The Doll Forum

After roughly one very fantastic year, I decided to bring April17 out for some commemorative photo shoot.
But her right hip became detached while posing. Any advice on how I should go about reattaching it?

Oh, no, you need to cut her thigh open and repair her skeleton. If the metal pipe is broken then you are out of luck, if the screw is off then you can just put the screw back with a washer and threadlock glue. Then you use TPE glue to close the big gap. It's not easy to do. A scar will remain.

If that's possible, bring her to a clinic do an X-Ray first to find out what exactly happen.

Feel around while gently moving both hips. Compare the two. It may give you an idea what could possibly be wrong. It's a start.
The only way to know as philpw99 stated is to cut a small incision at seam (very sharp scissors) and have a look. Most likely there will be gauze or something covering the joint.
There are posts here how repairs have been done with adding material to fix. Not an easy thing to diagnose until seeing what is actually wrong. unfortunately.

I'm in the same boat with a loose hip. feeling around and comparing the two with movements. it does not feel broken. I hope in your case it isn't broken either.

Maybe this helps to clarify:
If you are lucky, only one of the bolts came loose. As suggested, try to feel where the bolts are and which moving direction is without resistance.
If its a broken weld on the thigh "bone", it gets more complicated, but it is still doable.
I have succesfully exchanged a lower leg bone on my DS145, that was 2 1/2 years ago, the leg moves still as adjusted at that time.

So sorry to hear about this.

Just be brave and make the incision to have a look. See viewtopic.php?p=936297#p936297 where I tightened up Chloé's joints. On Aira, her sister, I've replaced shoulder to elbow bone with no trouble and DS are BRILLIANT at sending replacement bones if necessary.

For those recommending TPE glue - NO! These dolls are platinum silicone and Permatex Windshield flowable silicone is the best stuff to glue them together.

If I'm not mistaken Karrot's Xiaoli has had surgery and the good thing about silicone dolls is that it's all doable and as long as the incision is neat and along the seam, a repair can be near invisible for all practical purposes.

Samara says that to stick the foam together the flowable silicone's great for that too.

Best wishes

Harem

Hi chewy
Sorry to hear about the broken hip.
Please see: viewtopic.php?f=183&t=76351&hilit=ds+br ... p+jiayi%5D
All the best for a full recovery.
Jiayi

Dont use tpe glue, DS are made out of silicone, permatex windshield 8130 has work great for me so far. You'll need an xacto knife, 100% acetone,special gloves,and a metal food injector so far to inject the silicone once you are done with the surgery. I have work with delamination problem, which is not exactly the same, but if there is anything I can help you with send me a PM.

Since we’re talking repairs, for a TPE doll, TPE glue can fix small tears between fingers and toes, and small gashes? If so, where is the best place to order it and are their certain colors you can order? Been meaning to ask about this for my beautiful Annie. She’s a WM163. Any info is much appreciated!

Goose

chewy wrote:After roughly one very fantastic year, I decided to bring April17 out for some commemorative photo shoot.
But her right hip became detached while posing. Any advice on how I should go about reattaching it?

She is gorgeous! First make and incision to theouter layer with an exacto knife. Cut her wide so her skin doesn't tear.

Have a look inside and post pics. John and steven will help you too. Their customer service is top notch!
Of course we will help too.

Pro tips...
Cut six or seven inches total length.
Use antibacterial soap on the blade 4 a clean cut.
Once cut wear nitrile gloves to investigate.

Almost forgot there will be foam inner layer around the frame. Cut this carefully with the exacto blade dry.
Take pics and report back. Karrot has a good threat on his ds xoili repair. Check it out also

Thanks for all the advice. Just by looking at the skeleton picture alone I am almost pretty sure where it is broken and how it is broken. I am also relieved to see that the broken part can be detached and replaced.

I will post some pics once I cut her open.

We are here to help you!

GooseLooney wrote:Since we’re talking repairs, for a TPE doll,

No. This thread is specific to DS dolls which are exclusively silicone.

Mention above is made about delamination.

In my experience delamination can be an advantage rather than otherwise . . . allowing greater movement and without detriment

Best wishes

Harem

After steeling my resolve with a shot of brandy, i finally cut open my lovely and got to where the joint is broke



I tried removing the part by turning all the bolts I can reach counter clockwise, but my arms are too weak to loosen any of the nuts.

Argh..... this is going to be a much longer struggle than I expected. But there is no turning back now.

I guess I need to do some weight training before I try again.

By any chance are the nuts spot welded to prevent turning? If so, that needs to be cut and or ground off before the nut can be removed.

Your courage has already been demonstrated by cutting and having a look.
Mr. Franz is correct. they do tack weld nuts and bolts. This may be giving you some grief.

She is on the mend sir!! with patience, you'll succeed in this repair!