[massballer2k5]

Alright, well I plan to replace my expansion chamber on my Icon-Z with either a new, red expansion chamber or a red regulator... and im trying to unscrew the one i have to take it off and it just wont budge.. im not the strongest person in the world either... so i was wonderin if you have any suggestions for tools to use or any tips to take it off without scratchin the anodizing.. thanks

[joeyk803c]

Don't get another X-chamber, get a Reg. If you don't care about what it looks like after you take it off, use some vice grips. If you do and plan on using it again, you can get tool that uses a rubber ban(fat, thick one) That will get if off no problem.

[allstarunited]

A strap wrench would be ideal, but (and don't laugh) a quick and easy substitute I've found is: Cleaning gloves. You know, those yellow rubber gloves that your mom/wife uses when cleaning bathrooms and mopping and such. They provide a surprisingly good grip. I've even used them to get feed necks off before with no other tools.

Just to be sure-
Did you check to see if there was any theadlock/loctite on the threads?

[massballer2k5]

No, I can't see the threads when its screwed in.. if that helps

[allstarunited]

The picture doesn't work. Sometimes when something has loctite on it, you can see a VERY thin red/green/blue line around the base of where it's screwed into. It shouldn't matter though, because with the cleaning gloves or strap wrench you should have more than enough grip to break most loctite. If not, try heating it up. If you still can't get it off, get someone that's a little stronger to help you out.

[lbreevesii]

i had fogotten about cleaning gloves...those do work well. just like those round jar opener rubber disk things.

[paintthecatBLUE]

if youre getting a new one why do you care about scratching the old one? if you still are though, putting a cotton cloth on both sides of it and then putting it in a vice will prevent scratching it, although aluminum is such a soft metal that if you tighten down too hard on the vice it will squish it... don't worry about that though, aluminum is actually hard by itself, but compared to other things like diamonds or steel its mushy. if you arent standing on the tightening rod on the vice you shouldnt have to worry about squishing it

[SupahFly21]

Originally Posted by joeyk803c

If you don't care about what it looks like after you take it off, use some vice grips. If you do and plan on using it again, you can get tool that uses a rubber ban(fat, thick one) That will get if off no problem.

if you care what it looks like put a layer of rubber like a bicycle tire that your not using and put the wrench over that then it should come off.