How to Re-Thread Track Spikes

If a spike won't seat firmly in the threaded receptacle in your track shoe's spike plate, first see if the spike has a worn or stripped screw neck. If so, you simply substitute a new spike. However, a new spike won't do the trick if the problem is a worn-out seat thread. So what do you in that case? You can't switch out the receptacles because, on modern track shoes, they are fused in the sole plate. None of the shoe manufacturers make re-threading tools. Unless you have a spare pair to fall back on, you might decide you need to buy new shoes. That is not only expensive but, if you're in the heat of a meet, highly unlikely. As a last resort, you could compete with a spike missing, but even one spike less than the full set designed into your shoes might cancel out your winning edge. Luckily, there is another way to save your sole plate.

Things You'll Need

  • Steel or ceramic spike
  • Needle nose pliers
  • Plumber's thread seal tape
  • Sharp knife or fingernail clip
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a fresh spike for the repair, then tear or cut a 3- or 4-inch piece from a spool of plumber's thread seal tape. That's right, a spool of that super-thin, white Teflon tape that you wrap around the threads of your faucet to make a water-tight fit for that new aerator. Just a few turns of the tape suffice to fill the gaps between two rigid, uneven metal surfaces and help them mate tightly.

    • 2

      Grasp the non-threaded part of the spike firmly with needle nose pliers in one hand. With the thumb and forefinger of your other hand holding the strip of tape, carefully apply one end of it to the spike's screw head. Make sure the tape covers all of the screw threads. Wind the tape carefully around the spike's screw head. Three or four times should do it. The screw threads' contours should still be discernible under the wrapping; a little Teflon goes a long way so don't overdo it.

    • 3

      Still holding the spike with the pliers, twirl the excess tape not covering the spike threads between your thumb and forefinger until it becomes string-like, hanging from the spike. Don't try to tear it off or you're apt to tear the tape wrapping the spike threads off with it. Cut off the leftover string instead with a sharp knife. A good finger nail clip will do the job, too.

    • 4

      Now screw the spike into the spike plate receptacle by hand and then carefully tighten it with your spike tool until firmly seated. The tape wrapping should help to marry up tightly what's left of the thread in the receptacle with the spike threads for a tight, serviceable fit.