Removing a pair of SPinlock XT rope clutches - lesson learned. Screws and not bolted

[tudorsailor]

I have 4 clutches on the coachroof. I need to replace the innards of one clutch. To do this meant removing one pair of clutches. On removing the headlining in the saloon, I found the ends of the bolts. After removing the nuts it was not easy to get the clutches up and off. I levered using a tyre iron plus did some hitting on the bolts' ends from below. Eventually up came the clutches. They were difficult to remove owing to the sikaflex that was in the screw holes

On dismantling the clutch I found that they were not held with a captured bolt as I had thought, but a screw. Had I known this, it would have been so much easier to remove the 4 screws! I have checked install instructions that are on board the board to see if I missed seeing that the clutches were held with screws and there is no mention of how they are fitted to the deck/coachroof.

Replacing the parts took no more that 5 minutes. I replaced the clutches with butyl tape and not sikaflex around the screw holes

I hope that this helps someone in the future

TudorSailor

 

[{151760}]

Mine were definitely bolted through with nuts and metal plates on the inside. Replacement was very simple. The current Spinlock clutch mounting holes are in exactly the same position as my 28-year-old originals. Good design by Spinlock.

 

[Tranona]

Spinlock recommend only silicone be used to bed their clutches down.

 

[simonfraser]

Presumably you have now bolted them down ?

 

[tudorsailor]

Presumably you have now bolted them down ?

I have fixed as they were. So screwdriver in from above. Spanner on nuts from below. Butyl tape around screw holes.
TudorSailor

 

[Tandem]

Spinlock recommend only silicone be used to bed their clutches down.

Recently refitted my XT clutches, but used X-Gask, silicon was optional in Spinlock instructions.

 

[nigelmercier]

To clarify, I believe the OP means a machine screw, fitted with a nut. Many people would call them bolts.

 

[tudorsailor]

To clarify, I was trying to distinguish between a bolt/screw with a hex head that would be captured within a hexagonal recess, from a bolt/screw with a head that takes a flat head screw driver. Yes the bolt/screw has a nut on the other end

TS

 

[nigelmercier]

To clarify, I was trying to distinguish between a bolt/screw with a hex head that would be captured within a hexagonal recess, from a bolt/screw with a head that takes a flat head screw driver...

If only it were that simple https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screw#Differentiation_between_bolt_and_screw

 

[RichardS]

If only it were that simple https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screw#Differentiation_between_bolt_and_screw

That's interesting Nigel. My Son No. 2 is currently is studying Automotive Engineering at Uni and we were working on his car and I said that we needed to find a suitable bolt in the garage which we could locate into a captive nut on the vehicle. He replied that we need a cap screw. I said that we don't we need a bolt. He responded "What century are you in Dad".

I'm sticking with "bolt" whatever they teach 'em at Uni!

Richard

 

[ChrisRayner]

I once half heard a radio programme which dealt with the change in cavalry regiments following the introduction of motorised weaponry. Some old buffer was lamenting that the unofficial regimental motto had changed from 'Make love and ride away' to 'Screw and bolt.'

 

[{151760}]

To clarify, I was trying to distinguish between a bolt/screw with a hex head that would be captured within a hexagonal recess, from a bolt/screw with a head that takes a flat head screw driver. Yes the bolt/screw has a nut on the other end

TS

OK, I will also clarify. My Westerly has non-captured machine screw/bolts with pan heads with a slot in them. Inside were metal plates as washers to spread the load of the nuts. So, same thing after all!