Is my racket cracked?

[H. Ju]

Here's the diagnosis-
when I hold my racket, face up, with a normal grip position, and have my wrist firm and shake(?, like when you check the tension by boucing it with your left hand), it makes a ticking sound. And the sound is getting bigger.

I checked the butt cap under the grip, it is in perfect position, stapled hard and firm. I've have my racket cracked at the head before, but crack on the handle, is my racket done? (actually both of them)

 

[Steve Huff]

Unusual for 2 rackets with the same diagnosis, but it's probably just some excess material from when the holes were drill getting inside the frame. Some come right out easily, while others are nearly impossible to get out. If it's still under warranty, I'd send it back. If not, you'll probably have to take the butt cap off and see if you can shake it out. If that doesn't do it, there are other ways, but they are more involved.

 

[Bubba]

Here's the diagnosis-
when I hold my racket, face up, with a normal grip position, and have my wrist firm and shake(?, like when you check the tension by boucing it with your left hand), it makes a ticking sound. And the sound is getting bigger.

I checked the butt cap under the grip, it is in perfect position, stapled hard and firm. I've have my racket cracked at the head before, but crack on the handle, is my racket done? (actually both of them)

could be a broken grommet

 

[FuManchu]

Had the same sound with my new LM Radical. Called Head and they said that it was just some trapped pieces of graphite from drilling. Opened the trap door and sure enough a tiny piece of graphite fell out.

 

[goran_ace]

Probably not a crack and likely just some loose material inside the frame or handle.

 

[Zefer]

Most probably not a crack. This has happened to a few head racquets I know of, one of which was my Head Flexpoint S10. It's most likely loose graphite from when they drilled the holes for the grommets to go in. Although it could be loose graphite from a break/crack inside the racquet, it is unlikely.

To remove it, just open the the trap door and it should fall out... Here's a video How-To regarding the matter;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY31rejvHNw

They guy who made that video is a member of these boards and has loads of great videos to watch regarding racquet stringing, gripping and maintenance.