Stabilizer Rod/Bar Replacement

[XarnuSonci]

well if you've ever broken a stabilizer bar:


or snapped a stabilizer rod:


this will explain how to replace them.

there's a few different ways to approach this repair:
you can salvage the parts from old stilts (how i fixed my stabilizer bar).
you can order new parts from a stilt retailer
you can make your own (how i fixed my stabilizer rod)

to make your own rods you need:
1/4" threaded rod ~15 inches per rod (if your replacing one, why not switch them all for consistency)
6 1/4" nuts per rod
locktite or lock washers or both

Terminology i'll use:

this is the block:


the stabilizer rods are the threaded rod that run through the block down to the stabilizer bar which runs through the foot plate


1. the first step is to remove the 4 bolts that hold your kneebars/cuffs in place. remove the bars and the outer housing.  It will be metal or plastic, but comes off the same way.


2. next remove the nuts on the bottom of the stabilizer rods and loosen the nut on top of the stabilizer bar.


3. next remove the bolts holding the block to the frame.  remove the top bolt on the stabilizer rods and loosen the bolts inside the block


4. then you can remove the stabilizer rod from the stabilizer bar.  remove the last two nuts on the stabilizer bar to separate it from the block.


5.a at this point if you broke the stabilizer bar you need to remove one of these clips, there is a special tool to make it easy, but with some needle nose pliers and patients it can be done.  Then slide in the new rod put the clip back on and re assemble the rods and block.

(note i don't think you can get just this bar from a retailer, they'll give you the entire footplate with it installed, so unless you are making it or moving it from other stilts this is not necessary)

5.b if you are replacing the stabilizer rods you now insert the new rods into the block, making sure to place 2 nuts on the rod inside the block.

if you are not bending your own rods skip to step 7b

6.b tighten down the nuts to the block, and bolt the block back to the frame.  then bend the rods out so then line up with the stabilizer bar.


7.a unbolt the block from the frame

7.b put one nut onto the bottom of each stabilizer rod and insert them into the stabilizer bar.  re attach the block to the frame


8. place 2 nuts on the bottom of each stabilizer rod and adjust them so you are happy with the alignment of the frame.  (you may need to adjust after bocking to see how they feel)

9. reattach the block housing and adjust the kneebar/cuff to the correct height


10. Go Bock!


and for anyone who was wondering, this is why stabilizer rods should be on your bocks and not in a pile on the floor:

[darfgarf]

oo nice, i would nominate for the knowedge section...but the links aren't displaying correctly atm so i can't find it...and is that a standard european 2-1 chainmail bracelet thing maybe?

[XarnuSonci]

knowledge link should be at the top of the page displays right for me, chainmail is 4-1

[skatenpaint]

thanx i was thinking about why those were needed,,its good they are there then

and should i have my straps inside the rods??instead of out side

[XarnuSonci]

and should i have my straps inside the rods??instead of out side

its really personal preference, if you have small feet you have to have them on the outside cause they stop the bindings from clamping down all the way.

[Theibault]

and should i have my straps inside the rods??instead of out side

its really personal preference, if you have small feet you have to have them on the outside cause they stop the bindings from clamping down all the way.

great how to. regarding the strap in/out, i personally prefer inside. i feel more secure that way, but it could just be psychosomatic.

[Mr Frank]

I have one strap on the inside and one on the outside.

[darfgarf]

straps outside for me, might try on the inside sometime...and yeah 4-1 it's been a while since i did any chainmail-ing