Removing an Ama shock cord "end" fitting

Hi All,
One of my ama shock cords stretched a bit for some reason.
I'm wondering about how to remove the cap in order to tighten it up.
I assume it's threaded but I'm not too sure about the tool to use to get it out.
Needle nose pliers seem to be a little sloppy .... Is there a special tool?
Am I correct that it is a threaded cap? It's not very clear in the parts catalog.
Any info is much appreciated. Thanks
Don. 2014 Papaya

There is a tool. Here is a link to a kit http://www.kayakshed.com/product/hobie-kayak-customization-package/ showing the tool.

I've not been able to get the tool to work--too weak, I suppose! I use a pair of pliers laid flat on the ama.

Keith

_________________
2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

I have The Tool and have replaced many of these type of fittings. The key in using the tool is to press down firmly to keep it engaged in the slots. I use both hands to stabilize the tool and keep it in place.
For the bungee fittings I would probably clip the bungee off first to get it out of the way. I think the fittings go in easier than they come out, but be careful not to cross thread them.

I just replaced all of the rear deck cleats on my TI with padeyes and made bungees with the small Hobie bungee hooks. I like it much better and the hooks are also perfect for spineboards with pins.

For what it's worth, I would gladly pay a lot more for a better quality tool if Hobie made one.

Chris

Keith and Chris,
Thanks for the info.
I'm not too keen on the pliers option so I'll be ordering the tool.
Best to all!
Don

Agreed, the tool is not user friendly. Firmly locking a pair of vice grips to the tool helps. A larger 'T' shaped tool would be better.
Consider swapping older fittings with these 2016 XL padeyes for more versatility-

Hey All,
I found this tool in a bicycle repair shop.
It works great!

Great idea Don!
I have one of those Park pin spanners and never considered using it.
I'll be giving it a go for sure. Thanks!

hmmm, if that works i am assuming a good pair of snap ring pliers should work well also....

Hey Stringy,
Thanks for putting a name on that tool.
Amazing ..... It showed in a bike toolbox I haven't opened in 35 years.
I'm wondering about the padeye picture you posted.
Does the shape of the 2016 fittings have any particular advantage over the half loop pad eyes on my 2014 TI?
Maybe for straps?

Carl,
I'm thinking the snapring pliers would seriously tweak. (Maybe I'm thinking of a different tool ?).
The fittings are pretty tight. It's nice to have the leverage on the Park Pin Spanners.
They work great and are well worth a minor expense if you are replacing 'caps'.

Don

i was thinking of the type with the 90 degree tip, but you may be correct, i have not pulled one out so i dont really know how tight they are..

The larger padeyes may not work in all locations. There are some places where the fittings are slightly recessed and the larger ones may not screw in all the way because of their larger diameter at the top.
Chris

Just tried the pin spanner and it does work well loosening tight fittings, but I wouldn't consider it a replacement for the Hobie tool. There are some hull fittings that have limited access and the length of the pin spanner becomes an issue. The rounded ends aren't an ideal fit either:

It does provide great leverage as Don says and is best used to initially loosen those stubborn fittings.


Locking on a pair of vicegrips makes the Hobie tool much easier to use:




Definitely Don. The larger padeye means you can fit more to it and they also come with a hole so that bungee can be fitted as well. You could have a bungeed hook that clipped back to the padeye.
Interestingly this was one of Roadrunners suggestions in his "Fun with Fittings" post from ages ago. Unfortunately the pics are no longer showing but the thread still makes interesting reading if you want to swap fittings to suit:
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8922&p=45553