How to use shaft clamps on small shafts

Clamping & Torquing Small Shafts

⚠️ Read This Before You Clamp Anything

This guide covers 8 mm to 5/8" shafts in air shocks, dampers, and air springs. Bad clamping can destroy shafts or tools. Done right, you’ll have firm grip with minimal force and zero damage.

1. Clean Everything Thoroughly

Wipe both shaft and clamp 2–3 times with 70% isopropyl alcohol, especially if handled or left out.

 Pro Tip: Lightly dampen your paper towel with alcohol for extra grip.

2. Always Wrap in Paper or Shop Towel

This adds friction. Standard paper towels work great.

3. Clamp Orientation: Vertical vs. Horizontal

Vertical clamping is safest. Horizontal is only okay if the clamp is wider than the body (our horizontal clamps are designed for that).

Never: Clamp large-diameter parts (e.g. shock body) horizontally. For those, see our Big Clamps Manual.

4. Low Torque, Watch for Loctite

Most parts unscrew at 8–10 Nm. If they don’t unscrew, red Loctite may be presen, don’t force it.

5. Breaking Loctite – Heat the Right Part

Use a heat gun or torch for 4-5 seconds.

Important: Heat the eyelet or threaded part, not the shaft. The eyelet expands and breaks the bond; heating the shaft tightens it and can damage the chrome finish.

6. Use the Right Tool to Loosen

Always use a proper open-end wrench (never a torque wrench) to unscrew eyelets. A 12.7 mm (½″) spanner fits best; a snug 13 mm can work but risks damage. A 10″ soft-jaw Knipex plier is ideal.

7. Re-Clean & Re-Wrap Before Torquing

Before final torque, wipe everything again with isopropyl, wrap a fresh layer of paper towel, and dampen with alcohol. If it still slips, tighten the clamp slightly more but don’t overdo it. Excess force can crack the clamp.

8. Measuring Torque Arm Length

Using our Luggage Scale Torque Calculator? Measure from the center of the bolt head to the exact point where the scale hook will pull, not the printed wrench length. That measurement is your torque multiplier; get it wrong and your torque is wrong.

9. Reinstalling an Eyelet or Small Part

Step 1: Check for Loctite
Most manuals specify a drop of red Loctite on the threads, apply one drop or 2 max, avoid seals.

Step 2: Torque Correctly
Hand-thread until snug, then finish with a torque wrench or our luggage scale method. Low-torque jobs (<10 Nm) demand accuracy, never guess or you can break the shaft.

⚠️ Torque Warning: Damper shafts need very low torque. Exceeding ~10 Nm can snap the shaft or strip threads, if in doubt, go 2Nm lower. Anyway there is loctite.

FOX Float X2 - Special Case

The Float X2 has extremely tight shaft-to-body clearance. It requires its own clamp and procedure, see this page for details.

 Thanks for reading through the entire guide, you’re all set to clamp and torque like a pro! Everything on this site is here to help you work smarter, safer, and more confidently.

⚠️ Disclaimer:

These instructions are provided as guidelines only. Improper use, over-torquing, or contamination can damage parts and void warranties. By proceeding with these steps, you accept our Terms of Service and assume full responsibility for your work.

Need help? Contact us