Bottle cage screw

Amprodude · 02-07-2013 8:17pm #1

Hi I replaced the bottle cages on my second bike with light custom ones but I can't screw one of the screws of bottle cage into my aluminium frame. It goes in about 1/4 of the way and then it rotates but won't tighten at all. Screw goes in 1/4 of way only. Am I goosed?

MajesticDonkey · 02-07-2013 8:29pm

Lump hammer?

Amprodude · 02-07-2013 8:39pm

MajesticDonkey wrote: »

Lump hammer?

Would that work through threads? I just want to get it in. It won't be coming out no more once inserted.

MajesticDonkey · 02-07-2013 8:41pm

Amprodude wrote: »

Would that work through threads? I just want to get it in. It won't be coming out no more once inserted.

Heh, not sure to be honest. I doubt it though... :P

derealbadger · 02-07-2013 8:52pm

If a lump hammer wont do it then leave it there is no point in forcing it

Surveyor11 · 02-07-2013 9:01pm

Happened to me as well - use a bit of plumbers tape around the screw.

Amprodude · 02-07-2013 9:16pm

MajesticDonkey wrote: »

Heh, not sure to be honest. I doubt it though... :P

I felt like doing that but wait and see if something more suitable can be tried?

Amprodude · 02-07-2013 9:18pm

Surveyor11 wrote: »

Happened to me as well - use a bit of plumbers tape around the screw.

I will try that tomorrow.

Amprodude · 02-07-2013 9:19pm

derealbadger wrote: »

If a lump hammer wont do it then leave it there is no point in forcing it

It's a pity I can't turn it a few extra notches. It would be ok then I think.

derealbadger · 02-07-2013 9:26pm

Amprodude wrote: »

It's a pity I can't turn it a few extra notches. It would be ok then I think.

get a very slightly bigger selftapper screw

Amprodude · 02-07-2013 9:57pm

derealbadger wrote: »

get a very slightly bigger selftapper screw

I assume a bike shop won't have one of these?

derealbadger · 02-07-2013 10:00pm

Amprodude wrote: »

I assume a bike shop won't have one of these?

no but any hardware store will the other thing that might fix it is if you get a tap and re screw it out has it ever been used before

Amprodude · 02-07-2013 10:03pm

derealbadger wrote: »

no but any hardware store will the other thing that might fix it is if you get a tap and re screw it out has it ever been used before

There was another cage on bike before I unscrewed that and screw got stuck 1/4 from the end. With a bit of force the screw came out. Then I put on new cage and screw won't go beyond the 1/4 point mark anymore.

Amprodude · 02-07-2013 10:18pm

When i rotate screw it seems to be turning with the threads inside in frame and therefore no movement.

derealbadger · 02-07-2013 11:30pm

if you could get somebody with taps for making the thread they would sort it for you selftapper might do it also any friends plumber's or sparks

Frere Jacques · 03-07-2013 8:39am

Please don't use a self tapper. Get a longer screw. It sounds like someone who attached the cage last time cross threaded the screw. When you removed it, it stripped out the last few threads. The rest of the pitches of thread, the deeper ones (2 or 3 max) are probably okay.
If you want measure the size of the screw on PM me and I'll send you on a longer one. I have an M5 x 16mm in front of me which will probably do it, yours is more than likely an M5 x 12. You can throw 20c into the poor box to cover the costs:D.
Otherwise just call to the local bike store and ask them to run an M5 tap through the hole to clean the threads and ask them for an M5 x 16mm. Just make sure it's stainless or it will rust after a few spins.

Bottle cage screw

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