How to Repair A Broken Hip In A Plastic Doll

Written By: Lee Brunkhardt

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How to Repair A Broken Hip In A Plastic Doll

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to repair a broken off ball joint in a Fashion Doll. The example used in this guide is a 2016 slim box Barbie, but the steps can be applied to other Fashion Dolls such as Monster High, Rainbow High, Disney Princess Dolls, and any other plastic dolls.

If you are a child, please ask a parent for help as this repair involves fire and needles.

The ball joint secures the doll leg to the torso and provides mobility. The joint is one solid piece of plastic with three important areas. First is the solid plastic that is affixed inside the doll. Second are two small pegs, which stick out on each side. Third are balls at the ends of the pegs, which pop into sockets inside the doll's legs. During play or when trying to remove a leg, the plastic pegs can snap, breaking the ball off. This guide walks you through making a "splint" out of a sewing pin and super glue to securely reconnect the broken peg.

In steps 3 and 5 of this guide, you will use a lighter to heat up a metal sewing pin. Please perform these steps away from anything flammable, and avoid touching the hot metal with your bare skin. In steps 4 and 6 you will stick the hot sewing pin into plastic. Please perform these steps in a well ventilated area, as melting plastic can produce fumes. Additionally, the sewing pin is sharp at the end, so handle it carefully even when it's cold.

Caution: this isn't a perfect solution and it may degrade over time. If the ball joint breaks again, a sharp needle will be exposed.

Tools

Step 1

Determine where your doll is broken: is it at the knee? Hip? Arm?
If it’s broken at the knee, as marked in the second photo, unfortunately this guide will not help as it is a different kind of joint.

Step 2

If the ball is still inside the leg, remove it with pliers.

Step 3

Hold one of the sewing pins with the pliers and heat the sewing pin with a lighter.
Do not leave fire unattended. The metal will be hot, so please don't touch it with your bare skin.

Step 4

With the hot sewing needle, make a small hole in the center of the broken off ball. Make sure the needle is straight.
This may take a few attempts and a few needles.
Heating up the plastic will result in some fumes. Perform this step in a well ventilated area.

Step 5

Hold one of the sewing pins with the pliers and heat the sewing pin with a lighter. (This is a repeat of Step 3.)
Do not leave fire unattended. The metal will be hot, so please don't touch it with your bare skin.

Step 6

With the hot sewing needle, make a small hole in the peg of the hip. Make sure the needle is straight. Leave the pin inside.
This may take a few attempts and a few needles.
Heating up the plastic will result in some fumes. Perform this step in a well ventilated area.

Step 7

Remove the pin from the broken off ball joint with a pair of pliers.

Step 8

Using the pliers, cut the pin in the hip section to the appropriate length to fit into the hole made from Step 6.
Test the needle length by fitting the ball joint pieces together. The needle should be completely covered.
The needle will go flying when you cut it, so direct it away from your face and other precious objects.