Ping adapter failure

[Sef]

I searched and didn’t find anything on this, but I imagine the issue is not uncommon. I had a Ping adapter fail where the outer adapter meets the inner adapter/ferrule. On toe hits the driver shaft will rotate 20* or so and there is now a small separation between the adapter and ferrule. I took it to PGATSS and Ping replaced the adapter under warranty. I bought another adapter to fix the problem while I wait for the replacement to arrive.

 

Now less than a week later the new adapter is separating and the first replacement from Ping hasn’t even arrived yet. My shaft is now rotated about 60* from where it was installed. You can’t move the head by twisting it with your hands and center strikes still feel very solid and cause no rotation of the head, but every toe miss moves it another 15-20*. The simple answer is stop hitting it off the toe, but has anyone else experienced this?

[pkn17003]

I think I have a similar issue with my Cleveland driver but for me the shaft itself rotates within the adapter. Find this very strange, I mean you would think the shaft would just pop out but it seems it holds up so I haven't seen it as a problem!

[Stuart_G]

If I'm understanding things right (pictures might help if I'm misunderstanding) If the shaft is rotating inside the adapter and coming loose to the point where you see separation of the ferrule - it's not the adapter that's failing. It's the glue joint. You don't really need a new adapter, you need a better glue joint.

 

One of the problems I have with the new Ping adapter is the rubber ferrule and the amount it extends into the adapter takes away from the length of the glue joint. It barely leaves 1" of tip length for the glue joint (if that) so much weaker than other adapter designs. I actually prefer the CMX aftermarket adapter because of this (and the larger +/- 1.5* available adjustability).

 

https://www.billybob...&cat=254&page=1

 

 

P.S. If you're missing the center of the driver face that often - playing length is likely too long.

[Hedgehog]

Dude, if the ferrule is loose, stop hitting the driver before it's fixed!

 

I had a Ping ferrule clued by a proshop club maker and hit one hard of the toe, the adpater whirled around the shaft, the clue gave in, it also broke the shaft internally. After it was clued back properly, it cracked during the swing. Couldn't game it anymore.

 

If you buy adapters, but the G30 version, it's not crap like the G400 adapter.

[dbdors]

Is Ping sending you a replacement adapter, or did you send the shaft back to Ping and they are replacing/installing the adapter? And who installed the adapter that you bought? Was it DIY or PGATSS?

 

Read this thread as well, http://www.golfwrx.c...r-wont-stay-on/

[Nessism]

High quality epoxy will help. 3M DP420/460 or maybe DP810. Standard shafting epoxy is fine as well. I'd stay clear of fast dry and "Tour set" epoxy though since the failure rate is much higher.

 

The inside of the adapter needs to be clean down to the base metal and the shaft down to carbon. Wipe with alcohol and allow to dry.

 

Use a touch of epoxy on the shaft tip and then install the ferrule. Use the adapter to drive the ferrule on the proper length and set depth. Remove shaft and wipe off epoxy from top of ferrule. Last step is to coat the inside of the hosel with epoxy as well as the shaft tip. Insert shaft, wipe off excess that pushes out, and then set the shaft aside until it drys.

[Sef]

If I'm understanding things right (pictures might help if I'm misunderstanding) If the shaft is rotating inside the adapter and coming loose to the point where you see separation of the ferrule - it's not the adapter that's failing. It's the glue joint. You don't really need a new adapter, you need a better glue joint.

 

One of the problems I have with the new Ping adapter is the rubber ferrule and the amount it extends into the adapter takes away from the length of the glue joint. It barely leaves 1" of tip length for the glue joint (if that) so much weaker than other adapter designs. I actually prefer the CMX aftermarket adapter because of this (and the larger +/- 1.5* available adjustability).

 

https://www.billybob...&cat=254&page=1

 

 

P.S. If you're missing the center of the driver face that often - playing length is likely too long.

 

Thanks for the link. Ping stated adapter failure because the adapter separated at the ferrule.

 

The toe shots aren’t common, between range and course time we are talking 3 toe strikes out of 120+ swings. But each miss caused significant rotation.

[Sef]

Is Ping sending you a replacement adapter, or did you send the shaft back to Ping and they are replacing/installing the adapter? And who installed the adapter that you bought? Was it DIY or PGATSS?

 

Read this thread as well, http://www.golfwrx.c...r-wont-stay-on/

 

Ping is sending a new adapter, PGATSS installed.

[Stuart_G]

Thanks for the link. Ping stated adapter failure because the adapter separated at the ferrule.

 

To them, it's all the same. But it's the glue that keeps the two together, the same glue that's holding the shaft in the adapter. Unless the metal of the adapter deforms or cracks (which doesn't sound like the case here), the adapter itself didn't really fail.

 

And when the two get separated, it usually not always feasible to reuse the ferrrule - and Ping doesn't distrubute the ferrules separate from the adapter - so they will always send you both for a replacement.

 

aftermarket replacement ferrules are available though if you ever want to reuse those "failed" adapters.

 

https://www.billybobsgolf.com/product.php?productid=18174&cat=254&page=1

 

The toe shots aren’t common, between range and course time we are talking 3 toe strikes out of 120+ swings. But each miss caused significant rotation.

 

As other's have cautioned, once the shaft starts to rotate in the adapter, please stop using it. It's no longer safe for you or those around you.

[dbdors]

Is Ping sending you a replacement adapter, or did you send the shaft back to Ping and they are replacing/installing the adapter? And who installed the adapter that you bought? Was it DIY or PGATSS?

 

Read this thread as well, http://www.golfwrx.c...r-wont-stay-on/

 

Ping is sending a new adapter, PGATSS installed.

If PGATSS had installed both, then it sounds like a bad prep/glue job. As mentioned above that adapter must be roughed up inside and cleaned as well as the shaft. I mentioned in a the previous thread that I have installed 6 adapters with no issue. But I always sanded and cleaned with acetone.

[dbdors]

.......Use a touch of epoxy on the shaft tip and then install the ferrule. Use the adapter to drive the ferrule on the proper length and set depth. Remove shaft and wipe off epoxy from top of ferrule. Last step is to coat the inside of the hosel with epoxy as well as the shaft tip. Insert shaft, wipe off excess that pushes out, and then set the shaft aside until it drys.

 

I find this difficult to do. The Ping ferrule on the G (G and G400) style adapter is a soft rubber like material with a lip that locks into the metal adapter (see the BillyBobs link above). My experience is that the ferrule must be installed on the adapter first then install the entire assembly on the shaft. There is no reason for them to separate if properly installed on a properly preped shaft and adapter.

[Sef]

I have a backup shaft I am now using. I ordered the CMX adapter and look forward to giving it a try.

 

It’s odd though, I have/had 3 shafts for this driver and the problem both times has been with the same shaft. Probably a coincidence. One of the other shafts was also installed by PGATSS and I know both techs there, they are very good. Never any issue with the other shaft.

[Bobb3rdown]

I must be lucky. Had a couple so high and off the toe that I thought that might happen. Haven't seen any rotation yet. Fingers crossed.

[Sef]

Wanted to post a follow up. I had the CMX adapter installed and it has been great, no issues. It is definitely more robust than OEM.

 

Ping being the great company that they are sent me 3 brand new adapters to replace the single one that failed. Things like that are what make me enjoy doing business with a company like Ping.

 

Sure I would rather the adapter be stouter on the front end, but they went above what was expected to try and make things right. Ping and Callaway have the best customer service I have seen.

[BCULAW]

Interesting to see I’m not the only one. Brand new G400 driver head flew off the shaft last weekend. Flew across a ditch and into a field of shoulder high blackberry bushes. After 30 minutes of searching and about a pint of lost blood, I found the shaft.

 

Pretty sure my mistake was putting glue on the shaft and hen inserting it into the adaptor. Pretty sure the rubber ferrule/sleeve got most of not all of the glue, leaving very little of the epoxy between the shaft and metal. I loaded the adaptor with epoxy this time before I inserted the shaft and its a solid bond.

[Bobb3rdown]

How do you like the cmx adapter? Did you get the one that is more adjustable then the standard ping adapter?

[Pleasedwith3putts]

.......Use a touch of epoxy on the shaft tip and then install the ferrule. Use the adapter to drive the ferrule on the proper length and set depth. Remove shaft and wipe off epoxy from top of ferrule. Last step is to coat the inside of the hosel with epoxy as well as the shaft tip. Insert shaft, wipe off excess that pushes out, and then set the shaft aside until it drys.

 

I find this difficult to do. The Ping ferrule on the G (G and G400) style adapter is a soft rubber like material with a lip that locks into the metal adapter (see the BillyBobs link above). My experience is that the ferrule must be installed on the adapter first then install the entire assembly on the shaft. There is no reason for them to separate if properly installed on a properly preped shaft and adapter.

 

My approach is to have the rubber collar installed on the shaft to about half the full insertion depth, so just shy of 0.75". Test with a dry fit that you can still engage the rubber collar fully from the position you have it in.

 

Apply a good coating of epoxy to the inside of the adapter and to the end 0.75" of the exposed shaft below the rubber ferrule. When you insert the shaft into the adaptor twist it generally to bond the two surfaces. As the end of the adaptor reaches the rubber ferrule you will probably have to clean some excess epoxy in order to engage the ferrule properly. If it is any further than about 0.75" up the shaft it will simply be too tight to push fully into the adaptor and if you don't clear excess epoxy it wont engage fully either.

 

I make sure the shaft is in a clamp at this stage and once the collar is fully engaged and flush with the adaptor, gently tap the adaptor on the end (where the screw thread is) with a rubber mallet. I also mark a point on the shaft as part of a dry install that is just above where the ferrule should be when the shaft is fully inserted so I know when to stop gently tapping.

 

I have never had a failure with this method as it ensures the maximum amount of epoxy is left for the bond. If you install the collar before installing the shaft, the collar will strip all the epoxy off the shaft component when it is being installed which I suspect is what ping are doing and causing the failures.

[mesomike]

Is Ping sending you a replacement adapter, or did you send the shaft back to Ping and they are replacing/installing the adapter? And who installed the adapter that you bought? Was it DIY or PGATSS?

 

Read this thread as well, http://www.golfwrx.c...r-wont-stay-on/

 

Don’t buy the g30 tip for a g or g400. It is slightly different and can eventually crack the hosel. I’ve been down that road. Who ever is installing your adaptor probably isn’t prepping them right. Even with a new adapter you have to hit it with a sandpaper scroll or a good wire brush, otherwise failure will happen. Been there too.

[MrFlapjack]

Interesting to see I’m not the only one. Brand new G400 driver head flew off the shaft last weekend. Flew across a ditch and into a field of shoulder high blackberry bushes. After 30 minutes of searching and about a pint of lost blood, I found the shaft.

 

Pretty sure my mistake was putting glue on the shaft and hen inserting it into the adaptor. Pretty sure the rubber ferrule/sleeve got most of not all of the glue, leaving very little of the epoxy between the shaft and metal. I loaded the adaptor with epoxy this time before I inserted the shaft and its a solid bond.

 

Ya a light coat inside the adapter, on the shaft tip and sides is key. No reason not to use it inside just don't go overboard.

[Sef]

How do you like the cmx adapter? Did you get the one that is more adjustable then the standard ping adapter?

 

It is working great. I bought the standard adapter because I play it @ 9*.

 

Is Ping sending you a replacement adapter, or did you send the shaft back to Ping and they are replacing/installing the adapter? And who installed the adapter that you bought? Was it DIY or PGATSS?

 

Read this thread as well, http://www.golfwrx.c...r-wont-stay-on/

 

Don’t buy the g30 tip for a g or g400. It is slightly different and can eventually crack the hosel. I’ve been down that road. Who ever is installing your adaptor probably isn’t prepping them right. Even with a new adapter you have to hit it with a sandpaper scroll or a good wire brush, otherwise failure will happen. Been there too.

 

I have never heard this before. Is there a thread on this somewhere?

[DLev45]

Seems safe to assume I’m dealing the the same issue here?

At first I had thought the ferrule was sliding down like it does sometimes with irons and it was strictly a cosmetic issue, but it has gotten worse and worse over the past week and I have been hitting progressively worse hooks over that time period, which is not my usual miss.

[Stuart_G]

Yes, same thing. And I'd suggest you stop using it until you get it fixed. Since much less of the shaft tip is in the adapter, that means there's a good chance you can break the shaft if you keep trying to use it.

[DLev45]

What's the turnaround time on being able to use it again once I get the adapter re-epoxied? 24 hours? 48 hours?

[Stuart_G]

Depends on the type of epoxy used and curing temp but 24 hours is fairly common safe amount of time.