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How to Repair a Walking Doll

Walking dolls have a basic spring mechanism inside in the middle section. You can use inexpensive replacement parts to repair a vintage walking doll and restore walking function. Some walking dolls were made in Europe during the 18th and 19th century, and these dolls should be repaired by an experienced doll restorer. These antique walking dolls have more complicated mechanisms, similar to that of an antique clock with spinning parts and other moving pieces. But if your walking doll is more recent--mid-20th century, for example--you should be able to get her back on her feet.

Things You'll Need

mini flash light
long needle nose pliers
seam circular elastic
strong rubber bands, various sizes
cord string

Instructions

Replace the spring with elastic
- 1
  Look inside the doll body by gently pulling the leg socket to one side; use a mini flashlight. There should be a spring coiled around a device inside the doll; this spring enables the doll to walk at the knees and legs. Take out the worn spring with long needle nose pliers, and replace the old spring with seam circular elastic, which is purchased at sewing supply stores.
- 2
  Look inside the doll's arm sockets to see the old rubber band. Remove the old rubber band, and replace it with a strong, new rubber band. The rubber bands holding the arm sockets are the easiest to replace, because they are easy to remove by hand.
- 3
  Pull gently on the leg joints to see if the rubber band in the leg is frayed. To restring, take small pliers and restring the legs using cord string. You can use rubber bands, but cord string will last longer. You can get cord string at a doll or toy supply store.
- 4
  Make sure the cord and rubber bands are not restrung too tightly, or the doll might not walk properly. Leg sockets that rub against the lower torso can get worn if the doll is restrung too tightly; if the doll is made of hard plastic or composition, these areas can get chipped, damage the doll and reduce value.
- 5
  If you cannot fix a walking doll, go to a hobby or toy store in your area and ask for the name of an experienced doll restorer. You also can look online for doll restoration specialists at sites such as dollhaven.net and www.antiquedollrestoration.com.

Dolls