Twisted Leading Edge

[mitchell898]

I bought a 2019 Fx in the spring and haven't been able to ride it with this pull. I don't notice it much flying on the beach but I have to compensate a ton as soon as I start riding.

My lines are tuned and equal (and my other kites don't pull) and I've replaced the bridles. I've talked to repair guys and it seems like the only thing left is a twisted leading edge. Whether it's a manufacturing flaw or the bladder is twisted inside I don't know. There's no visible twist or difference in the wing tips. I reached out to cabrinha multiple times and never got a response.

I know another guy whose fx developed a pull and it seems to be the same problem.

Has anyone else experienced this?

[mitchell898]

Has anyone dealt with a twisted bladder/LE? This kite is useless as is so any ideas are welcome.

[ELI]

It can happen just with rooling and packing kite up. Pull it out ck. and reinstall .

[ELI]

I meant rolling ...maybe drooling

[mitchell898]

It can happen just with rooling and packing kite up. Pull it out ck. and reinstall .

Thanks, will do. Any tips on re installing even/straight?

[ELI]

Multi fold it flat for when you pull it back to the tip. There are good videos out there. MUCH easier with someone to help feed it through .I use 2 -5 lb/ 1-2 kilo weight plates to to keep kite in place .

[ELI]

Multi fold it accordian like flat for when you pull it back to the tip. There are good videos out there. MUCH easier with someone to help feed it through .I use 2 -5 lb/ 1-2 kilo weight plates to to keep kite in place .

[SMJ]

[GregK]

After determining you have a slow leak in a LE bladder, before removing the bladder from the kite, pump it up again to full pressure and coat the LE, valves, and hoses with a mixture of of about 1:10 parts liquid soap and water. Then look for bubbles.

Bubbles at a 1-pump hose likely means you have a small crack or tear in that hose, or possibly a loose connection between hose and valve.

Bubbles around a valve indicate either a crack in the valve or possible delamination of the valve from the bladder film.

Air leaking from a pinhole in the bladder often won't come through the LE Dacron fabric right at the bladder pinhole's location, but instead the air will leak out at the fabric stitching holes nearest the bladder leak.

Doing this "screening leak location test" will focus your search for the exact location of the pinhole and greatly reduce the amount time spent finding the leak(s).

[JakeFarley]

I've taped a piece of cardboard to the bladder tip so that when pulling it in it does not twist. About the size of a playing card works. Also, Before you pull the bladder back in the LE, powder it with baby powder or cornstarch. Helps it to seat itself when inflated. Then inflate to 75% and check for twists, then to 100%.