Questions regarding a loose sliding weight on a 2017 440 M1 driver head

[KMeloney]

A buddy gave me his 2017 TaylorMade 440 M1 driver (which I'm putting into play this year because of how well I hit it). It is an excellent set-up for me, but my buddy warned me that when it gets hot out, the rear (higher...lower) sliding weight can loosen during a round and require torquing. He put a dab of glue behind/under the weight to mitigate the issue, but I'd like to see if I can correct it altogether.

 

Some questions:

 

1) Does anyone know if this was a common issue with the 2017 M1 weights? (I have a 2016 M1, and didn't ever experience any similar issues with it.)

2) Is this likely an issue with the top-half of the weight, the bottom-half of the weight, or the torque screw? Or is it maybe an issue with the track the weight gets sandwiched to?

3) The red & black weights that came in my M1 look slightly different than the 2017 weights (the 2017 weights have a "step" cut into the top which looks to allow that side of the weight to fit under the lip along the front track and the rear track, and the '16 weights do not). IF the '16 weights fit under each lip in the '17 head, should they also fit and work in the heads in every other way? IOW, are the '16 and '17 weights interchangeable in the heads?

4) I've seen replacement weights for purchase online, but I don't think any are actual TM weights, I don't know the weight of each of the OEM weights, and I've read where people have broken these replacement screws. Know of "good" aftermarket weights (and the proper weight designation to get) online, or where I can source OEM TM weights for the '17 M1?

 

The answers to #2 and #3 above should shed light on whether I could swap out the faulty weight altogether with one from the '16 head, or whether I could at least swap in a screw, top, or bottom to make a Frankenweight that won't loosen on its own.

 

In the meantime, I don't want to experiment and sheer a screw or otherwise break things beyond easy repair.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jamande]

5 hours ago, KMeloney said:

A buddy gave me his 2017 TaylorMade 440 M1 driver (which I'm putting into play this year because of how well I hit it). It is an excellent set-up for me, but my buddy warned me that when it gets hot out, the rear (higher...lower) sliding weight can loosen during a round and require torquing. He put a dab of glue behind/under the weight to mitigate the issue, but I'd like to see if I can correct it altogether.

 

Some questions:

 

1) Does anyone know if this was a common issue with the 2017 M1 weights? (I have a 2016 M1, and didn't ever experience any similar issues with it.)

2) Is this likely an issue with the top-half of the weight, the bottom-half of the weight, or the torque screw? Or is it maybe an issue with the track the weight gets sandwiched to?

3) The red & black weights that came in my M1 look slightly different than the 2017 weights (the 2017 weights have a "step" cut into the top which looks to allow that side of the weight to fit under the lip along the front track and the rear track, and the '16 weights do not). IF the '16 weights fit under each lip in the '17 head, should they also fit and work in the heads in every other way? IOW, are the '16 and '17 weights interchangeable in the heads?

4) I've seen replacement weights for purchase online, but I don't think any are actual TM weights, I don't know the weight of each of the OEM weights, and I've read where people have broken these replacement screws. Know of "good" aftermarket weights (and the proper weight designation to get) online, or where I can source OEM TM weights for the '17 M1?

 

The answers to #2 and #3 above should shed light on whether I could swap out the faulty weight altogether with one from the '16 head, or whether I could at least swap in a screw, top, or bottom to make a Frankenweight that won't loosen on its own.

 

In the meantime, I don't want to experiment and sheer a screw or otherwise break things beyond easy repair.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

I know TM weights have an issue where the screws loosen over time. I don't believe the 16 and 17 weights are compatible. Fake weights are a fine option as long as the actual weights are accurate.

[Stuart_G]

17 hours ago, KMeloney said:

Some questions:

 

1) Does anyone know if this was a common issue with the 2017 M1 weights? (I have a 2016 M1, and didn't ever experience any similar issues with it.)

 

Common?  not really but also not unheard of.

 

17 hours ago, KMeloney said:

2) Is this likely an issue with the top-half of the weight, the bottom-half of the weight, or the torque screw? Or is it maybe an issue with the track the weight gets sandwiched to?

 

Probably a problem with the screw or the receiving threads (or both).  Most likely either wear, dirt or some other type of contamination is acting like a lubricant allowing it to slip.

 

First thing I would do, is remove the weight and screw and clean all parts with denatured alcohol and/or acetone.  Then go to any hardware store and get some blue loc-tite and use that when reassembling.   While you're at it it would likely be a good idea to clean the track from any dirt or debree before reassembly.

 

If that doesn't work (unlikely with the use of the loc-tite) then you might consider a new weight or screw.

 

 

Edited March 23, 2023 by Stuart_G

[KMeloney]

1 hour ago, Stuart_G said:

First thing I would do, is remove the weight and screw and clean all parts with denatured alcohol and/or acetone.  Then go to any hardware store and get some blue loc-tite and use that when reassembling.   While you're at it it would likely be a good idea to clean the track from any dirt or debree before reassembly.

 

Thank you, folks.

 

Stuart -- Is the blue Loc-tite the one that allows relatively easy removal? Does it require heat, or just more effort?

[Stuart_G]

1 minute ago, KMeloney said:

 

Thank you, folks.

 

Stuart -- Is the blue Loc-tite the one that allows relatively easy removal? Does it require heat, or just more effort?

 

Yes, blue is the one that is easily removable.   The loc-tite red is the one that requires heat to loosen the screw.

[KMeloney]

Thanks again!

[KMeloney]

On 3/22/2023 at 7:43 PM, Jamande said:

I know TM weights have an issue where the screws loosen over time. I don't believe the 16 and 17 weights are compatible. Fake weights are a fine option as long as the actual weights are accurate.

 

I'll consider the aftermarket-weight option if I know how many grams the factory weight is that I'd be replacing. Any idea what the factory '17 M1 weights measure each? (I also don't want to remove the weight in question before having a plan to deal with it, since it's currently tight in-place.)

[Jamande]

6 hours ago, KMeloney said:

 

I'll consider the aftermarket-weight option if I know how many grams the factory weight is that I'd be replacing. Any idea what the factory '17 M1 weights measure each? (I also don't want to remove the weight in question before having a plan to deal with it, since it's currently tight in-place.)

I do not. Id be willing to bet the info is online or in one of these forums though

[Stuart_G]

20 hours ago, KMeloney said:

 

I'll consider the aftermarket-weight option if I know how many grams the factory weight is that I'd be replacing. Any idea what the factory '17 M1 weights measure each? (I also don't want to remove the weight in question before having a plan to deal with it, since it's currently tight in-place.)

 

According to the specs the single sliding weight was 25 gm.

[KMeloney]

4 hours ago, Stuart_G said:

 

According to the specs the single sliding weight was 25 gm.

Stuart— I’m talking about the ‘17 440 M1 which has (2) weights/tracks. The front one and rear one look like they might be the same weight, but I’m not sure — and don’t know what that amount is anyway. 25g for each sounds high, given that there’s a 10g and a 15g in my ‘16 M1…

 

I appreciate your looking into it for me, since I haven’t yet been able to find the specs online. 
 

[Stuart_G]

4 hours ago, KMeloney said:

Stuart— I’m talking about the ‘17 440 M1 which has (2) weights/tracks. The front one and rear one look like they might be the same weight, but I’m not sure — and don’t know what that amount is anyway. 25g for each sounds high, given that there’s a 10g and a 15g in my ‘16 M1…

 

I appreciate your looking into it for me, since I haven’t yet been able to find the specs online. 
 

 

I made a mistake anyways, the spec pdf that I downloaded was not for just the driver, but also for the fairway and hybrid.  The 25 gm weight was what's in the fairway.

 

Doesn't list the weight of the driver sliding weights.

 

https://www.taylormadegolf.com/product-specs.html

 

But the article below has some info on them.

heel-toe weight - 15 gm

front-back - 12 gm for  the 460 and 15 gm for the 440.

 

https://www.golfwrx.com/417096/12-important-changes-to-the-2017-taylormade-m1-and-m2-drivers/

 

 

Edited March 25, 2023 by Stuart_G

[KMeloney]

Thank you so much. You are the man!