What Is That Noise?

A phone call I often get from coaches involves the loud noise coming from their diving equipment when being bounced. In most cases, this is due to one of two things:

1. The FULCRUM is not properly adjusted (either the Anti-Rattle Bolts or the Roller Clamp Lock-Nuts)
2. The HINGE has either missing or broken Nyliners (“bushings”) which allows the Hinge Pin to rattle around inside the Hinge.

To adjust the fulcrum, you need a 1/2-inch combination wrench and a 9/16-inch combination wrench. Try to isolate which side of the fulcrum is making the noise and then determine if the Roller Blocks is lifting up and banging on the Slide Track (loose Anti Rattle Bolt) or if the Fulcrum Roller is lifting up and banging on the Roller Block (loose Roller Clamp). When tightening, always do so in quarter-turn increments and then re-test. Do NOT over-tighten.

If the noise is coming from the hinge (you can usually see the hinge pin moving inside the hinge), then you need to replace the Nyliners (“hinge bushings”). To do this, you must first remove the diving board and then using a “punch” or similar tool — knock the pin out of the hinge. Clean or replace the hinge pin and then add the four NEW Nyliners to the hinge and then re-insert the hinge pin. Put new “O” Rings on either end of the hinge pin to prevent it from working itself out of the hinge assembly.  If you run into problems, feel free to contact Springboards and More for trouble-shooting over the phone.