Adjusting Ski Bindings

[John84]

This is probably going to sound pretty stupid, but this is my first pair of skis I've ever owned and I need to adjust the bindings. I'm fairly sure that all I need is a screw driver to adjust them (Salomon C710's), but I just wanted to make sure before I go around changing things. Right now they're set at 6 on a 1-10 scale and pop off too easily if I stop suddenly. Thanks for the help.

[awf170]

are your sure there isnt something wrong... at 6 they shouldnt pop off that easy. If you dont mind me asking what do you weigh? Besides that i have nothing to add, dont know about adjusting bindings and dont know if these are good or bad binding if that is the reason.

[John84]

I'm 6 feet tall and weigh 155-160. They don't pop off very often but the last time it happened I twisted my ankle so I'd like to set them a little higher.

[awf170]

Originally Posted by John84

I'm 6 feet tall and weigh 155-160. They don't pop off very often but the last time it happened I twisted my ankle so I'd like to set them a little higher.

dont think it should happen at 6, but not positive... wait for someone else to give you some better advice than i can.

[riverc0il]

Originally Posted by awf170

are your sure there isnt something wrong... at 6 they shouldnt pop off that easy.

how can you make a statement like that without knowing this guys height, weight, or ability level which is how DIN is determined? my skis would pop off left and right on a DIN 6.

john84, doing binding adjustments yourself is serious business but not an unfrequent practice if you are positive it needs to be done and pre-release issues not being the result of a binding failure. all you need is a flathead screw drive. turn the screws on either end of your front/rear binding and go up small increments. try .5 to start. if you are still having issues, go up another .5 etc. be careful you don't put up the DIN too high or the skis will not pop off when you need them to.

also, it would be helpful to know which side needs tightening. how are you releasing from the binding? i.e. will you need to tighten the front or rear of the binder. finally, i would wonder are you doing something specifically in your technique that is suddenly causing the release or has this been a constant. sounds like something new? bindings definitely should not release on a sudden stop so tightening them down may be helpful. if they are old binders, you may want to bring them to a shop to have them inspected. also, be weary if you tighten the DIN up too much, you could be looking at a worse injury than a twisted ankle or could break the ski in a fall if it can't pop off. good luck.

[teachski]

John84, you said this is your first pair of skis. From this I can draw the assumption that you are a relative novice. You gave your height and weight in a later post. You also said that this does not happen very often, but that last time they fell off you twisted your ankle. Do you think that maybe if they had not come off you may have broken that ankle or sustained a worse injury? The binding is designed to come off in a fall. You did not tell us the circumstances in which the ski came off. Did you fall when it came off?

I too have a ski with an S710 binding. It is set a little more than 6. I am a little shorter than you, but also a little heavier. I've been skiing for almost 40 years. I am a ski patroller and have been a ski instructor. Though I don't always ski aggressivley, I have skied quite aggressively on this ski and have not had trouble with premature binding release.

Before saying that the din on your binding needs to be made higher I want you to think of a couple things.
1.) How often does this happen?
2.) Does this happen during a fall?
3.)Have you had this binding tested by a skilled technician?

Contrary to the belief of some, NEVER set your bindings yourself. This is particularly true if you are new to the sport. You should have your bindings tested each year as well. Leave the settings alone and take the skis to a shop that had a good reputation and have them checked. If they are truly coming off prematurely, tell them that. There may be a problem with the binding. But, if you are complaining because they come off when you fall...hey, that's they way they are supposed to work, and they are doing this to keep you from sustaining a more serious injury.

[bvibert]

I would take them to a shop and have them tested. If they're falling off during regular skiing there may be something wrong. My bindings are set to 6.5 and I'm 6'4" 280lbs, the only time mine come off is when I fall, then its a good thing. A qualified shop can test your bindings to make sure that they meet the manufacturers specifications, and it should only cost you about $15.

[Charlie Schuessler]

What condition are your ski boots in? Are the toe & heel edges in clean condition without rounded or frayed edges?

If the toe/heel edges are rounded/frayed there will be a problem with the bindings releasing…you may need new toe/heel pieces or new boots…if the toe/heel edges are in fine shape then the bindings may need adjustment…

Anyhow…Take your gear to a professional ski shop in the late fall (second opinion…maybe a different shop than the one your currently using)and have them adjust the boots & bindings if they deem it necessary after reviewing the information you provide...

[awf170]

Originally Posted by riverc0il

how can you make a statement like that without knowing this guys height, weight, or ability level which is how DIN is determined? my skis would pop off left and right on a DIN 6.

I knew that he was an intermiadiate skier from his posts before, and after writing that i thought to myself i should ask him weight, but never thought to delete the first part. I just made the assumption that he was a normal weight, which i guess i shouldnt have.

[John84]

The binding releasing wouldn't have caused me any concern if it had released during a fall, but it released as I was stopping suddenly to avoid someone who had fallen a few feet in front of me, which caused me to fall.