Loose LS2 steel

[ktang 34]

I have LS2 holders and steel on 8090s, and the steel moves up-and-down about 1mm on the toe end. I searched some similar topics on this board, which recommend re-inserting the steel. But, some of these topics talk about LS Power steel on One90s, and some recommend putting tape on the toe-end "fin" of the steel.

Do LS2 holders and steel need the additional tape?

If so, where on the toe-end "fin" is it applied, and is there any danger of the tape getting loose inside the holder?

If not, is there a proper way to re-insert the steel so that it stops moving around? Or do I have to learn to skate more smoothly (it definitely didn't click or wiggle around when I first got the skates)?

The steel's clicking and wiggling bug me... Thanks in advance.

[eltonno172 0]

i have got EXACTLY the same problem with my holders/runners, is there probably someone who could help us?

[KYHockey3 0]

i had this problem on one pair of v-12s and the steel just wouldnt stay in. i eventually took the holder off.

now, on my current pair of v-12's, the steel is loose, so i just put a peice of tape through the holder and the perforation, holding it tightly together to assure that the steel wont fall out!

i use clear shin tape btw.

[hockeyplaya97 0]

i dont know if this problem relates to this topic but my skates squeak when i walk around on them and i have tried tightening the screw things on the side of the steel but it still squeaks. any suggestions?

[All Torhs Team 0]

I have the same problem with the ls2 steel on my bauer 6000's.

Instead of trying to fix it for the 2430986 time, Im just getting new skates and never buying bauer skates again.

[Fivehole101 0]

I have the same problem with the ls2 steel on my bauer 6000's.

Instead of trying to fix it for the 2430986 time, Im just getting new skates and never buying bauer skates again.

Now thats not the right attitude. You shouldn't stop looking at nbh skates just because you had one pair that had a little problem. Look at pros, most of them use nbh skates. If they had so many problems, then why do so many people use them?

Just take yous skates to a lhs and see what they can do.

[Jake 0]

I hear a clicking when I walk on my LS2's, but don't notice any movement when I actually try to jiggle the blade. Are mine loose?

[KYHockey3 0]

I hear a clicking when I walk on my LS2's, but don't notice any movement when I actually try to jiggle the blade. Are mine loose?

yes..probably

mine do the exact same

[jimmy 194]

I have the same problem with the ls2 steel on my bauer 6000's.

Instead of trying to fix it for the 2430986 time, Im just getting new skates and never buying bauer skates again.

Now thats not the right attitude. You shouldn't stop looking at nbh skates just because you had one pair that had a little problem. Look at pros, most of them use nbh skates. If they had so many problems, then why do so many people use them?

Just take yous skates to a lhs and see what they can do.

Quality control is a big factor on why people steer away from certain brands or models. Some brands have endless problems with their steel and holders, and after some point people get frustrated with broken runners, sloppy fitting holders, mismounted holders, rusting hardware, etc. It is perfectly acceptable for a consumer to choose to switch brands when they are not happy.

Also, you can't always go by what the pros use, they have equipment managers to cater to every wish, every loose rivet, every click, every broken blade. A pro doesn't miss a game because his runner broke. You will though. That's the big difference.

[mackallica 0]

ktang, you tried tightening the blade? If you took it to an LHS all they would probably do is tighten the blade. Common sense would to just tighten it, but maybe I'm missing something.

And Jake, clicking when walking usually does mean you have a loose blade.

[wonderenzo 0]

try tightening it, a lot of times it the bolt rusts and cant be tighten anymore. at that point the ls2 has to be ripped off the boot for the bolt to be replaced. have done it a couple of times and its a real pain in the ass.

[ktang 34]

I have brought it to the LHS to be re-tightened, but it still clicks.

Then, just this week, I heard a rattling sound and I realized that the bolt had come off. I took the blade off, reseated it, and put the bolt back on (the 8090s have pre-drilled access holes).

It was difficult because I had to hold the skate upside-down while balancing the bolt on the end of an Allen key.

It still clicks, though, after tightening. I tried realigning the blade and the bolt angle, but I can't get rid of the clicking.

So, when I have time, I will try putting some tape on the front fin.

[mackallica 0]

If the blade is tight then I guess you've solved the problem. If this mystery click isn't affecting performance, I would fret about it too much.

[hockey315 0]

The "hook" on the new LS2's isn't deep enough to sit correctly in the LS holder. You can have your LHS grind out a bit of the "hook" so it can fit down deeper into the holder. This will correct the problem.

[ktang 34]

Well, the steel is just about used up for this season so I will play around with grinding down the front "hook" / "fin" when I get new blades. I will be less finicky and live with the clicking until then.

And, I realize I should have taped the loose bolt to the allen key before trying to put it on. I was panicking a little at the time because I had to go ref a game. I will definitely blue-loctite the threads when I get the time to fix it properly.

Thanks for all the replies and ideas.

[ktang 34]

I finally took the time to figure out what was causing the clicking on my steel.

Each blade's upper surface was less curved than the blade holder's lower surface where they touch, so they were actually rocking back and forth between the front fin / hook and the back bolt as I was striding. I used baby powder to determine where the contact points were.

On my right blade, there were two contact points, and on my left blade, there was one.

So I gave the blades' upper surfaces a few light passes with a file at the contact points, reassembled everything, and there is now no more clicking!

I used to play with a guy who has Graf skates, and he also had clicking steel. I think the Cobra runners have two fins / hooks. I wonder if slight differences in the blade and holder curves could be causing that?