Er, can this be fixed?

Seaneh

Howye lads.

So, my beloved Tricross has a boo-boo,

I was putting back on her winter clothes the other day which consist of 32c tyres, mudguards and a pannier rack.

Anyway, everything going great until I go to screw in the right side frame mount on the rack.

I get the bolt lined up, start turning with my hand and when it's get resistance I switch to allen key and start turning, it turns for about half a turn and then starts getting stiff, so I unscrew it, out some lube on the threads of the bolt and try again, screw with fingers until its too hard, grab the allen key and go to finish the job and the same thing happens so I decide I'll just try more pressure and hope it works, allen key turns but all of a sudden the bolt isn't going any further into the eyelet. it's just spinning freely, it's about half way in and won't come back out and won't go any further in. Now, I'm not actually too bothered by this for the minute seeing as the rack is pretty securely on and there is only a few mm is space between the frame and the bolt head and it's not going anywhere. So as long as the bolt doens't snap or pop out of the eyelet I'm happy to leave it as it is and live with it for now.

The problem will come when I want to take the rack off next spring sometime or if I want to take it for a longer spin this winter. I'm going to have to get a hacksaw and cut through the bolt to get the rack off by the looks of it.

Is there any way to repair the eyelet? I'm not sure if the entire eyelet is now loose or it the bolt is just stripped in the middle and spinning free and the thread on the end is holding it in place... It's an Aluminium frame, if the eyelet is totally bollocksed would I be better off just getting a good bike mechanic to drill a hole through the other side of the stay and putting a bolt right through with a nut on the other side? Or would this risk frame failure?

It's not the first time this has happened on the bike, when I got it the mudguards were installed and when I tried to remove them at the start of the good weather this summer the bolt that holds the guard between the stays wouldn't come out as the washer buil into the frame was loose and spinning free with the bolt stuck in it so I had to slide the guard out of the mount and just leave the mount in place.


TL,DR,
Can I repair the eyelet and if not, is drilling through the other side of the stay to improvise a mounting point a total no-no?

Zyzz

No. Buy new bike.

Seaneh

Zyzz wrote: »

No. Buy new bike.

Not an option, need serious answers, the love for the tricross is strong.

Squidgy Black

Sounds like the threads are knackered. I don't think you can re-thread eyelets, they're fairly small and the cost probably wouldn't be worth your time. As for drilling through the hole and using a nut and bolt, I wouldn't have a clue, your best bet is probably to ring someone who does frame repairs etc. I can't imagine why it wouldn't be fine though, once the bolt is snug enough in the hole.

Seaneh

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

Sounds like the threads are knackered. I don't think you can re-thread eyelets, they're fairly small and the cost probably wouldn't be worth your time. As for drilling through the hole and using a nut and bolt, I wouldn't have a clue, your best bet is probably to ring someone who does frame repairs etc. I can't imagine why it wouldn't be fine though, once the bolt is snug enough in the hole.

I actually pm'ed the lad who sold me the bike in the hopes he will take it to the shop where he bought it and see if it's covered unter Specalized's lifetime warranty. Long shot but worth a try.

bax4556

do not drill thru the stay under any circumstances--- cut the head of the bolt which is in place now and screw on a locknut using needle nose pliers to hold the bolt if necessary

Seaneh

bax4556 wrote: »

do not drill thru the stay under any circumstances--- cut the head of the bolt which is in place now and screw on a locknut using needle nose pliers to hold the bolt if necessary

Wait, how would the locknut work?

LastGasp

I had a similar probem when fitting a rack to a titanium frame with stainless bolts. First side went in fine, but second gave resistance. Backed it out and tried again a few times, and eventually tried to force it to turn. No more than half a turn "welded" the bolt to the frame, and the head sheared off. Vice grips on the stump couldn't shift it, and I didn't have the technology to drill through the stainless bolt cleanly. Ended up cutting it off flush, and fitting the rack to the frame with basic Halfords P-clips instead.
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_783209_langId_-1_categoryId_212476

p.s. As mentioned above - DO NOT DRILL THROUGH THE STAY !

Seaneh

Well, with my bike it actually looks like the eyelet has come lost in the frame, if that is even possible, and is not spinning inside the stay...

cdaly_

As I understand it, these eyelets can be removed and replaced. You'd need to find the right bike shop to do this kind of job though.

Seaneh

cdaly_ wrote: »

As I understand it, these eyelets can be removed and replaced. You'd need to find the right bike shop to do this kind of job though.

Just phoned Buckleys in Athlone and Pat reckons its might be fixable. Going to bring the bike over there on Monday.