While your lighter is likely of high quality, use and wear can reduce its functionality to a considerable degree. Some smokers find that they need to replace the flint wheel on their lighters. If you have a Zippo lighter, then you do not have to worry about this. Zippos come with lifetime warranties, so you’ll simply need to ship the lighter off to the manufacturer, where the wheel will be replaced before being sent back to you. However, if you do not have a Zippo, you will need to know how to go about replacing the flint wheel.

However, if your lighter does not have a warranty, you’ll need to know how to go about replacing that flint wheel. The first step is to locate the serial number or other identifying number on your lighter. Common locations for this number include the bottom of the outer case, the inside of the outer case or even on the interior insert. The number is usually stamped into the metal though you will find some lighters that use other methods. Once you have located the serial number, you will have to contact the manufacturer or visit their website to order your replacement part.

Sometimes, you can find a similar lighter and use it for spare parts. Look at the mounting method used to affix the flint wheel on both lighters. If they are the same and the wheels are of the same dimensions, you should have no problem fitting the wheel from the donor lighter to your own.

The process of removal and installation can vary quite a bit, though. You’ll find that some manufactures use steel bars, others use plastic bars while even more use metal rivets to hold the flint wheel in place. Before you start removing any parts, you need to make sure that you have the tools for the job on hand.

The most common means of affixing flint wheels is a rivet. If you have a pair of needle-nose pliers and a pop rivet gun, as well as a replacement rivet, you can take the flint wheel from your donor lighter and put it on yours without much trouble. If you do not have these tools or the replacement rivet, don’t attempt the installation. Instead, find or borrow the required tools to ensure that the replacement is done correctly. Incorrect installation can result in damage.