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Hobie TI 2012 - AKA Lock Kit Hinged Hook upgrade

Posted: 03 Jun 2018, 16:29
by stevebrown
The AKA Lock Kit upgrade went well... however... a couple of hints on how to avoid a time consuming adjustment!
Risk: the screws holding the plastic locking piece at the end of the knuckles can shear off if you simply approach this job with a screwdriver.
Hindsight: the screws are easier to remove, and less likely to shear off (leaving the body of the screw in the housing) if you use a hacksaw to cut the plastic locking end piece away first, apply a penetrating lubricant, and then steadily use the screwdriver. (Other posts have described heating the screws, but this wasn’t necessary). CUT the plastic end piece to be replaced away... you won’t regret it!

Patience at this step is worth applying, as drilling the screws out of the knuckle is not as straightforward as it would seem.
(1 pair of screws did have to be drilled out, and tapped to 3/16, and replacement screws installed).

Big thanks to Richard & Scott & SLH for the support with parts & information to get the job done!

Re: Hobie TI 2012 - AKA Lock Kit Hinged Hook upgrade

Posted: 03 Jun 2018, 22:29
by shane
I've got the upgrade kit but hadn't done it yet as my current ones seem fine. Looks like I'll have to approach this with some caution. :eh:

Re: Hobie TI 2012 - AKA Lock Kit Hinged Hook upgrade

Posted: 04 Jun 2018, 06:25
by stevebrown
Must admit... while drilling a sheared screw out, I was reflecting on the idea that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”...
To reduce the risk of a screw shearing off in the housing:
- cut the plastic off with a hacksaw (cut close to screws), pliers can be used to twist the plastic out.
- apply penetrating lubricant... consider leaving it for a couple of hours & reapply

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Re: Hobie TI 2012 - AKA Lock Kit Hinged Hook upgrade

Posted: 05 Jun 2018, 18:59
by hoit
After snapping the first screw I followed the same process as Steve. In fact I also hit the screws with a blow torch as well and still managed to snap several more screws with very little force :roll:

Scott sorted me out to get me back on the water. If anybody else hasn't fitted the upgrade kit you need to take your time and don't force things. You also need to ask yourself do I really to fit the upgrade kit. If you have never popped an aka do you really need to upgrade the lock kit ?

Re: Hobie TI 2012 - AKA Lock Kit Hinged Hook upgrade

Posted: 05 Jun 2018, 19:21
by peatop
Stainless works hard (the more its stressed the harder therefore the more brittle it gets) it's similar to brass, if screwing a screw into something the screw heats and twists (torsional twist) this hardens the screw making it brittle, to limit this hardening affect an applicable lubricant should be used and also maybe pre drill, as your dealing with plastic i would not recommend and oil base lube, maybe a soft wax tapping lube or a dry graphite lube. Hope im on the rite track here and not misunderstanding the issue, but good information to know anyway ;)

Re: Hobie TI 2012 - AKA Lock Kit Hinged Hook upgrade

Posted: 05 Jun 2018, 21:02
by shane
hoit wrote:If you have never popped an aka do you really need to upgrade the lock kit ?
That's where I am at the moment. My aka's have never popped and feel really secure when I test them. So for now I'll monitor and keep testing them and only fit the upgrade when I feel they're susceptible.