Potomac-Greg

I've got my holes expertly marked and drilled and need to install the d-rings. The back side of the hole is covered by padding (helmet is a Bell Racer 3 full face). The padding does not appear to be removable. Do I just pry back the padding where I need to reach the hole? That's what I plan to do, but want to make sure there isn't an easier/correct way. Thx.

Bill Verburg

I used a pair of those flat panel pry-bars, the lining is just glued in take your time

Kurt R

I used a putty knife, carefully pushed it in to separate the padding from the shell, then left it in and slid the nut in on the end of an open end wrench until it was lined up with the hole.

MUSSBERGER

That worked for me as well.

Astroman

+2

But it is NOT easy. Lots of profanity when I did it...

Potomac-Greg

That would explain why they skip that part in the instructions.

syncspeedinc

Use a heat gun while pushing on the glue around the edges of the helmet lining, it will make it much easier and you will not tear are stretch the lining. The wrench that HANS gives you to tighten the inside nut of the anchors is a perfect tool to pry the lining back with. I have installed hundreds of radio helmet kits and the heat gun is the way to go.

Gasser

I had to take out the entire foam shell. I had a simpson. Was a bitch but with it all out, installing the rings was a snap. These things should come with all this installed from the factory. It would be much easier for them to do it while they put the helmet together...

Good luck and wait until your done to break out the beer

Marc Shaw

I paid to get mine installed at Apex - best money I ever spent after cursing my way through it last time!

Marc

gbaker

Just use an adhesive on the outside; don't bother with the inside.

ApexPerformance

We never use a heat gun, just gently pry away the liner. I wiggle a HANS wrench or thin piece of metal between the liner and the shell to make room for the nutwasher.

I've found the Arai's are the most difficult to install unless you remove the liner. Good luck!

Bill L Seifert

I bought my HANS from SafeRacer, and they will NOT install it. On the way to Thunderhill, I stopped at the HANS dealer in Reno, and he does not either. Liability issue. I guess they don't have that problem in Canada. Arai may be hard, but take it from me ZAMP helmets are the worst, and the girl that answers the phone at HANS in Hotlanta agrees. I cussed a lot. Found out the Pro Anchors are easier to put in than the regular anchors. Cost me $60 to find that out. If anyone knows of a place in the lower 48 that will install the anchors on a new Helmet, please let me know. When I buy my SA2010, I will buy it from whomever will do the installation.

Bill Seifert

webbie

Bill, check my post, thumb up to Apex!

https://rennlist.com/forums/racing-a...-question.html

gbaker

We have heard unconfirmed reports of problems arising after HANS "anchors" have come loose during impact. In the future the installation will be either factory provided or DIY. It doesn't make sense for a middleman to take that risk.

ltc

A bit OT, but unless the helmet was supplied by the manufacturer as 'pre drilled' for HANS installation, then prying back the padding (let alone drilling the helmet in the first place) can be viewed by the helmet manufacturer as a violation of the warranty since the helmet has been altered from its homologated state.

I have been waiting for a legal challenge to this fact, but lucklily AFAIK, none has been put forth yet.

It has always been something that H&D do not talk much about (for obvious reaons), although they did get some helmet manufacturers to produce HANS ready (i.e. pre-drilled) helmets.

(BTW and a bit OT, but helmet manufacturers can view custom helmet painting as a violation of warranty, since improper paints/solvents can damage the shell of the helmet) Found this out from Arai after my son's wreck when his helmet was sent back to them for analysis...they deemed the helmet no longer acceptable for use.)