Wedge Grip Problems

[Menchhofer]

Has anyone had problems using the wedge grips?

I have had two cables come completely loose using the grips. The entire unit remained intact with the cap still screwed together. One grip fell onto a vehicle.

I have also gone back to several installed cables and found on every one of them, the cap was loose and just about ready to fall off. I am about ready to loctite the caps.

 

[willbranch]

How are you tensioning the system when installing? And can you splay the cable out the end to keep it from backing off? I don't use the wedge grips but I do use the rigguy ends and have found it much better to tension the system using the fiddleblocks above the cable to pull the stems instead of trying to pull the cable through the stem with a havens grip. did that make sense? I don't know much about the wedge grips but I don't think a properly tensioned system could move enough to come apart like that.

 

[Menchhofer]

We use chicago grip/come-along to tension the stem before the final install. Still, this would not explain the loosening of the caps.

 

[guymayor]

[ QUOTE ]
this would not explain the loosening of the caps.

[/ QUOTE ]
what would

have you talked to the manufacturer? taken pics? this sounds like a big deal...time to inspect some systems--i have not noticed this to date and with a couple dozen systems installed, I'm just waiting to get a call.

splaying ends is a big hassle--think the loctite is the best choice for this? tighten with 2 big wrenches instead of by hand?

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Are you using soft lay cable or EHS? There is a difference in their outside diameter that could explain the slippage.

 

[Menchhofer]

Always EHS cable. The loctite is my idea. I taped a couple caps as a temporary fix.

 

[Menchhofer]

I have also thought of using wrenches instead of by hand. What I do not understand is how the entire unit comes off the cable with the cap still screwed on?