Question Aqualung Helix Pro - Front Cover Removal

[ADMB]

Hi DIYers,

I'm looking to replace the front cover on my Aqualung Helix Pro. I searched high and low for an answer to this but I can't seem to figure out how to get the front cover off but all my attempts have created more dings. I've tried to soak the second stage in warm water, used grip pads, and a lug spanner to twist it off (the pins slip every time). I'm fairly convinced the front cover is glued to the body of the regulator even though the schematic shows it as a separate piece. Has anyone had success with removing the front cover? If so, please share your tips.


TIA!

 

[Jens Bölte]

Hello

try to get a thin silicon cloth.

Best wishes Jens

 

[steinbil]

Credit to @rsingler for these hacks...

Get a pair of bent needle nose pliers with a wide opening, so you can open them far enough to fit openings/holes in the faceplate on opposite side.

Or use an old wire coat hanger (I often get them from dry cleaners), and bend it into the shape you need, so you can have two thin loops that can enter any openings/recesses in the faceplate, optimally on opposite sides of a diagonal, to give you leverage.

Here's one I made for my Apeks regs.

 

[rsingler]

Thanks, @steinbil !
For those who look at his and my janky coathanger hack, thinking "it's too spindly to unscrew a frozen faceplate" (not to mention ugly) here are two fine points.
1) it's meant to be clamped in a vise with just the right amount of loop showing to engage your faceplate; you then unscrew the body, and the faceplate is held in position;
2) the funky electrical tape is there for a reason. With just a few wraps, you can slide the two separate coathanger loops together or apart, so it works for most any reg; or, you can add wraps to hold it at one distance as @steinbil has done for the one model he needs it for...

 

[ADMB]

Thank you for your input, @Jens Bölte, @steinbil , @rsingler! I have already tried the silicone cloth but didn't have any luck with it. I will give the coat hanger trick a shot!

 

[rsingler]

Here's the official instruction. I can't tell if you're Helix, Helix Compact or Helix Compact Pro.
Both the Helix Compact Pro (which doesn't look quite like your reg) and the Compact both come off with a face spanner. So the coat hanger trick should work just fine.

But there's also a Diaphragm Retaining Ring that uses the same technique.

The best tool is Scubatools Custom Face Spanner with long pins, but the 0.066" pins do bend easily.

Face Spanner, replaceable pins

Adjustable Face SpannersFace spanners can be used for a variety of different repair bench operations. The most common application is to remove and install first stage caps that have two or more perimeter holes. They can also be used for removing second stage covers where no special tool is...

scubatools.com

But the flip side of the Aqualung Tool is the same as the Large Adjustable Face Spanner

Face Spanner, Large

Adjustable Face SpannersFace spanners can be used for a variety of different repair bench operations. The most common application is to remove and install first stage caps that have two or more perimeter holes. They can also be used for removing second stage covers where no special tool is...

www.scubatools.com

and is needed for the Helix Pro first stage environmental seal.

 

[Still Kicking]

This one .....half price of the Scuba Tools version:

XS Spanner Wrench - Flat Surface

The XS Scuba Flat Surface Spanner Wrench can work with multiple model regulators with it's adjustable range of {0.25 in | 6.35 mm} to {2.5 in | 63.5 mm}.

www.divegearexpress.com