[Advisory] Upwings / Elites locking foot plate tilt pin(bolt) breakage

[BackB0NE]

I have been on Upwings for about 6 months, and I have come across a problem with the pin (bolt) that is slotted into the footplate.

The pin that is slotted into the footplate is too weak. One of the pins has broken in half. I locked my footplate in the 0 degree position with no tilt. I believe the back screw that sets the tilt degree is the cause.

My suspicion is the manufacture or designer knew about this, as there are an additional 2 pins that came with the stilts. My conclusion is that a failure will occur in the future with the supplied additional pins.

Owners of Upwings/Elites or poweriZers generation 3 jumping stilts should check the pin for bending. You will notice if it's bent either through a visual inspection or your footplate will tilt a little despite being completely tighten with the back screw.

Use of the stilts in below freezing temperature may also have contributed to metal fatigue.

So the pins need to be made with a much stronger composite material to withstand the constant impact of the screw.  I am now looking for a stainless steel replacement.


edit: I forgot to mention, that if the pin is bent or broken, it may be dfficult to remove the pin. You will have unscrew the bottom inner hexangular column screw and nut that holds the footplate to the bottom connection ports (column supports).

[zerocool]

you would think if they knew there was a problem that they would
send out a stronger pin

hope they fix it for you

[Mr Frank]

Yeah, but what if giving three spare cheap pins is still cheaper than giving one good pin?  They save some money, and they get to sell replacement parts. I there was another company that sold Up-wing-style bocks, because then they would be really awesome.

[zerocool]

Is the pin solid or hollow?
If solid you can get a steel pin from a metal shop for cheep
the same for a hollow one
can't be more that a few dollars

[XarnuSonci]

i knew it, i called this as the first upwing failure the moment i saw that design, that pin is way to small and prolly made of aluminium which is way to weak to hold in that position.

[bmthbloke]

cassandra

[zerocool]

that pin is a pile of crap

the weakest part of the design shows up
I thought the spring with the bolts 3/4 down would be the weakest part

[bmthbloke]

Then again, there has to be a eakest link somewhere. On 7's it was the horizontal bar under the footplate that secures the stabalizer rods . Both mine and some others I hurd of went early last summer.But none recently. So these things do seem to get picked up on, and changes made in the factor.

[zerocool]

mabye over time, the good factories will fix problems like this

[mcnaryxc]

mabye over time, the good factories will fix problems like this

Ya, and hope they don't just include extra pins lol

Wow, I still can't believe they gave extra pins. I mean, it's nice they did, but it just raises the eyebrow for me.

[zerocool]

they knew of the problem but will they fix it?
that kills me they know the problem just fix the new ones
don't send more pins just f#ing fix it.