Ezone AI 98 grommet and buttcap questions

[Alexh22]

To all Ezone AI 98 users , I need your input.
I got a new Ezone AI 98 but it is missing the throat grommet piece. I am wondering is the 2018 ez98 grommets interchangeable ? I cannot find any AI 98 grommets locally.
Secondly, the butt cap of the AI seems to be one solid piece without a door. I need to put silicone in the handle, how can I do it without damaging the cap ?
Any help is much appreciated.

 

[fritzhimself]

...................

 

[McLovin]

I got a new Ezone AI 98 but it is missing the throat grommet piece. I am wondering is the 2018 ez98 grommets interchangeable ?

The 2018 EZONE 98 is a different mold, so I doubt they are (however, if you're just looking for the throat grommet, it *may* be the same). I do know the Dr98 grommets are fully interchangeable w/ the Ai98 (because I've put Ai98 grommets into a Dr98 before).

The 2020 EZONE 98 throat grommet may work as well, but the side & bumper grommets likely will not as they did change those to use 'Linear Tech', which essentially keeps the grommet running straighter through the frame in certain spots instead of cutting at a hard angle.

 

[g4driver]

For clients with Yonex Ai 98/100, DR 98/100 frames, when I re-grommet and switch bumper guards, I don't replace the throat piece. Save the new throat pieces as replacement parts for the client.

Those throat pieces have always been the weak spot in Yonex frames. I actually got a EZone throat piece to fit in an RDIS 100 (white /burgundy frame). Had an Ai98 throat piece fail last week, and simply grabbed one from my stash of Yonex throat pieces.

 

[McLovin]

For clients with Yonex Ai 98/100, DR 98/100 frames, when I re-grommet and switch bumper guards, I don't replace the throat piece. Save the new throat pieces as replacement parts for the client.

I do the same thing. In fact, I may have a spare throat grommet for a Dr98 sitting around in my stringing room. I'll check tonight for you, @Alexh22.

 

[Jster]

DR 's rubber cant fit in ai throat even you try going in it deep. ezone 98 rubber should work, the yonex agent told me before(as far as i remember)

 

[Deleted member 369227]

To all Ezone AI 98 users , I need your input.
I got a new Ezone AI 98 but it is missing the throat grommet piece. I am wondering is the 2018 ez98 grommets interchangeable ? I cannot find any AI 98 grommets locally.
Secondly, the butt cap of the AI seems to be one solid piece without a door. I need to put silicone in the handle, how can I do it without damaging the cap ?
Any help is much appreciated.

https://imgur.com/a/R6hegS2

After carefully inspecting both throat pieces, it looks like Ezone 98 (2020) has a tad different spacing between the first/last two throat grommet holes. I am not very optimistic about fitting into Ai, but if you can borrow/purchase a replacement set, try to (gently) fit it into the Ai throat. If it doesn't fit, then you can always return/resell the replacement grommet set.

EZONE Ai/DR 98:

EZONE 98 (2020)

On the other hand, why don't you buy a replacement grommet set for Ai 98 or DR 98? Both should be still available for purchase (not sure about Tennis Warehouse, but I purchased two sets recently from a UK based depot of racquets and tennis equipment).

 

[Deleted member 369227]

DR 's rubber cant fit in ai throat even you try going in it deep. ezone 98 rubber should work, the yonex agent told me before(as far as i remember)

This is an entirely inaccurate statement. Grommet sets for DR 98 and Ai 98 are fully interchangeable.

I shared my experience with replacing worn-out grommets on Ai 98 with replacement grommet set for DR 98. Please see [this thread], and I am not the only forum member who did the same.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

-i actually fitted some other brands throat piece to this racquet
-tried one to see and it worked, had to shave a little but it fitted
-i can't recall what brand, but it did fit, so try to find an 8port throat piece (wilson, head etc...)
-i never got to string it, the racquet was cracked after all, but i did find a solution to the missing throat piece

 

[Alexh22]

oh Well

 

[mad dog1]

I will also continue to call around to see if anyone here in Canada has them. So far I cannot find any AI grommets. TW has them but shipping and brokerage may kill the deal. I will try to find out.

I’ll check. I may have a grommet set for the AI98...

 

[Jster]

This is an entirely inaccurate statement. Grommet sets for DR 98 and Ai 98 are fully interchangeable.

I shared my experience with replacing worn-out grommets on Ai 98 with replacement grommet set for DR 98. Please see [this thread], and I am not the only forum member who did the same.

cool. I shall not edit my statement to hide my error or my yonex agent mistake.

 

[mad dog1]

@Alexh22 i do have an extra set of new ai98 grommets. Feel free to PM me if you’re interested.

 

[Alexh22]

Is the ezone AI 98 LG the same frame as the “G version? It is a tad light but is it the same in terms of material / technology with the G ?

 

[25-TENNIS]

Is the ezone AI 98 LG the same frame as the “G version? It is a tad light but is it the same in terms of material / technology with the G ?

Yes, it's just like the current Ezones, 98 and 98L are the same except the weight difference.

 

[Alexh22]

Thank you for all who offered help on this matter. I ordered a full set of DR grommet and will test fit once received.

 

[g4driver]

@mad dog1 @Dragan or any other Yonex gurus,

Curious if there are any "hard black plastic" throat grommets (like the ones in the 2021 VCore 98 and VCore 97 Pro frames) made by Yonex that fit Ai 98, DR 98, Ezone 98 frames? Look at the black throat grommets for the VCore 98 and the Vore Pro 97 frames. The soft silicon yellow or blue throat grommets of the "two-piece throat grommet set" (a clear plastic bottom portion and a soft silicon portion) of Ai98 / DR 98 / Ezone 98 are the weak links in these grommet sets. They disintegrate and fall apart before the bumper guards or the rest of the grommets in these ill-conceived grommets.

Yonex VCORE 98 Racquet | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

Yonex VCORE PRO 97 330 (2019) Racquets | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

vs

https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Yonex_EZONE_98/descpageRCYONEX-305YEZ.html


As anyone tried a VCore 97 throat grommet in an Ai98 / DR 98 / EZone 98 and got the VCore 97 throat grommet to fit in an Ai98/DR98/Ezone 98?

 

[Deleted member 369227]

Curious if there are any "hard black plastic" throat grommets (like the ones in the 2021 VCore 98 and VCore 97 Pro frames) made by Yonex that fit Ai 98, DR 98, Ezone 98 frames? Look at the black throat grommets for the VCore 98 and the Vore Pro 97 frames. The soft silicon yellow or blue throat grommets of the "two-piece throat grommet set" (a clear plastic bottom portion and a soft silicon portion) of Ai98 / DR 98 / Ezone 98 are the weak links in these grommet sets. They disintegrate and fall apart before the bumper guards or the rest of the grommets in these ill-conceived grommets.

I understand that some people had bad experiences with these rubbery throat grommets, but I have to stress that it's not my experience at all.

Actually, whenever I had to replace grommets in my sticks, throat grommets were in great condition, without any significant sign of wear (you could tell only by their color that they differ from the new ones).

 

[g4driver]

I understand that some people had bad experiences with these rubbery throat grommets, but I have to stress that it's not my experience at all.

Actually, whenever I had to replace grommets in my sticks, throat grommets were in great condition, without any significant sign of wear (you could tell only by their color that they differ from the new ones).

I string 120+ frames a month ( over 7000 frames in the last five years) and I have a player with 7 Ai98 frames who broke 1.30mm Hyper G in less than 12 hours. I replace grommets on probably 10-15 of all frames per month that come in. The Yonex two-piece throat grommet piece is without a doubt the least durable of any throat grommet on any frame by any manufacturer.

Will order some HD Pro 97 grommets and test them myself and report back. Glad you aren't having the same experience my clients are having with the Yonex Ai98/DR98/Ezone98 grommets. I looked last night have had 200 various grommet sets in stock. Adding some HD Pro 97 sets will always find an owner some time.

 

[nvr2old]

Is the Ai 98 green and black and white model? If so I have some grommets you can have if you pay for shipping.

 

[g4driver]

Is the Ai 98 green and black and white model? If so I have some grommets you can have if you pay for shipping.

I have plenty of Ai98 Grommets probably a dozen sets at least. The problem with the grommets is the inferior throat piece of the set where Yonex uses a two piece system with fragile soft silicon (either yellow or blue) and the hard clear plastic piece in lieu of a one-piece hard plastic system used on probably 99.99999% of current frames. The softer silicone portion is a poor design as the silicon breaks down and tears easily to the point there is nothing between the frame and the string.

Post 1 of this thread shows these inferior yellow and blue silicon throat pieces.

Replacing worn out Yonex Ai 98 grommets with Dr 98 replacement set - success!

There was a discussion here on Talk Tennis forum whether Dr 98 grommets and Ai 98 are inerchangeable. As one of my Ai 98 racquets had badly damaged grommets (actually grommets were still in a good shape, but the bumper guard was badly worn out) I decided to check that out: I used the blue...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

So here is what I tried. Yes, the VCore 97 16x19 throat piece grommet will fit in an Ai 98 but the outer two grommets are shorter than needed in an Ai98/DR 98/Ezone 98. If you are using a poly in an Ai98/DR98/Ezone, yes, you can use a throat peice of the Yonex VCore 97 although the string hit very close to the frame. Edited : "This isn't an issue with poly strings, but will it be an issue with softer strings." (typed 'easy' instead of 'issue') I don't think so, so will be stringing an Ai98 with Triax 1.38mm mains / YPTA crosses for a client with seven Ai98s. If it works, great. If not, it is free for him. Tired of Yonex's failure to address a known issue.

Yonex could easily fix this for the Ezone frames, but they don't.

 

[Alexh22]

Will the new 2020 ez98 grommets fit the AI and dr ?

 

[g4driver]

Will the new 2020 ez98 grommets fit the AI and dr ?

I haven't tried that yet. I replaced another Ai98 throat piece grommet this week for WS with a VCore 97 throat piece and strung the Ai98 frame with Triax 1.38mm/ YPTA. No issues whatsoever.

 

[goodracket]

Those throat pieces have always been the weak spot in Yonex frames. I actually got a EZone throat piece to fit in an RDIS 100 (white /burgundy frame).

Do you know if any current Yonex '98' grommets will fit in a RDIS 200?

I have three older RDIS 200 (98 Lite) that has silicone grommet throat disintegration. I would like to buy a few 'throat grommets' or full sets if there is a fit.

Thanks.

 

[McLovin]

Will the new 2020 ez98 grommets fit the AI and dr ?

Probably not. The 2020 has “Linear Tech”, which has holes drilled so the strings have less ‘bend’ in most locations:

Fairly certain the Ai and Dr don’t have this.

 

[g4driver]

I have plenty of Ai98 Grommets probably a dozen sets at least. The problem with the grommets is the inferior throat piece of the set where Yonex uses a two piece system with fragile soft silicon (either yellow or blue) and the hard clear plastic piece in lieu of a one-piece hard plastic system used on probably 99.99999% of current frames. The softer silicone portion is a poor design as the silicon breaks down and tears easily to the point there is nothing between the frame and the string.

Post 1 of this thread shows these inferior yellow and blue silicon throat pieces.

Replacing worn out Yonex Ai 98 grommets with Dr 98 replacement set - success!

There was a discussion here on Talk Tennis forum whether Dr 98 grommets and Ai 98 are inerchangeable. As one of my Ai 98 racquets had badly damaged grommets (actually grommets were still in a good shape, but the bumper guard was badly worn out) I decided to check that out: I used the blue...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

So here is what I tried. Yes, the VCore 97 16x19 throat piece grommet will fit in an Ai 98 but the outer two grommets are shorter than needed in an Ai98/DR 98/Ezone 98. If you are using a poly in an Ai98/DR98/Ezone, yes, you can use a throat peice of the Yonex VCore 97 although the string hit very close to the frame. Edited : "This isn't an issue with poly strings, but will it be an issue with softer strings." (typed 'easy' instead of 'issue') I don't think so, so will be stringing an Ai98 with Triax 1.38mm mains / YPTA crosses for a client with seven Ai98s. If it works, great. If not, it is free for him. Tired of Yonex's failure to address a known issue.

Yonex could easily fix this for the Ezone frames, but they don't.

Here is an update to the Yonex Ai98 Throat Piece Grommet "predicament".

The Yonex Grommet GSVCP1EX works in the Ai98 as mentioned in my post. The newer grommet kits GST-002EX are slightly larger and will barely work but they take a heat gun and Aquaphor healing ointment