Tool for tightening ls2 steel.

[Jamie_tnt 6]

My steel has came loose a couple of times and rather than get a shop to tighten I'd like to do it myself.

I gather that it an 8mm socket, but what shape is needed? Hex or star?

[laserrobottime 149]

8MM deep socket hex.

[Jamie_tnt 6]

Thanks bud

[giogolf 9]

Make sure you have a socket extension, and the socket is secure... you don't want to drop the socket in the hole... you will be shaking it out for 15min :)

[Jason 65]

Bauer does sell the articulating socket for the LS2.

[coryroth24 15]

Make sure you have a socket extension, and the socket is secure... you don't want to drop the socket in the hole... you will be shaking it out for 15min :)

Yea, learned that one the hard way...

[bigdmac 12]

Turn the skate upside down and do it over your head. That way if it does happen to fall out it'll fall straight out through the hole, or land right beside it and it's no problem to just pop it out. For some reason I just never liked the Bauer tool so I always use just the regular socket.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

I have the original Canstar one - where the socket is riveted to the wrench. The new ones have bits and can end up inside the holder.

[Goonsquad 209]

8MM deep socket hex.

With an extension. I usually wrap the joint between socket and extension with a piece of masking tape just in case.

Yea, learned that one the hard way...

If you have one of those magnetic probes to lift screws out of an engine compartment, the socket will be easier to get out

[Chadd 916]

http://wingstuff.com/products/4052-t-handle-deep-well-sockets?sitesync=done

[jere26 5]

Deep socket 8mm nut driver with a long handle. Cheap and no bit to fall off. Easy to grasp and manipulate with skate upside-down.

http://amzn.com/B000T9W6KY

[Davetronz 109]

My steel has came loose a couple of times and rather than get a shop to tighten I'd like to do it myself. I gather that it an 8mm socket, but what shape is needed? Hex or star?

Be sure that you aren't over-tightening the nut.

Also, if it keeps coming loose this may be a sign of a larger problem with your holder, the steel, or the hardware itself that might require replacement.

[Jamie_tnt 6]

Be sure that you aren't over-tightening the nut.

Also, if it keeps coming loose this may be a sign of a larger problem with your holder, the steel, or the hardware itself that might require replacement.

Is there anything in particular I should look out for?

I'm thinking if it seems fine, that locktite may solve the problem.

[Jamie_tnt 6]

I've took it apart and everything looks fine, when tightening it back up, do I keep turning until it stops? I have turned good bit and it's still turnable, but I don't want to over tighten it so how do you know when to stop?

[Chadd 916]

You want it snug but don't go crazy.

[Jamie_tnt 6]

Yeah I have tightened it a bit, but it's at a point where it seems to just turn on the spot, it's snug but not not tight.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Deep socket 8mm nut driver with a long handle. Cheap and no bit to fall off. Easy to grasp and manipulate with skate upside-down.

http://amzn.com/B000T9W6KY

The only drawback to that is that sometimes the hole isn't a straight shot down; you would have to expand the hole with a big drill bit. That's why the hinged ones work better in that aspect.

[jere26 5]

The only drawback to that is that sometimes the hole isn't a straight shot down; you would have to expand the hole with a big drill bit. That's why the hinged ones work better in that aspect.

Very good point. It's straight down on an LS2 288 holder on a Vapor APX, so a fixed bit driver is perfect for that size. Anyone contemplating swapping their own Bauer steel should take a peek down the hole to see if they need the hinged tool.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Don't get me wrong, yours will still work. The hinged one was more suited for Custom+ due to the front bolt, but sometimes you run into LS2 ones where the hole isn't directly over it. Expansion of it helps in that regard.

[SirJW 207]

How do you get a rusted bolt to loosen? I've tried a few things and nothing will work.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Try heat gun down the hole. The middle of the bolt is plastic.

If you can get the whole thing to turn, make it a half-turn and drop the runner, then use needle-nose pliers to hold the bulb of the bolt. You'll know it has turned when the holder bows out at the bottom. Try not to spin it too much as it may stretch the hole in the holder.

[Jamie_tnt 6]

The only drawback to that is that sometimes the hole isn't a straight shot down; you would have to expand the hole with a big drill bit. That's why the hinged ones work better in that aspect.

In your experience does the nut get tight? Or do you just turn it a couple of times and leave it?

I would say mine is tight, but it has reached a point where it is turning but not tightening any more if you know what I mean.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

I'm confused as to your question.

[Jamie_tnt 6]

I'm confused as to your question.

Ok if you tighten the cap on a bottle of juice, it will tighten and stop turning.

When tightening the nut on my skates, this doesn't happen, the nut reaches a point where it feels secure, but continues to turn. Is this normal?

It is like this on both of my skates, and another pair.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Disassemble completely and do it by hand - if the nut continues to turn, the plastic washer inside the nut is gone and it won't lock.

If it does lock, then you may have overtightened in the holder and it has nothing to hold on to. You might want to consider putting a metal washer on the inside of the holder (harder to do when it's assembled to skate)