Grommet cracked and broke loose on a Pure Strike 16x19.

Anyone seen this before? On the 11th cross. 2 string jobs and maybe. Was playing today and it just started to rattle around. Don't recall a shank.

I have seen this happen to older frames that have undergone many restringings. Your choices are limited. Replace grommets; tube the grommet; or ask retailer 'WTF!' and hope they'll do the right thing. I think this happens when there is a sharp edge where the grommet meets the frame. String pressure etc eventually cuts through the grommet.

Not usually a big deal. Get some flush cutters and it cut it off just don't cut the string.

Irvin said:

Not usually a big deal. Get some flush cutters and it cut it off just don't cut the string.

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That's what I figured... to keep using the racquet until the strings need to be cut out... Grommets for these are inexpensive and I'll probably just replace the side strip as the bumper guard and rest of the grommets are fine.

I've only been at stringing for a few years and never actually seen a grommet crack and break off like that. Usually it's on a knot or the corners where the grommet splits. Wondering if Babolat's best accountants changed the material composition.

I wouldn't even replace the side strip. If it is what I'm thinking it is just the tip of the grommet that is broken off flush with the frame and the string is still protected. It is just shear where the grommet broke and not he string.

May be its my computer, but on my screen I do not see any picture in the original post.

jim e said:

May be its my computer, but on my screen I do not see any picture in the original post.

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Must be contagious, LOL mine too or is it neither?

Contacted Babolat... they're sending me a set. Nice CS.

I will replace the side grommet strip. Upon further examination, 1 side of the grommet crack goes all the way the outside so the string can come in contact with the frame. Probably just being overly careful but I don't want the string to start rubbing against the frame.

I would tube it until the entire set needs to be replaced.

OP image has been made private for some reason. Requires user to be logged in.

Image should be viewable now...

I replaced the side strip grommet and after ~1Hr of hitting I hear a rattle and the grommet is broken the same way in the same spot. Again I do not recall shanking a ball.

I suspect when the grommet hole was drilled out, the tool head might have been dull so the hole might have sharp edges or burrs which might dig into the grommet enough to start a tear which after some hitting travels around the grommet until it cracks off.

This time the grommet is not split all the way through the hole so I will leave it but when I replace the grommets the next time I will take a small, round file and smooth out the hole first.

Gotta love modern quality control...