An important attribute of a Duraflex springboard is that the board is attached to the diving stand with hinges. This allows the board to move freely as it is bounced, increasing spring.
But wear and tear will eventually force parts of the hinge to be replaced. A good indicator of wear and tear is excessive noise that comes from the diving board as it is bounced.
Check the hinges to tell you if you have a problem. Listen closely to the hinges as the board bounces. If you hear a loud bang or see movement by the hinge, you have a problem.
Follow these simple steps and your hinge and diving board will be as good as new.
Here's How:
Remove the diving board from the hinges by taking out the bronze board bolt and nut that attaches the the board to the hinges. Be careful not to let the diving board slide off and into the pool.
Remove the “O” rings from the ends of each hinge pin using a pair of needle nose pliers. The "O" rings are small plastic rings that keep the hinge pin from sliding out of the hinge. There should be two “O” rings per hinge.
Remove the hinge pin from the hinge by pushing the pin from one side using a using a hammer and a long small bolt or a screw driver. The hinge has two parts, the male and the female, that are held together by a pin. The hinge pin is a small cylinder, approximately three inches in length.
Once each hinge pin has been removed from the hinge, discard the nyliners from each hinge pin. The nyliners encircle the hinge pin and keep the hinge pin and the hinge from rubbing against each other. Separate the male and female parts of the hinge and check for any broken nyliner pieces inside the hinge parts.
Clean the holes of the male and female hinge parts using a degreaser or WD-40.
Lubricate the hinge pin with WD-40 and insert a nyliner into each end of the female portion of the hinge.
Insert the male hinge into the female hinge and then push the hinge pin through both the male and female hinge parts. As you insert the hinge pin make sure to hold the nyliners in place. The nyliner furthest from the insertion point will be pushed out if not held in place.
After the hinge pin has been inserted into the male and female hinge parts, place an "O" ring on either end of the hinge pin.
Add WD-40 to the top of the hinge. A small hole at the top of the assembled hinge will allow the lubricant to flow over and around the hinge pin.
Re-attach the diving board using the diving board bolt and nut.
Keep an ample supply of "O" rings on hand. An old, or worn out "O" ring can be replaced without removing the hinge. This will keep the hinge from sliding out of place.
Tips:
- When removing the hinge pin, be careful not to force the pin out while using a hammer.
- Many times, noise associated with the hinges will occur when the nyliner breaks and falls apart.
What You Need:
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Hammer and metal bolt or screw driver
- WD-40
- Duraflex Nyliners (2)
- Duraflex "O" rings (2)
