Following from our recent post about faults with the Lego Technic Excavator,  Lego have announced that they'll be replacing the 4 Linear Actuators from the set with a new design.

If you've bought the set you can contact Lego Customer Services via this link to register for the free service pack -

http://service.lego.com/en-US/Default.aspx

It's expected the service packs will be sent out in October.  At this stage we don't know when the set will be re-released back to shops.

NEW LEGO TECHNIC MINDSTORMS Useful Part Linear Actuator More Information.....

£.99

NEW LEGO TECHNIC MINDSTORMS Useful Part Linear Actuator More Information.....

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Lego Technic Linear Actuator Piston( NEW TYPE ) L@@K More Information.....

£10.00

There are various stories circulating amongst Lego Technic fans that the Lego Technic Excavator (set 8043) has been withdrawn from shops.  On Tuesday the product mysteriously disappeared from Lego's Shop@home service from every country.  According to a post on Eurobricks, Lego has actually pulled 50 boxes and built them - all had issues.

At this stage it seems that some of the functions are under powered when using the medium motor.  The faults develop over time and the movements of the excavator start to slow down even with fresh batteries.  Lego says they're investigating the fault and some people have been offered full refunds when the products been returned to Lego.

Lego are investigating if it's a faulty batch of motors, or a generic fault with the design of the model.  They hope to have more of an idea within 7 days, and a redesigned model within 3 months.

This is the second fault to hit Lego this year.  Faults were found with the new PF remote control system earlier in the year.

Various issues have been reported with the model including

• Motors heating up
• Motors making sounds as if under high load
• Tracks running at vastly different speeds
• Slow slewing
• Main arm raising very slowly
• Main stick moving slowly
• Actuators making unusual noises
• Batteries not lasting long
• When dismantled, there is visible dust on the gears and axles

Lego Technic 8043 Excavator More Information.....

£112.07

NEW LEGO TECHNIC MINDSTORMS Useful Parts 8043 Tracks More Information.....

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Lego 8043 Motorized Excavator NEW More Information.....

£139.99

LEGO® TECHNIC 8043 Motorized Excavator NEW and SEALED More Information.....

£139.00