A few words of caution. If you've ever used a tap in metal this is nothing like that. These threads cut really easy. Also, I found this job to be much, much easier than an initial binding install. There's no measuring. The holes are already there. Just drill them out. The procedure below, however, does assume some minimum skill set with tools. This isn't a difficult job but wood is soft and drills can make a mess quickly. All the torques and forces used in this procedure are very low. If you're doing something and you're having to go much more than finger tight, you're either over doing it or something isn't right. Take your time, find some experienced oversight, crack open a beer or pour yourself a glass of your favorite drink, put on some music, and relax. Enjoy doing your own work! By doing the work yourself you're also developing the skills and acquiring the tools you can use to make repairs out in the field. One of the reasons I'm removing a set of perfectly good bindings and installing inserts is because I want to carry a complete extra binding. If anything happens to the one on the ski I can easily replace it in the field.
As you go into this be aware that things may be different than I describe. I mounted these bindings last year on brand new skis so knew exactly what I was getting in to. You may run into things like wood rot or other damage under the binding that will require a change in approach. In a lot of cases there are materials and techniques to repair some kinds of damage and even correct mistakes like drilling through the ski. So, if you see something or do something that seems catastrophic, don't panic. It can probably be fixed. And if it can't, it's likely best the problem was discovered on your workbench and not out on a frozen lake somewhere 20 miles from the nearest road!
Materials:
- Screws of appropriate size
- Inserts
- Two-part epoxy
Tools:
- clamps for securing ski.
- screwdriver and bits
- T2 Torx bit (to remove the old screw)
- Pozi-drive bit (to put in the new screws)
- drill, preferable smaller-sized, battery powered
- handheld coutersink tool
- stepped insert installation drill bit https://www.bindingfreedom.com/insert-i ... drill-bit/
- Insert installation tap https://www.bindingfreedom.com/insert-installation-tap/
- insert installation tool https://www.bindingfreedom.com/insert-i ... tion-tool/
- 9/32" collar
- tap handle
- rotary tool with mini drum sander bit
Remove the original binding using appropriate tool. I installed these last year so had the T2 Torx bit. Depending on the kind of glue used this may be harder or easier. I used Titebond III and the disassembly was easy.
