Thule bike rack arm

[Wellington]

I’ve bought one of these to secure my bike to a rail in my garage. I bought one without a lock, because its going inside. But it doesn’t seeem to work properly without the lock to close the ‘jaws’ that clamp the bike. Once there is resistance, the knob just spins and I can’t tighten it enough to secure the bike. Is there a hidden knack to it, or should I just get one with a lock anyway?!

 

[Off da Grid]

Maybe the nut has come out of its position in the head so won’t tighten properly?

 

[buntyb]

Try locking and unlocking it. It might have partially slipped towards being locked and therefore just spinning

 

[Wellington]

Try locking and unlocking it. It might have partially slipped towards being locked and therefore just spinning

it doesn’t have a lock, though. Just a hole where the lock would be.

Maybe the nut has come out of its position in the head so won’t tighten properly?

That sounds hopeful, can I adjust it? I can’t see anything obvious to fiddle with!

 

[jockaneezer]

Got any pictures of it Wellington ?

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[Wellington]

Good idea

 

[jockaneezer]

Can't see how that lock would affect the tightening ? As Off da Grid suggests, it may be that the captive metal nut that's moulded into the bottom of the knob has come adrift ?
Undo the knob completely and check that the nut is fitted inside the plastic hexagonal cut out ?

 

[Wellington]

I took it apart (because I’m so good at fixing things!) and the hexagonal nut thingy is made in such a way that pressure on it on it pushes it out out of the cog mechanism. It clearly needs the locking barrel to engage the mechanism, and is effectively permanently locked without a locking mechanism . I’m sending it back, and hoping the new one arrives in time and works. I’m having a most trying time with this garage project!