Quick Salomon 997 Equipe Driver Question

[CantDog]

So over the last week I've gone on a binding hording spree, and have picked up three pairs of 997s. All are the Equipe 997 Driver models, two are the grey and black ones, one is yellow and black. Two feature the driver suspension plate, and one is simply on a small set of yellow flat risers.

Anyway, I've read the 997 threads and am curious if I need to trackdown the rubber piece that goes under the toes for these to work, if I mount them flat. None of the risers will be used. I was a bit confused if these bindings necessitated rubber usage. heh.

Heres a picture of one of the pairs. The other is identical except for being grey, and the third was mounted flat on a set of small yellow risers.


So, can I just take them off, mount them flat on the ski, and go have fun? Or will I constantly be worrying about the multidirection release thingamabobby.

thanks guys.(mechmaster and caddydaddy I'll thank you ahead of time)

[marshalolson]

i have absolutely used them w/ out that little shim in the toe, so problem.
you will need shorter screws for the heels though. (check the riser screws, alot of those will work)

edit: the extra ramp angle is kinda nice if you usually mount your skis back a bit... helps drive the shovel, IMO

[CantDog]

How much of an excessive ramp angle are we talking about? One will probably go on a pair of axioms for now. Will it be very noticeable?

[ill-advised strategy]

thirded: no probs....

and also seconded: be careful with your screw length.....you know, being as how you'll be screwing without your rubber and all.

[Skip Dooley]

wow. those are beautiful.

[cantunamunch]

How much of an excessive ramp angle are we talking about?

Less than on Tyrolia or Marker.

One will probably go on a pair of axioms for now. Will it be very noticeable?

Not unless you mount back from factory (see^above) spec.

[marshalolson]

those would be perfect boot center on axioms. a shade more ramp will be nice on those guys.

those spacers a like 1mm think. don't worry about it, IMO

[CantDog]

Sweet, thanks guys. Three pairs of 997s for the lovely sum of 120 bucks.

Anyone want some suspension plates or flat yellow risers? Perhaps some sweet Fischer RCR and RC4 GS/SL skis?

[Mechmaster]

I've though about the old DR9 setup a little recently.

The Multicontrol mechanism is essentially the same as the 957 and 977, which did not have the Driver shim. All non-DR bindings of this vintage came with the Driver shim.

The issue at hand is not the height of the binding or the ramp angle, but rather the small rubber block which sits between the Driver shim and the bottom of the multicontrol mechanism. I don't recall if the DR9 plate has the rubber block or not.

Pull the binding off the ski and look at the DR plate under the toe. If there's no rubber block, there isn't an issue omitting the Driver shim (the binding functions the same mounted on the plate as it would flat on the ski). If there is, its your call; its likely the rubber block serves only as an absorption function, but it may also pretension the multicontrol mechanism.

Bindings are one place I would prefer to run as stock as possible. When I've done this conversion in the past, I located some x77 or x97 series Driver shims and installed them on the toe, creating a retail 997 in the exact configuration they were sold in.

[CantDog]

I've though about the old DR9 setup a little recently.

The Multicontrol mechanism is essentially the same as the 957 and 977, which did not have the Driver shim. All non-DR bindings of this vintage came with the Driver shim.

The issue at hand is not the height of the binding or the ramp angle, but rather the small rubber block which sits between the Driver shim and the bottom of the multicontrol mechanism. I don't recall if the DR9 plate has the rubber block or not.

Pull the binding off the ski and look at the DR plate under the toe. If there's no rubber block, there isn't an issue omitting the Driver shim (the binding functions the same mounted on the plate as it would flat on the ski). If there is, its your call; its likely the rubber block serves only as an absorption function, but it may also pretension the multicontrol mechanism.

Bindings are one place I would prefer to run as stock as possible. When I've done this conversion in the past, I located some x77 or x97 series Driver shims and installed them on the toe, creating a retail 997 in the exact configuration they were sold in.

The grey 997s I removed from another pair were mounted flat on some ~5mm yellow risers, no rubber underneath. Havent looked under the suspension plate, but the bindings are the same, so I'm not sure if I'll find anything different.

[Professor]

Those yellow risers are probably driver plates. They were just aftermarket shims as well as coming with a few binding models. Those shims actually mount to the ski and then the binding to the shim and also allowed movement of a binding without redrilling the ski. Finding a jig for those can be somewhat of a problem.

[CantDog]

Those yellow risers are probably driver plates. They were just aftermarket shims as well as coming with a few binding models. Those shims actually mount to the ski and then the binding to the shim and also allowed movement of a binding without redrilling the ski. Finding a jig for those can be somewhat of a problem.

Yep, those are the ones.

[skezen]

Resurected this old puppy -

What's the word on using the yellow plastic shims? Do I want to include these on my skis? I figure the extra height may prevent boot-out, but are there any disadvantages?

I measured 5/8 inch as the stack height at the toe including the yellow plastic plates - is this desireable? For comparison it is about the same thickness of a Look P12 I own.

These 997 are destined for a pair of Armada ARV 185, 95mm waist width and are for all mountain duty or doodie.

Advice appreciated...