Replacement Foam Rubber Hook Pads for Swagman Chinook Bike Rack  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Unfortunately, the hook diameter of the Chinook and the XTC and XC bike racks are different so the # P177 replacement foam sleeves won't work on your Chinook, and Swagman doesn't offer those sleeves as an individually available replacement part.

The best solution Swagman can offer is the replacement long and short hooks with lock assemblies, part # SP428, but before going that route, measure the diameter of the hook where the pad slides on. If it's 5/8 of an inch (which I believe it is), Hollywood Racks offers the # HRSPR-FP which will fit the hooks.

The easiest way to replace the pads is to take a utility knife and carefully slice the old pads off. Clean the hook very well, being sure to remove any debris or traces of the old pad. Then, give the hook and the inside of the pad a quick shot of cheap aerosol hairspray. When wet, the hairspray will allow you to slide the sleeves into place, but it gets tacky when it dries.

Typically, the foam hooks will wear out because folks have the totally understandable tendency to run those hooks down very tightly when in fact it's not necessary. Run the hooks down until they touch the bike frame, then tighten further by one more click. This provides enough down force so that the bikes won't hop out of the wheel cradles.

expert reply by: Mike L

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