Distel bottom straps replacement

[TreeAbility]

Think you’re on about the ones at the top? Ankle straps just on a big ring I think?

Nope, was def bottom ones. Velcro not buckle. Also added Edelrid foot ascender under the gaff bolts!

[stewmo]

Nope, was def bottom ones. Velcro not buckle. Also added Edelrid foot ascender under the gaff bolts!

Ah interesting! How is that ascender?

Cheers!

[stewmo]

On 27/10/2021 at 12:30, TreeAbility said:

Just replaced mine a couple of weeks back. Got proper Distel ones from FR Jones. Need a big torx driver for the bolts.

How did you get the screws out?

 

I have now bought some velcro straps to change out my old knackered leather straps and in my naivety thought this would be a simple process ho ho!

 

The gaff screws need to be removed to put the velcro straps on and they must have loctite or something on there because they will not budge. Anyone else had a crack at this and can offer some experience? Wondering if there is a way to break or dissolve the loctite or maybe use a rattle gun? Or?!

 

I could just forget about it and get some new leather but they are hard to come by at the moment 

[Mark Bolam]

Prep is key.

 

Clean out the hex head completely, then use brute force with exactly the right size allen key or driver.

Using a vice will help.

[Joe Newton]

I used a dugga dugga to rattle them out. They did put up a fight though and I sheared a torx bit in the process. 

[Dan Maynard]

Is the bar aluminium? It may be worth gentle warming with hot air gun, even 50C will make a difference because the aluminium expands faster than steel bolt. Give it a dose of WD while it's hot too, soaks in faster.

[stewmo]

Success! Local fabricator had a 1/2” drive for extra muscle.

[carllo]

Could make your own

[Ian C]

I used a dugga dugga to rattle them out. They did put up a fight though and I sheared a torx bit in the process. 

That’s because yours cave man!

Put them in a vice clean out the torx head and use the right torx bit like mark had mentioned and they do come out, the Velcro straps are a different level and so much more comfortable that the straps.

[Mr. Squirrel]

Apologies for not replying, missed it. Sounds like you’re sorted anyway!

I had a similar issue with the bolt on brand new distels, I sheared a torq head and thought drilling and tapping it might be an option. A ended up ruining a brand new gaff and didn’t want to buy a pair so asked them if I could buy an individual.
They had a new gaff and replacement bolts to me within a week no charge. Really nice folks. Distel4lyf.