Mtbjay
In love with two-wheeled machines
After a year on the bike, the locking mechanisms have become quite stiff to turn on the OEM pannier set. To install the cores, I had to borrow this tiny "security-type" star nut tool from my machinist neighbor. I recall most of the mechanism was plastic (Really, I thought, on $1,000 panniers?). I had to re-adjust these itty-bitty installation screws (that connected the cores to the inside wall of the panniers) by backing them out a bit. This seemed to relieve some initial stiffness when they were new. The size of the screws, and their minimal thread depth and was so tiny I was concerned they'd snap-off or back out. So, I put a dab of lock-tite on the threads.
They loosened up a little at first, but then gradually stiffened-up over time. I have tried introduced various lubricants to the locking mechanism (without disassembly), but had little success in loosening the action on the mechanism. Because they've become so hard to turn, I now use a more robust after-market key, AND carry a spare key in my wallet for fear of a key snapping off in the locks!
I wonder what's going on in there? Perhaps I need to borrow the tools again and simply back out the assembly screws more? Any others here find a fix? Is there a more robust replacement available? They seem like the achilles heel of the pannier set....
They loosened up a little at first, but then gradually stiffened-up over time. I have tried introduced various lubricants to the locking mechanism (without disassembly), but had little success in loosening the action on the mechanism. Because they've become so hard to turn, I now use a more robust after-market key, AND carry a spare key in my wallet for fear of a key snapping off in the locks!
I wonder what's going on in there? Perhaps I need to borrow the tools again and simply back out the assembly screws more? Any others here find a fix? Is there a more robust replacement available? They seem like the achilles heel of the pannier set....