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A tight McLux head?

LEDBE
S

Shanghaied

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jan 26, 2004
Messages
152
Location
sthlm, sweden
Somebody help!

A couple of weeks ago I bought a McLux head from the Shoppe, and got it today.

All was good until I tried to break in the head on a 3x123 power pack. Now I know it could be kinda tight and snug and all, but this might just be too tight. I mean I could not screw it on for more then one turn (about 3/4 of a turn in fact) before it seizes. I did try to twist it on and off a dozen hundred times, with water, and later grease. 90 minutes and a pair of thin cotton gloves later (I'm not kidding, it wore through), it's still the same.

What do you guys think? That's too tight huh?

I saw the post about head recalls and all, but I thought that's already been taken care of...

What should I do? A bit more elbow-grease? or should I contact Wayne for a replacement (which I don't like the idea of, since I live in Europe).

Thanks for reading through all this...
 
If you have access to an appropriate thread pitch gauge, check the threads on the head and body to make sure they are the same pitch, otherwise use a ruler and count carefully, also look for any obvious damage or bent threads. If the thread pitch is different, go no further. Assuming the pitch is the same, here's a solution I've used on tight threads.

This won't help if you want to put the head on different battery packs, but you should be able to file the threads on this pack smaller to fit the head. Damaged threads can also be filed back to shape. Use a small triangular file and try to remove material evenly from both sides of the thread and the root as you follow it up or down the pack. Clean off all filings before checking the fit. If you are patient enough, this should do the trick.
 
IIRC there was a problem with some of the McLux heads on some power packs like you are describing.
I suggest contacting Wayne or Don before doing anything you might regrett later /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif
bernhard
 
I'm rather sure that they are of the same pitch, partly because now I'm able to turn it for over one and a half turn now. And there are no visible bent damage to the thread.... I guess it's the tolerance problem like they said...


Maybe it's easier if I just try contacting that dynamic duo....
 
Yup,

Sounds like you have one of the dang tubes that is too large in thread diameter for some of the heads. If the head hasn't been built out yet, it's possible to chase the threads on it with a tap but you're in Europe. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif The only thing to do is what you have been doing but it sounds like you have an exceptionally tight fit there. A fine abrasive in a lube might speed up the process for you.
 
So the tubes are larger, not the head?

What I have been doing, Don, you mean more turning right? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif What are the fine abrasives that you were talking about? I'm also thinking of buying a Mclux PR head for the same tube, how would the fit be then for the both of them?

Maybe some sturdy padded work gloves are what I really need (my palm is still red from yesterday's work) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

btw do Europe and America have the same system for threads? Last I checked, I don't think they have the same designation.

Thanks alot for the help guys, but can't talk right now, some threads await to be worn away /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I believe that the tube thread is the culprit but without specific guages, I can't be sure. Some of the original McLux heads were also a bit on the undersized side as well. As far as abrasives go, there are some fine lapping compounds and stuff the dentist use for teeth cleaning. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Some toothpastes used to be abrasive but now, I don't know. What you need to do is get something in there that will wear off some of the aluminum without the aluminum galling and seizing on you. You are on metric threads and these are imperial or english or american or what ever they are called these days. No joy there.
 
"Sir, please give me the most abrasive toothpaste that you got!"

Hmmm I wonder where I can find some of those... On second thought, there are these anti-seizing paste with powdered metal in them (can't remember the name of it), the kind that some put between the seatpost and seat tube of a bike to prevent seizing... maybe they'll do?
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif thanks for the help everyone!

In the end it was no valve-grinding compound, toothpaste or elbow grease (ok, a bit of that), it was just good old file-work.

I was just looking at the thread from a SAK magnifying glass when I noticed that you actually could see the thread worn down on the section where it fits, so all there was to do was to duplicate that. So I took the file on the same SAK and filed away!

Was done at 3am, put on the o-ring, lo and behold, it fitted like a glove! Now with that much work in it already, it really felt like it was mine!

Slept easy that night /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sleepy.gif
 
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