[MotoXmg]

Hi, Can someone help??? I have an older set of RaceFace 5-arm cranks which I recently purchased with my 2001 Secialized P3. I bought the bike with a 34t chainring up front with a Truvativ chain tensioner. I thought this would work for the area I ride, but decided to add a front derailer, a 24t chainring, and a RF bash. The problem is.......I went to my local shop for advice, they gave me some aluminum spacers to space the smaller ring away from cranks, in addition to some 15-16mm bolts. The bolts only threaded 1/4-1/2 way through the cranks. I mistakenly thought that would be OK, but 2 rides later, I blew out 3 of the bolts. SO NOW WHAT???? Anybody no if longer bolts are available (like 20mm) or an alternative to the situation?? PLEASE HELP!!

 

[Repack]

Sound like the cranks could be junk. Longer bolts are available. You may need to heli-coil the blown threads. QBP has a whole table of different length bolts. How long are the spacers they gave you? I was foing some quick math in my head and 16mm bolts seem way too short.

 

[MotoXmg]

thanks Repack......the spacers the shop gave me were 8mm, the bolts were 16mm overall, actual thread length is 14mm, so I believe only 5mm were in the crank......hope they're not toast, I just bought the bike!! How do you helicoil the threads? AND....is there longer bolts available??? THREE reputable shops (or so I thought) in my town, said that 16mm was the longest....so I plan on contacting RaceFace tomorrow to see if they can help. Thanks again, Mike

 

[Repack]

Originally posted by MotoXmg
thanks Repack......the spacers the shop gave me were 8mm, the bolts were 16mm overall, actual thread length is 14mm, so I believe only 5mm were in the crank......hope they're not toast, I just bought the bike!! How do you helicoil the threads? AND....is there longer bolts available??? THREE reputable shops (or so I thought) in my town, said that 16mm was the longest....so I plan on contacting RaceFace tomorrow to see if they can help. Thanks again, Mike

8mm sounds about right for the spacers. I have RF cranks w/ spacers and will try to remember to meassure them. I was thinking (about the spacer) 3mm to clear the mid ring, then ~5mm for the space, then the 3mm for the small ring, and then the thickness of the spider arm. Going by those numbers, you are already up to 11mm. The spider arm is a lot thicker than 5mm. Hence me thinking something is wrong. Could even be that the spacers are too wide. I need to look at my cranks.
To heli-coil, a shop will likely need to do it. The tools can be fairly pricey, especially since they likely have a non-standard thread pitch. To heli-coil something, you drill it out to the bext size up, then thread the new hole. Then you use a Loctite thread locking compound to thread in a piece that is threaded inside and out. This gives you a new set of threads to work with. Unfortunately though, many bike thread pitches are "cycling specific", so you likely won't be able to buy the parts at Sears.

 

[MotoXmg]

Thanks Again, Repack........I'll wait for your reply.....I'm gonna talk to RaceFace today, cuz I notice their Turbine cranks have built in spacers.......with threads all the way in......is that cuz they had the problem I did with others?? I'll find out, maybe I can get a warranty replacment? Mike

 

[Repack]

I just checked my RF Turbine LP's. 16mm bolts, 8mm spacers. Could you have put a ring in backwards? Many are built thick but have recessed points for a bolt head to sit.

 

[MotoXmg]

Repack, the 24t chainring i have does not have a recess on either side, kinda wish it would have.......talked to RaceFace today, they didnt have much to offer, other than suggesting runnin it through my local dealer, then might be able to warranty. They recommended even a thicker spacer yet, 12mm.........which leaves you nothing, so think the whole deal is a joke. Guess that is why all the new Turbine cranks have a threaded shaft/spacer cast into the body.......think they had some problems??????? Hmmmmmmm? Thanks for your input.......might need new cranks? Any deals? HAHA, Mike

 

[Repack]

Sorry to hear. My 22T is just flat stamped steel. Steel rings tend not to have any recesses. Any way you could post some pictures?

 

[MotoXmg]

HERE IS A PIC REPACK.....(OR OTHERS INTERESTED)...MIKE

 

[MotoXmg]

AND ONE MORE FOR YA.......THANKS

 

[MotoXmg]

AND LAST ON......MIKE

 

[Repack]

Don't know what to say. Looks like everything is the correct length, but hard to tell. Did you messure all the parts? Did you install all of the stuff? If everything lines up, the only thing that I can think of is that the bolts were not tightened down all the way and then they backed out and stripped the crank. Or maybe WAY overtightened. Sorry.

 

[MotoXmg]

Yeah......I'm at a loss too!! The bolts were tightened as per RaceFace specs with blue Loc-tite and were ridden one time at Post Canyon, then I rechecked and went for a second ride the day after, and on my trip up the hill 3 of 5 blew out.

 

[Repack]

I had a pair of the old RF DH's that suffered from a soft aluminum problem. Maybe they forgot to harden them? They gave me a new set of cranks so I dodn't ask too many questions. From day 1, they would not stay tight. I used a torque wrench to put them on. I clip (not slammed) one rock my first time out and it was enough to ovalizes one of the square openings (sq taper cranks). The other mushroomed on its own. I ended up bending them in no time. I sent them back ~a few weeks after I got them. I didn't know what they would do. I was expecting at least a crash replacement deal, but they gave them a full warranty. They were very cool to deal with. I would try calling them and TELLING THE TRUTH. One of the people I spoke with there said that they are always more willing to help the guy who calls and tells them exactly what happened vs. the idiot who claims "JRA".

Maybe your problem is similar to mine?

 

[MotoXmg]

YEAH....Got 'em sent in to RaceFace, should here back in a week or so....lets keep our fingers crossed......thanks for your input and help Repack. Mike

 

[MotoXmg]

BEWARE!! ....... RaceFace warranty is not really "lifetime" and stay away from the old style of cranks without the built in spacers.