binding ripped / pulled out of ski.. help

[bumski]

I was super excited thursday morning after checking Baker's snow report and finding 9" of snow overnight. Called in sick, headed to the mountain, and 1 1/2 runs later my binding ripped out of my ski sending me tomahawking down the mountain.

I have Armada ARG's mounted with Salomon 916's (had REI mount the bindings on the skis for me). The back binding piece pulled out at the 2 rear screw holes. When it pulled out it broke the binding in half (just plastic & rubber) where the brake piece connects to the rest of the binding.

After inspecting the other ski I found that the binding is loose and beginning to pull out in the same place the other binding did. I only have about 10 days on the skis.

Questions:
(1) Is this common? or a defected ski or bad mounting job?
(2) Who is responsible.. REI, Armada, Salomon, me?
(3) Can the ski be repaired?
(4) If it turns out REI is responsible & the ski is repairable should i request new skis anyway (cause i don't really want damaged skis because of their f up)
(5) Should i request they give me some comprable skis to ride in the meantime, refund my sick leave, and make it snow another 9" so i can get my day back?

[peck257]

i have heard of this problem before with armadas and lines--probably either a defective ski or bad mount job i'd talk to rei first and then on to armada, i have heard armada is pretty good about warranty. i don't think it would be safe to try and fix but that evaluation would have to be made after looking at the ski. question (5) if it was me i'd raise hell!!

[stuckathuntermtn]

That's what you get for calling in sick.
I bet 9 inches over night is nice. That doesn't happen to often here.

[huckster989]

Sucks to hear that happened, I work in a shop and can tell you that it is really hard to get a shop to either replace skis or pay you for them when you did not buy them from that shop.

On the other ski are the screws loose any where else on the binding like the toe pieces?

I think I have an idea why they may have pulled out I just thought of this while typing... the ARG recommends using a 4.1mm dia bit if I remember correctly (can someone verify what it says on the ski?) But that ski has no metal in it usually the 4.1 is reserved for metal so that could be where the problem stems from. So it might be something that you could talk to armada about.

As for the meantime if you want to have them re-mounted a couple cms forward or back take them back to REI with your paperwork from the original mount so they know how long they have been used and probably just request a free re-mount and maybe a wax.

good luck

[stuckathuntermtn]

never mind, I take it back
http://www.moonlightbasin.com/site/snow-conditions.html
http://bigskyresort.com/Activities/W...Conditions.asp

[aim1photo]

I'd consider going to a real ski shop to have the work done 'stead of the lamers at REI . Also you can have a helicoil instaled to use the same mounting position .

[axebiker]

Throw 'em away. Start over.

If the binding ripped out, bummer, but if I remember right, those skis are pretty light. Two things come to mind - the tech may have used the wrong bit to mount them(4.1 instead of 3.5 if there's no metal), or they may have overtightened the screws with the clutch set a bit to strong on their screw-shooter. It happens. Probably a tech in a hurry, along with skis with a light core.

Helicoils should fix you up just fine as long as the holes aren't too ripped up. They'll probably be stronger than the original mount. I wouldn't worry to much - it's an easy fix.

And forget about stuff like this:

(5) Should i request they give me some comprable skis to ride in the meantime, refund my sick leave, and make it snow another 9" so i can get my day back?

Great idea in theory, but shit happens. They can't turn back the clock any more than you, and it may have been something you did - Hucked a cliff with a hard landing, hard forward twisting fall, etc... It's not always something defective with the ski - sometimes it's the skier. No disrespect to you -- just sayin'.

EDIT: Just checked the website. They pimp the "very lightweight core". That's always a warning sign to me - kinda like foam core.

[quebecfreestyler]

That's why I helicoil my soft light skis at the rear 2 screw as soon as I mount them.

[Doremite]

I'd have to see the damage for true recommendation, but is the binding eff'd? If the binding is ok to remount, everything will just have to be shited 1cm or so back or forward depending on preferecne. They may be able to just helicoil the existing holes but depends on how hacked they were when upon dismount. I had this happed to some S914s on Gotamas and the fall wasn't pretty. Sucks. They were able to helicoil in the existing mounting holes and held fine, but turns out the shop tech (as some suggested) drilled the heel holes with 2 large a bit and the heels were basically swimming Good luck. Take it to a trusted tech.

[Chugachjed]

If you bought any of the gear at REI they will replace it, If you just got it mounted there then they may still replace it. The return policy there is stupid awesome, as a former employee I can tell you that their emphasis is customer service they do not want you to leave unhappy. I'd bring them back to the shop and talk to the shop manager tell him his tech used the wrong drill bit ruined your skis and almost killed you.

[skiwithcharlie]

Did they drill the 5 holes on the 916 heel or only 4?

[axebiker]

If you bought any of the gear at REI they will replace it,

If they have any left - it's pretty late in the season.

I'd bring them back to the shop and talk to the shop manager tell him his tech used the wrong drill bit ruined your skis and almost killed you.

A.) Tough to prove they used the wrong bit. Good luck. B.) Kinda dramatic, don'tcha think? I see what you're saying, but I'd take a different approach - honest & forthright. It usually gets you farther. And yes, REI will take care of their customers.

[addict]

Did they drill the 5 holes on the 916 heel or only 4?

This is an important question. 4 screws = destructor.

[Wes Mantooth]

^^yeah that alone could make it REI's fault

[bumski]

UPDATE!!

Here is what is happening so far. Took the skis back to REI. REI contacted Salomon & they agreed to replace the broken metal base plates of the binding. (this was very cool... in my opinion..in no way where they responsible).

As for the skis.. REI contacted Armada & found that Armada had a misprint in mounting specs. The specs called for a 4.1mm when it was supposed to be a 3.5mm. The REI tech claimed that the Armada rep sounded like he would replace the skis with new. (the ARG's are sold out this year.. so they will be next years skis.. also very cool). I still need to contact Armada myself though. I will update everyone after i find out more.

For now i am throwing some old binders on the broken ARG's for the rest of the season and hopefully they will hold together.

So far, all in all, i have been very happy with REI, Salomon, & Armada. This is a hassle but they are all standing behind their products / customer service well.

I WAN'T TO THROW A DISCLAIMER OUT THERE FOR ANYONE WITH ARG'S (not sure if it's just ARG's or all Armada's line) TO BE AWARE OF THE BINDING MOUNTING MISPRINT. Taking a high speed tumble because your equipment failed is not fun! Please let anyone with ARG's know about this.

[axebiker]

Good on them, and good for you!

When in doubt, start with a 3.5 - if there's a bunch of metal shavings, bump it up. You can't make a hole smaller.

BTW - I'd probably use a different color than BLUE for your disclaimer...

[meter-man]

BUMP for additional query on this one.

I had a pair of Cochises mounted up (the second mount) with STH2 16s. On the second day out, the heel pulled out of one ski, taking the top sheet with it (top sheet is still intact but needs to be epoxied back into place...if possible). I must not have noticed and taken a few more turns because the tail is now slightly more upturned than it should be.

So what should I do? Even if I epoxy down the topsheet, and then helicoil the screws into place, the now extra bent ski will be still be whack-a-doodle. I'm going to take them to the shop, and see what they can do, but I'm not optimistic. Any advice from the collective?

[LightRanger]

^^^ That post is useless without pics.

[meter-man]

Here's one for now. More tonight when I have skis in front of me.

[CaliBrit]

Here's one for now. More tonight when I have skis in front of me.

Seriously. Just throw them away.

[grinch]

Dogs breakfast. Check the single ski thread

[GeezerSteve]

RIP

[meter-man]

RIP

RIP because the core must be rotten? or because the topsheet pulled off?

I have accepted my fate. Anyone got a deal for new Cochises? I only got 3 (THREE) damn days on this pair. Yes, I bought used. Fack me.

[old goat]

Here's one for now. More tonight when I have skis in front of me.

Ah--I see the problem. Flipcore.

That sucks-apparently not a rare thing with Blizzards.
http://www.epicski.com/t/131459/bliz...de-delaminated

[meter-man]

Ah--I see the problem. Flipcore.

That sucks-apparently not a rare thing with Blizzards.
http://www.epicski.com/t/131459/bliz...de-delaminated

WTF! Wow. That's some carnage. I will advise what happens - thanks for sending the link.