WARNING, January 2013: For removing torx/star drive ski binding screws, use a high quality and impact driver rated torx bit rotated by hand, possibly with the help of a wrench cheater, with extra care to prevent breaking the bit off in the screw. Pre-heat stuborn screws with a good quality and hot soldering iron. I’ve been having a lot of trouble torx bits breaking during screw removal.
Ski shops already know this, but here is the info for any readers upgrading to new Dynafit Radical FT or ST bindings with non-removable brakes and doing home mounting. When inserting the rear screws you’ll need a longer star drive T-20 driver with a narrow shaft, otherwise known as a hexalobular internal driving feature tool. Yeah, I was reading the Wiki.
A regular type hand T-20 star drive screwdriver will work fine, but if you’re using insert bits with a power driver or bit holder screwdriver you’ll need 2-inch (or longer) insert bits rather than the little shorties. As shown, the longer bit fits nicely between the brake parts. If you use a shorter insert bit the holder shaft doesn’t get enough clearance. In a pinch, you can grind clearance notches in the plastic brake plate, but if you use insert bits it’s better to just buy a few 2-inch T-20 drivers. I got mine at Lowe’s, and they’re easy to find on Amazon and elsewhere online. Buy a few for friends and for your repair kit.
Insert bit holder with a two inch T-20 bit fits perfectly between brake parts of the Dynafit Radical FT/ST. Former binding models had removable brakes. With the permanently installed brakes you have less room to work so tooling up is the order of the day.
If you want an even more elegant solution you can get longer Torx bits, but we’ve found the 2 inch to be fine. See Amazon links below for some shopping options. Stocking stuffers for the ski mech in your life?
TORX Driver Bit -T20 – 2″ – Quick-Change Shank
Torx impact rated size 20 is probably stronger and might be best.
TORX Driver Bit – T20 – 3-1/2″ – Quick-Change Shank
Felo 0715731419 Set of 6 Torx Bits, 2-Inch Length, sizes T10-T40, 036 Series
Klein 19555 5-Piece TORX Screwdriver Set
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.