Pannier rack problems: any thoughts?

jswba
jswba Posts: 491
edited November 2007 in Workshop
I had to remove my rear pannier rack the other day and found (to my dismay!) that its arms weren't aligned properly. :roll: This resulted in the nuts breaking the thread on the eyes on my frame, so now the nuts won't attach the rack! :cry: I was thinking about two possibilities: searching high and low for longer nuts (with the potential for the entire thread being wrecked) or dig out the araldyte (with obvious consequences).

Has anybody had a similar problem? Any thoughts?

Comments

  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    You could use longer bolts so that they pass through the eyes with enough on the other side to secure with a nut. I have done this on a frame where the rack eye threads were stripped. It even worked on the cassette side as with a bolt of the right length there was still clearance for the chain when on the smallest cog. For nuts and bolts of all sizes Stagonset are good.
  • jswba
    jswba Posts: 491
    Thanks, alfa. The only problem is that the eyes don't pass through the entire frame and I'm not sure I want to drill through! I'll have a look at ordering some longer nuts though -- looks like a more sensible solution than superglue....
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Ah, are they threaded bosses in the hollow part of the stays? If the frame is steel you could have new bosses fitted, perhaps.

    You could try plumbers PTFE tape around the bolt threads, or threadlock (possibly more durable than superglue, which dries brittle).

    Another (less favourable) alternative would be to use P-Clips - Stagonset do good quality ones in a variety of sizes.

    Or use the Tubus Seat Stay Clips

    tubusclips.jpg

    or for the lower fitting, Tubus Axle Mount fittings

    axleadaptorL.jpg

    (I currently use both of the above as my commuter doesn't have bosses, it makes for a very secure setup).
  • jswba
    jswba Posts: 491
    Just realised that I forgot to mention that they're the threaded bosses. :oops: I'll have a go with the PTFE tape and if that fails, the seat stays.

    Thanks, alfa. You are a star!
  • hamstercp
    hamstercp Posts: 639
    You can repair the threads - you need what is called a Helicoil insert.

    Good framebuilders or even bike shops can do this easily.
    "It must be true, I saw it on the Internet!"
  • pieinthesky
    pieinthesky Posts: 417
    If there is enough material on the boss you could drill and tap it with an M6 thread. It will almost certainly be M5 at the moment.

    Dont attempt this if you are not sure what you are doing!
  • jswba
    jswba Posts: 491
    I'm leaving the drill well alone! :wink::wink:

    But thanks for the tip -- maybe in a few years...

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