wheels are easy to fasten or replace yourself.

How To Fasten Luggage Wheels

The most common problem with luggage wheels is they coming loose or falling off. This is simple to fix yourself. Just screw the wheel back on or fasten the screws with screwdriver. Just don't tighten the screws too fast as it could cause the wheel to crack. The screw must though be attached firmly enough to make the bag sturdy when wheeled around fully packed.

How To Replace Luggage Wheels

Sometimes wheels get stuck or broken and you will then have to replace them. The first step is to buy replacement wheel and then replace the damaged wheel with the new one. Luggage wheels are normally attached to the luggage base with either screws or rivets. Screws should be easy to remove with screwdriver but rivets can be more of a challenge.

If you can get to the bottom of the rivet, then you might be able to pull it out, e.g. by using power drill. If you cannot get to the bottom of the rivet, then you have a problem. You may be able to have the wheel professionally replaced or you might have to replace the bag.

Luggage Repair Guide Tips

Always test your luggage after fastening or replacing luggage wheel. Make sure the wheels are even and the bag sturdy when you are pulling it. Empty bags are always wobbly so make sure you test the bag with some heavy items inside.

How To Repair Luggage Zipper

The most common problems with luggage zippers are they coming stuck, tangled or simple damaged and need to be replaced.

How To Fix Stuck Luggage Zipper

The best way to dislodge stuck metal zipper (chain zipper) is to apply wax along the teeth of the zipper. You can get special luggage zipper lubricants but candle wax can also do the trick. It is good practice to wax metal zippers on regular basis to prevent them from coming stuck (and vulnerable for damage).

Coil zippers are increasingly used for luggage and they are self-healing, i.e. if the zipper is distorted it can easily be restored to its original condition by simply pulling the slider backward.

How To Replace Luggage Zipper

Replacing broken zipper is usually not a DIY luggage repair job. If the zipper is damaged beyond repair and needs to be replaced, it makes sense to have it professionally replaced.

You cannot travel with a bag that has broken zipper. If the zipper breaks while you are travelling, you often have little choice other than to replace the whole bag. It therefore doesn't make sense to travel with a bag with dodgy zipper in the first place.

If you know the zipper is dodgy or the bag is not closing properly, then it is time either to change the zipper (before it breaks) or buy a new bag.

How To Repair Luggage Handles

Luggage carry handles tend to tear or fall off while the most common problems with telescoping handles is when they jam or come cumbersome to operate. Telescoping luggage handles can also break down and then need to be replaced. It can be easy to replace luggage handles yourself but some handles are though more challenging to replace then others.

How To Repair Telescoping Luggage Handles

If the telescoping handles system is difficult to operate, there may be some debris that needs to be removed but in most cases cleaning and lubricating the mechanism is all it takes.

Start by unscrewing the handle and pull the handle mechanism out. Look into the handle housing for any debris that could be clogging the retracting mechanism (and remove it if you see any). Before you put than handle back on generously lubricate the whole mechanism. Then screw the handle system back on and extend and retract the handle few times to evenly lubricate the whole handle system.

How To Replace Telescoping Luggage Handle

The first step is to buy replacement handle, then remove the old one and put the new one in. Sounds simple enough.

Most luggage handles have screws or bolts on the inside and outside of the bag. Start with the screws inside the bag. Most luggage allows you easy access to those screws, e.g. by unzipping the inside liner. But sometimes it can be difficult to get to the screws without damaging the internal liner. If this is the case, then you might want to take your bag to luggage repair shop.

When you have replaced the handle, apply lubricant (e.g. WD-40) to it. Make sure you distribute the lubricant evenly by extending and retracting the handle few times. And don't forget to test your luggage after replacing the luggage handle.

How To Replace Carry Luggage Handles

It is usually straightforward to replace the carry handles, i.e. if you can find suitable replacement handle. Most carry handles are screwed with two screws at the top and two at the bottom, i.e. inside the bag. The most likely problem you might encounter is regarding access to the inside screws, like with the telescoping handle.

If carry handle falls off while you are travelling and you cannot replace it in time for your return trip, there are some temporally fixing you may be able to do with super glue and duct tape.

Just apply few drops of super glue to the handle and press it firmly on the luggage base for minute or so. Wrap the handle with duct tape to add strength to the handle. Wrap from one end of the handle to the other, for maximum strength make sure the duct tape overlaps when wrapping the handle.

How To Repair Luggage Fabric

Stains and tear in the fabric is the most common fabric DIY luggage repair. We look at how to remove stains in Luggage Maintenance .

How To Fix Tear In Luggage Fabric

If the tear is small, you may be able to sew it together. You may though prefer to glue it together, especially for larger tears. You should use fabric glue for all bags made of fabric, vinyl cement for luggage made of vinyl and rubber cement or vinyl acetate adhesives to repair torn leather luggage.

Just apply glue to the inside edge of the torn fabric and press the torn edges together to close the tear. If there is still a gap, then apply glue along the seam on the outside as well. Wipe off any excess glue and allow the glue to dry properly before using the bag.

If the tear is substantial, then you might have to use patch from matching material underneath the tear.

Hard Case Luggage Repair Guide

The biggest problem with hard case luggage tends to be dents and scratches on the hard surface.

How To Fix Dents In Hard Case Luggage

To fix dents in metal luggage (e.g. aluminum) tap the inside of the case with hard block of wood until it pops back into shape. Be careful though, if you do it too intensely you can damage your bag for good.

To fix dents in luggage made from plastic materials (e.g. polycarbonate, polypropylene, ABS) hold hair dryer to the dented side. Heat the dented area for approximately ten minutes. The heat should resolve the dent but if needed you can apply light pressure from behind the back to help the dent to pop back out.

One More Luggage Repair Guide Tip... An Important One

It is usually very inconvenient when the luggage breaks down while you are travelling. In most cases, you will not have the time or the tools to fix the luggage yourself, meaning you are likely to have to buy a replacement bag on the spot.

It is therefore good practice to clean and maintain your bag as soon as you return home from your travels. This means your luggage will be in good condition when you next need it.

If you notice anything "risky" about your bag, e.g. difficult to close the zipper or sticky telescoping handle mechanism, repair it before it breaks down. And remember, at some point your luggage may be beyond repair. Accept it and buy a replacement bag rather than risking our bag breaking down on you when you least need it.

Luggage Repair Kit

Below is a selection of luggage repair kits which you can buy from Amazon. Make sure you buy one today, it is better to have one available when you need it!

Where To Find The Right Luggage Repair Parts

What To Have In Mind When Buying Luggage

How to Keep Your Luggage Safe

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How to Fix a Zipper, Broken Wheel, and More On the Go - Short Term Suitcase Repairs

Travelpro Travel Expert Editor

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On the Fly Fixes - Short Term Repairs For a Broken Suitcase

It can happen when you least expect it. You’re packing to head home from your trip when the zipper gets stuck, the wheels won’t budge, or the handle detaches. When replacing your luggage isn’t an option, what can you do?

Don’t let a suitcase snafu derail your plans. Instead, try these quick Travelpro luggage repairs below or check out  our instructional videos for a step by step tutorial.

How To Fix A Zipper On A Suitcase

Can you replace a zipper on a suitcase? Yes, but a luggage zipper repair may be a better choice. Before    swapping out the zipper , assess what could be causing the issue and try that fix first. 

• A broken zipper pull. If your zipper pull snaps off from aggressive handling or an accidental tumble, thread a strong ribbon, paper clip, keychain, or safety pin through the hole where the zipper pull should be. Travelpro’s SUPRA™ zipper heads are engineered to resist damage and loss, so be sure you are buying quality luggage to avoid this mishap altogether.
• Zipper stuck on fabric. Stuck zippers can be infuriating. Try wiggling the zipper slider to free it from the fabric. If it remains stuck, use a pair of tweezers to pull away the blockage.
• Teeth don’t connect. If the zipper doesn’t appear to be stuck on fabric but it just won’t move, there could be a problem with the teeth. In this case, rub some candle wax or bar soap over the teeth to help them slide back together.

How To Fix A Suitcase Handle

One of the most revolutionary suitcase features is the retractable top handle, which was  invented by Travelpro founder Robert Plath . How did we survive without it? No need to find out.

• A stuck handle. When a handle isn’t sliding up and down as it normally does, it may simply need to be lubricated with WD-40 or a similar product that will help the metal move smoothly again. 
• Sometimes, the handle can feel stuck when the bag is overpacked and there is too much pressure on the inner tubes. Lighten the load a little and try the handle extension again.
• If it turns out you need to replace the carry handle on your luggage ,  check out our video tutorial for step by step instructions.

How To Fix Suitcase Wheels

Don’t get slowed down by a stuck wheel. While you could take your luggage to a  suitcase repair shop or order new wheels and change them yourself, check for the following issues before trying replacements : 

• Dirty wheels. When traveling, your wheels can pick up dust, dirt, or other debris that can cause them to stick. Try cleaning the wheels and wheel housings to see if this solves the problem. 
• Worn-down hardware. Wheels that are turning to the side are an indicator that a screw is either loose or stripped. In this case, just switch out or tighten the hardware that’s holding the wheels in place.

Maintaining Your Luggage

To keep your wheels, handle, and zipper functioning properly, avoid over packing. Squeezing too much into a small suitcase creates stress on its components. When not in use, store luggage flat or nested and don’t stack other objects on top, possibly misshaping the bag.

Cheaply made suitcases are less likely to last and rarely offer warranties, which can cost you more long-term. Instead, invest in a trusted brand like Travelpro for lasting durability with peace of mind guarantees .

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