SPD cleats and bolts not tightening

[samsbike]

On my spd boots I cannot tighten the bolts, as they simply turn. These are waterproof boots so cannot access anything from inside the shoe.

Is there anyway I can rethread them, or use a slighly bigger bolt? I did try several bolts in case the bolts was messed up.

thanks

[Brucey]

I would suggest that you consult the manufacturer/instructions re. accessing the threaded plate inside the boot; most SPD shoes are designed to that you can acess the plate and then the shoe can be made waterproof again by sticking the inside down again.

It might help if you say what shoes you have exactly.

If you wish to rethread, a 7/32" thread might do or perhaps a BA size. But it will be a PITA to do and if you buy the tap etc expensive to, er, boot...

cheers

[samsbike]

Hi the boots are specialized defrosters

[Brucey]

some info here including a suggestion re using the other set of holes in the shoe plates

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/spd-screw-holes

hth

cheers

[samsbike]

some info here including a suggestion re using the other set of holes in the shoe plates

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/spd-screw-holes

hth

cheers

Cheers Brucey, I think that may well be the only option. Will call Evans tomorrow and see what they say.

[Big T]

A friend had a similar problem and contacted a football boot repairer who managed to fit a new thread in the sole.

[andrewjoseph]

Are these replacement screws that you can't get out, or can't get in?

If the 'nut' has dropped away from the inner sole then the screws can't reach the thread. Try taking out any removable sole and holding the nut into the recess with one hand whilst inserting the screws with the other.

[samsbike]

Are these replacement screws that you can't get out, or can't get in?

If the 'nut' has dropped away from the inner sole then the screws can't reach the thread. Try taking out any removable sole and holding the nut into the recess with one hand whilst inserting the screws with the other.

The screws go in, they grip for a bit but dont tighten. I was cleaning and regreasing them for winter and one of them did the above.

[andrewjoseph]

Are these replacement screws that you can't get out, or can't get in?

If the 'nut' has dropped away from the inner sole then the screws can't reach the thread. Try taking out any removable sole and holding the nut into the recess with one hand whilst inserting the screws with the other.

The screws go in, they grip for a bit but dont tighten. I was cleaning and regreasing them for winter and one of them did the above.

Probably need to replace the nut then. This will mean cutting the lining for access. Depending on your preceded cleat position, using the other set of holes may not be an option.

It occurs to me that you may be able to rotate the nut in the shoe without cutting the lining. My spesh winter boots have a goretex lining that, I think, would allow the nut to drop far enough that you could manipulate the nut and rotate it in the gap between sole and lining.

I hope you can understand what I mean.

Another thing that occurs to me, are these new bolts? Have you tried longer bolts?

[Brucey]

it may be that the bolt or the nut had badly-made or damaged threads to start with. However failing that the most common cause of stripping such threads is simple overtightening. If you don't have a good feel for how to tighten screws, it might be a good idea to get hold of a torque wrench, and get in the habit of using it.

Might it be possible to to use the second set of holes in the nut plate? How does that look?

cheers

[samsbike]

it may be that the bolt or the nut had badly-made or damaged threads to start with. However failing that the most common cause of stripping such threads is simple overtightening. If you don't have a good feel for how to tighten screws, it might be a good idea to get hold of a torque wrench, and get in the habit of using it.

Might it be possible to to use the second set of holes in the nut plate? How does that look?

cheers

Hi Brucey, it maybe overtighening but none of my other shoes have had issues (3 other pairs at various times) and have been loosed and tightened a lot more. I do have a torque wrench so if they do exchange them will use it. I also used grease which may not have helped, but again not an issue on the other shoes.

[samsbike]

Big up to Evans, who have agreed to let me have a replacement set