PLEASE HELP!! Bungee replacement

[tridacna]

OK. What is the BEST way to remove the existing nylon straps? (I'm replacing with bungees). I did this five years ago on my first pair and nearly ripped my nails off. This has to be the most frustrating thing I know. I love the FF but this is impossible. Please help...

 

[meesier42]

already been asked and answered
ff-bungee-adjustment

look at Blair's post, he even made a video about it. If you are replacing the strap altogether, when you buy a bungie kit it includes new marine brass nuts to replace the ones that you have.
They can get stuck over the years. Just take a pair of wire cutters to bend and get a hold of the nut while you screw the strap off. Use a drop of loc-tite on the new screw so that it doesn't back out over time

Enjoy them, bungies have got to be one of the nicest addons that you can do to a already great fin

 

[Blair Mott]

Hope this helps!

YouTube - How to change your heel straps on Force Fins
Please let me know if you still need assistance.

 

[tridacna]

Hope this helps!

YouTube - How to change your heel straps on Force Fins
Please let me know if you still need assistance.

That took 10 minutes to do. No problems whatsoever!

Thanks a lot.

 

[lemon lime]

I cannot do this. I've watched the video five times, my hands hurt, there are brass shavings everywhere and I can't tell you how many times the hex wrench has fallen to the floor just as I've adjusted the vice grip. What am I doing wrong? Is it the loctite seal? It seems that no amount of tapping can loosen it.

I'm kind of going mad.

 

[Bob Evans]

I go crazy changing out the straps and can understand your going mad. The straps are meant to stay on and that locktight does a good job. Sounds like your almost done if the brass insert are going. Keep me posted.

 

[ApexLongimanus]

the video is good but it did not work for me this way.

i used a flat screwdriver and bent the inner latch of the brass holding until it broke. then i was able to remove remaining part by just pulling it out.

since the bungees come with all new fastening material i couldn't care less braking the old one.

 

[meesier42]

also you can try a pair of wire cutters, it will make it easier to bend the button of the brass up and grab it better than vice grips.

 

[lemon lime]

Thanks for the advice. I'd contemplated prying off the brass bushings but was afraid of damaging the fin. I'm also really tempted to just cut off the nylon straps so there would be space to push the brass out. Right now I'm just having a little break before going at it again. Will update later.

 

[tridacna]

Thanks for the advice. I'd contemplated prying off the brass bushings but was afraid of damaging the fin. I'm also really tempted to just cut off the nylon straps so there would be space to push the brass out. Right now I'm just having a little break before going at it again. Will update later.

LL, the key is the vice grips. And some patience. Do not be afraid to apply pressure on the bushing. Once you clamp down real tight on both surfaces, it unwinds real easy. This is the key action. It's the tension of the clamp and the angular placement. I had to step back and think about the mechanics of the operation and then it clicked. I've now done this to two pairs of force fins; the second took less than FIVE minutes. And yes, the results are worth every ounce of frustration.