Removing ski bindings is a pretty easy task that you can do at home if you have the proper tools. You can also take your skis to a ski shop and have the pros remove your bindings for you.
I’m Christine, and I’ve been on the slopes for decades. I’ve learned how to maintain my own gear over the years, and removing ski bindings is a pretty simple DIY task that I’ve done many times.
This post will show you how to remove ski bindings. I’ll provide you with step-by-step instructions for getting this done correctly while also explaining when and why you might want to do it.
Let’s jump in.
Contents
What You’ll Need
Removing ski bindings is pretty simple, and if you have basic tools around the house, you should have everything you need to make it happen.
Here are all the materials you’ll need to remove ski bindings:
- Flathead screwdriver (for prying)
- Phillips screwdriver (for removing mounting screws)
- Small bowl
- Soldering gun (if mounting screws are covered in glue/epoxy)
- Posi-drive screwdriver (optional)
*Notes: Many binding mounting screws will have posi-drive screw heads. This looks a lot like a Phillips screwdriver but is slightly different to give you increased torque and power. If you have a posi-drive screwdriver, that’s great. But you can use a Phillips to remove bindings too.
How to Remove Ski Bindings
Here are the steps to remove ski bindings currently mounted on skis.
Step 1: Place Skis on Working Surface
While it’s possible to remove ski bindings just about anywhere, you should try to place your skis on a stable working surface to make the job much easier.
I think a table or counter is the ideal surface, and this will lift the skis off the ground, so they are easier to work on.
Make sure the surface is relatively clean and clear of debris so you don’t damage the base of your skis while you are removing the bindings.
Step 2: Remove Covers
Your ski bindings will have plastic or metal covers that sit in place over the mounting screws in the back and/or front areas. These need to be removed for you to have access to the screws that hold the bindings in place on the skis.
The first step is to locate the covers. They will look different on every binding model but are usually right behind the very end of the hardware. Look behind the binding area that flips up when you step into them.
Once you locate this, you need to pry it open with a flathead screwdriver. Be careful and take your time here to limit any chance of damage. Work your way around the cover to loosen it up and twist the screwdriver to get leverage.
Step 3: Remove Screws
Once the covers are removed, you will see the mounting screws keeping the bindings attached to your skis. These need to be removed to remove the bindings.
Using the Phillips or posi-drive screwdriver, remove every mounting screw from the binding mounting plate. There are usually two in the back, two in the front, and sometimes two in the middle.
Again, the exact location and number of mounting screws will vary from binding to binding. But you need to get all of them out for the bindings to be removed. Be sure to place the removed screws in a small bowl to keep track of them.
Take your time with these and be careful. You don’t want to strip the screws or lose them because then your bindings might get stuck, or you’ll need new screws.
Some people like to use a screw gun, but I think you risk stripping the screws this way. I like to use a basic hand driver.
Step 4: Removing Screws with Glue/Epoxy
You might run into an issue of having glue or epoxy on top of the screw head once you have the covers removed. This glue can help keep the screws in place while also limiting rust and moisture from getting into your skis.
To allow the screwdriver to slip into the screw head, you need to remove this. To do this, you’ll need a soldering gun or some other sort of hot-tipped device.
Heat up the soldering gun and touch it to the screw head to melt the glue. Then unscrew with a screwdriver. Repeat this for any other screws that are covered in epoxy.
Tips & Advice
The most common reason to remove ski bindings is to install a new pair. You can upgrade your bindings pretty quickly without taking your skis into the ski shop when you know how to do it yourself.
You also might want to take off your bindings to repair them, although I would let certified experts handle this rather than trying to fix them up yourself. You don’t want to mess around, and binding repair is not very easy.
When removing the mounting screws from your bindings, you can expose the core of your skis to moisture and debris. That’s why it’s essential to do this job on a table or bench rather than in the snow. You can cause damage to your skis if you’re not careful.
If you are replacing old bindings with new ones, all you need to do is reverse the process to install the new bindings. If the mounting holes don’t line up correctly, they’ll need to be drilled. That’s best left to the techs at the ski shop.
Final Thoughts
Removing ski bindings is pretty simple. If you have standard tools around the house, you should be able to get old bindings off in a matter of minutes. Take your time to prevent stripping the screws, and don’t get moisture into the screwholes!
