Footstrap inserts rotating - Help needed!

[dave1986]

I'm looking for help to remove/ replace my very old footstraps from my board.

When I try to unscrew the footstrap screws from my board the screw head rotates, but the screw doesn't come out.
I'm 99% sure that the screw is ceased into the board screw insert, and the screw inserts are rotating inside the board.

Any ideas as to how to remove them without damaging the board would be appreciated!

[foam-n-fibre]

If they are rotating then you are going to have to do a repair anyway. Or, are we talking about a twin tip with thin metal inserts or a surfboard with deeper plastic inserts?

Peter

[dave1986]

If they are rotating then you are going to have to do a repair anyway. Or, are we talking about a twin tip with thin metal inserts or a surfboard with deeper plastic inserts?

Peter

The board is an old Naish twintip, which I assume has thin metal inserts. The inserts are holding up fine and doesn't affect the use of the board. If the footstraps weren't so old and worn then I wouldnt have an issue.

[BillyGoatGruff]

take it to a decent Cycle shop, they can screw an "easy out screw extractor" into the bolt and remove it (assuming the insert is not moving). If it's the insert thats moving then the board is knackered and not worth repairing, although you can reset new inserts using epoxy, but it's probably not worth it on an old board.

[dave1986]

take it to a decent Cycle shop, they can screw an "easy out screw extractor" into the bolt and remove it (assuming the insert is not moving). If it's the insert thats moving then the board is knackered and not worth repairing, although you can reset new inserts using epoxy, but it's probably not worth it on an old board.

I'm 99% sure it's the insert that's moving.

[SWO_kite]

take it to a decent Cycle shop, they can screw an "easy out screw extractor" into the bolt and remove it (assuming the insert is not moving). If it's the insert thats moving then the board is knackered and not worth repairing, although you can reset new inserts using epoxy, but it's probably not worth it on an old board.

I wouldn't explicitly say the board "isn't worth repairing" - This could be a great opportunity for the OP to gain some experience repairing a board for the first time.

I would argue, there's lots of lessons to be learned by taking on this little project. Materials should be relatively cheap to acquire and there's lots of resources on how to use epoxy. Furthermore, the age of the board means there's less to lose if the repair doesn't go as planned.

I say, try the repair! Worst case scenario - the repair doesn't hold and you are forced to buy a new board. Best case, you do a decent job at the repair, save some money and enjoy that board a little longer - with the added benefit that you now know a new skill.

What have you got to lose?

[SWO_kite]

I suppose I could also offer some tips to get started...

If the insert is already loose, it should probably slip out of the board as you remove the foot strap.

However, if the base of the insert is flared it might take some extra effort to get it out. In this case, you can use a dremel or a grinder to cut the head of screw off so you can remove the foot strap. Once you can see the insert you might have a better idea of what you're working with.

Gently opening up the hole will be the only way to get the insert out. You could try using a small diameter drill bit to remove board material around the outside of the insert until there is enough clearance to get the insert out.

Once it's out, record the depth and internal threads so that you can buy a matching insert.

Using epoxy to reinstall a new insert should be pretty straight forward. With a larger opening it might get a little challenging, but I still think it's possible. Do your homework and come back here if you have more specific questions.

[unclebill]

Before doing anything drastic I would try this. Give the screws a soak with penetrating oil, liquid wrench, blaster, anyone of them really. Leave it for a few hours. Then you need to try stop the insert from spinning. Get under the strap close to the bolt and insert with a small pry bar or flat screwdriver with something under it like a pencil and lever hard upward to get some friction inside around the insert to stop it spinning. Try turning the bolt out.

[SWO_kite]

Before doing anything drastic I would try this. Give the screws a soak with penetrating oil, liquid wrench, blaster, anyone of them really. Leave it for a few hours. Then you need to try stop the insert from spinning. Get under the strap close to the bolt and insert with a small pry bar or flat screwdriver with something under it like a pencil and lever hard upward to get some friction inside around the insert to stop it spinning. Try turning the bolt out.

I feel that because the insert is already loose, it will certainly need to be reinstalled.

I'll agree that if the original insert can be salvaged in this way, it's worth trying. But it would be easier to attempt this AFTER it has been removed from the board.

[unclebill]

Any ideas as to how to remove them without damaging the board would be appreciated!