Does it look like screws were over tightened or material problem?

[DazMode]

I'm having EK rejecting RMA for this kind of damage:





EK says it is overtightening screws (user fault), but it looks for me that either hole was too small or screw too big.

[gdesmo]

Looks to me like the thread is too tight and is slightly expanded as the screw is inserted. Big problem with plastic if they don't make the thread a loose fit as the plastic is very brittle and does not like to be forced apart.

[snef]

wow, seriously

yes, look like thread too tight
instead of replacing the whole block, maybe order only the plastic parts

I have difficulty with big companies like that , they don't take time to analyze and have the RMA reject very easy
Asus is one of them and EK join the group

[bungwirez]

thats another QA fail at EK... damn.

[Hooded]

Sorry guys but I disagree here. I can't see the picture well enough to say that the screws were not over tightened. It's plastic. That looks like the part to switch from standard link to a bridge, so it already had a piece bolted to it from EK.

Then the customer has gone to change the link to a bridge at which time the damage happened. That's over tightening or cross threading. Not EK's fault IMHO. If the damage was there before he tried to mount the bridge then it's EK's fault. I would think you would see that damage before removing the link part or even opening the plastic the block comes sealed in.

[gdesmo]

Holes need to be re-tapped and the screws run through a matching die. Most of the fracture points can be repaired with some MEK solvent cement that will fill in most of the hairline cracks and fuse it back together again. This is a fail on EK's part as far as I am concerned and they should at least send out the tops for the blocks. Also should remedy their quality control a bit better.

[gdesmo]

Sorry guys but I disagree here. I can't see the picture well enough to say that the screws were not over tightened. It's plastic. That looks like the part to switch from standard link to a bridge, so it already had a piece bolted to it from EK.

Then the customer has gone to change the link to a bridge at which time the damage happened. That's over tightening or cross threading. Not EK's fault IMHO. If the damage was there before he tried to mount the bridge then it's EK's fault. I would think you would see that damage before removing the link part or even opening the plastic the block comes sealed in.

Good point Hooded, hard to tell the exact situation. Possible when installed with the link something shifted and stressed that area. Regardless though, I believe the plastic to be a little on the thin-side at that point and will not allow for any stress. Coupled with a possible tight thread is a fail waiting to happen.

[Hooded]

Holes need to be re-tapped and the screws run through a matching die. Most of the fracture points can be repaired with some MEK solvent cement that will fill in most of the hairline cracks and fuse it back together again. This is a fail on EK's part as far as I am concerned and they should at least send out the tops for the blocks. Also should remedy their quality control a bit better.

The bolt holes for a change from a link to a bridge should not require re-tapping. They are the same bolts re-used from link to mount the bridge.

[gdesmo]

Should be fine then, must have been moved or over-tightened then. But customers will never admit to that sort of thing for sure.

[DazMode]

I was under impression that different set of screws is used when multi-block terminal is used.

[Akira749]

Holes need to be re-tapped and the screws run through a matching die. Most of the fracture points can be repaired with some MEK solvent cement that will fill in most of the hairline cracks and fuse it back together again. This is a fail on EK's part as far as I am concerned and they should at least send out the tops for the blocks. Also should remedy their quality control a bit better.

G. i'm really interested in that MEK solvent cement. If have 2 EK blocks for GTX770 here that I cracked when trying to install a dual bridge back in october. The damage is less than what you see on Daz's pictures above. If you say that this stuff could bring back to life the blocks it might be interesting!

Can you give me a bit more info on this product?

[Hooded]

Check out this part of install.
EK-FC Terminal Install
Step 4 #4

Secure the EK-FC Terminal interconnect with M4x28 DIN7984 Screws (comes with EK-FC water block) using the enclosed Allen (hex) key 2.5mm!

Also notice the large warning in bottom left corner of Step 4

[DazMode]

RTFM!

Thanks Hooded.

[gdesmo]

G. i'm really interested in that MEK solvent cement. If have 2 EK blocks for GTX770 here that I cracked when trying to install a dual bridge back in october. The damage is less than what you see on Daz's pictures above. If you say that this stuff could bring back to life the blocks it might be interesting!

Can you give me a bit more info on this product?

Here's what you would need in the 2 pictures, you would also need a tap to clean up the threads. Or you could send them to me and I could do my best for you on the repair. Would only cost you the shipping and that's it.

[Akira749]

I will took pictures of the small damage tonight to show it to you so you can tell me if it's doable