Cracks in Reebok Helmet at Cage Screws

[mhkehoe 1]

Are cracks in the shell at the cage screws on the Reebok helmets a common problem? I did a search regarding this, and I did find one review of the 8K that mentions having cracks after a few years of usage.

I bring this up because I noticed a team mate had cracks in this location, and when I checked my own lid, I noticed the same cracks forming (I've owned mine for around a year at this point). I can't tell if this is due to over tightening the screw or maybe an impact to the cage.

I am not sold on buying a new lid just yet. I really like the fit of this 6K, so I may just re-purchase Reebok if this isn't as common as it appears.

[Tikkanen 1]

That's exactly where mine cracked but i had a visor. I switched to a M11, haven't had any issues yet.

[hellkitty 0]

I just got a new helmet and i noticed that i had some big cracks on my old 8k.

[doublemajor 0]

I had the same problem with my 8K I just ended up drilling new holes a bit further away from where it was cracking. I also have a 6K but its not doing the same. Also how tight do you have the screws.

[mhkehoe 1]

Hard to say exactly (not using a torque wrench), but I will turn it until it feels tight and won't turn itself back out. It could be too tight, but I am cranking on it once it stops moving. I have used the Philips head on the Sonic Skate tool to tightened it, and its shape might let me tightened it more than I would normally do.

[Scotty 8]

Most of my helmets have eventually done that. In fact, it's that thought that makes me think I need to buy a new helmet to replace my old Nike 4500.

[Chadd 916]

I have similar cracks in the side of my CCM V08, but mine are from cranking down on the screws to hold the visor in place. In fact, the spacers are cracked too. I really need to swap them out before my next game.

[hellkitty 0]

I never touched it after putting on the cage so i'm wondering if its from getting hit all the time.

[interpathway 9]

Don't tighten the screws down so hard. Use blue loc-tite, tighten to snug, back off a quarter turn. Won't loosen, won't damage helmet.

[mhkehoe 1]

The helmet fits perfectly and I love the ventilation on it, so I am inclined not to replace it yet. If they continue to grow, I may be forced to replace it, but the underlying foam is still intact and the location of the cracks don't seem to compromise the safety too much.

Maybe I am trying to justify not spending the money, but I do love spending money on hockey gear.