To replace worn FlickLock shims Black Diamond Pursuit FLZ poles use, you only need a Phillips #1 screwdriver, the official Black Diamond FlickLock shim kit, and about ten minutes per lever. Collapse the pole fully, unscrew the FlickLock cam bolt, slide the worn plastic shim out of the lever housing, drop the new shim in with the curved face toward the shaft, reinstall the bolt, and tension it until the lever closes with firm thumb pressure but does not slip under body weight. That single repair restores full clamping force, eliminates the telescoping creep that plagues older Pursuit FLZ poles, and costs less than five dollars per joint.
Below is the full 2026 walkthrough, including the exact torque feel, how to identify a shim that is actually worn versus a lever that is merely under-tensioned, and what to carry the kit in on multi-day trips so you can do the fix at camp.
Why FlickLock Shims Wear Out on the Pursuit FLZ
The Pursuit FLZ uses a Z-pole folding architecture combined with two FlickLock Pro levers that adjust the upper shaft for 20 cm of fine length tuning. Each lever clamps the carbon or aluminum shaft against a small replaceable polymer wedge, the shim. Every time you close the lever, the shim deforms slightly. After 200–400 trail hours, or sooner in gritty alpine conditions, the shim loses thickness and the lever can no longer generate enough friction. Symptoms include the pole collapsing under load on descents, a lever that flops closed with no resistance, or a visible gap between the cam and the shaft when the lever is open.
Many hikers assume the lever itself is broken and order a complete FlickLock assembly. In 90% of cases the cam, bolt, and aluminum housing are fine and only the shim needs replacement. Learning to replace worn FlickLock shims Black Diamond Pursuit FLZ owners rely on saves about $25 per pole and keeps the original factory-matched hardware in service.
Parts and Tools You Need
The official replacement part is the Black Diamond FlickLock Pro Shim Kit (small, fits Pursuit FLZ, Distance Carbon FLZ, and Trail Pro Shock). Each kit includes four shims and four stainless cam bolts. Confirm you are buying the Pro shim, not the original FlickLock shim, since the Pursuit FLZ exclusively ships with Pro levers from 2019 onward.
- Phillips #1 screwdriver (a #2 will cam out and chew the bolt head)
- Black Diamond FlickLock Pro Shim Kit, small
- Soft cloth and isopropyl alcohol
- Optional: a magnetic parts tray so the cam bolt does not vanish into trailhead gravel
Step-by-Step Replacement
1. Collapse and Inspect
Fully collapse the Pursuit FLZ by pressing the push-button release at the handle and folding the lower sections. With the upper shaft retracted, flip the FlickLock lever open. Inspect the white or gray polymer shim seated inside the lever cradle. A healthy shim has a uniform curved face about 2 mm thick. A worn shim shows shiny compression marks, cracks at the corners, or a measurable dish in the center.
2. Remove the Cam Bolt
Hold the lever open at 90 degrees so the cam clears the bolt head. Using the Phillips #1, turn the bolt counter-clockwise. It is a short bolt, three or four full rotations, and it comes out completely. Set it on your magnetic tray. Do not lose the small tension nut on the opposite side of the housing, which often falls free once the bolt clears.
3. Slide the Old Shim Out
With the bolt removed, the shim slides out the side of the housing. If it is stuck from compressed grit, push it from the opposite side with the tip of the screwdriver. Wipe the housing channel with the alcohol-dampened cloth so the new shim seats cleanly.
4. Install the New Shim
Orient the new shim so the curved face points inward toward the pole shaft and the flat back rests against the lever cradle. The shim only fits one way. Press it home until it sits flush with both housing edges.
5. Reinstall the Bolt and Tension
Thread the cam bolt back through the housing and into the tension nut. Tighten until the lever begins to offer resistance when you try to close it. Close the lever fully. It should require firm thumb pressure, snap closed with an audible click, and leave no gap between the cam and shaft. If it closes too easily, open the lever and tighten the bolt a quarter turn. If you cannot close it at all, back the bolt off an eighth of a turn. Most hikers land the correct tension within three iterations.
6. Load Test
Extend the pole to your normal length, plant the tip, and lean about 30 kg of body weight onto the grip. The shaft should not slip. If it does, repeat step five with another quarter turn. If the lever still slips at maximum tension, the shim is correctly installed but the carbon shaft itself may be scored, which is a separate issue covered in our trekking pole shaft inspection guide.
Carrying the Repair Kit on the Trail
A shim kit weighs almost nothing, but the Phillips driver and spare bolts deserve a dedicated pocket so you can do the repair at a windy ridge break without losing parts. A daypack with structured organization beats a single-cavity ultralight sack for this purpose, since you want the repair kit in a fixed location and not buried under a rain shell.
| Pack | Capacity | Best For | Pole Carry | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maelstrom 40L Waterproof Daypack | 40 L | Multi-day with repair kits and shelter | Dual side compression straps | View on Amazon |
| 25L Lightweight Waterproof Daypack | 25 L | Day hikes carrying spare shims | Side mesh pockets fit folded FLZ | View on Amazon |
| MIYCOO Ultra-Lightweight Packable | 20 L | Stashable spare for fastpacking | External lash points | View on Amazon |
Maelstrom 40L Waterproof Hiking Daypack with Rain Cover
The Maelstrom 40L is the pack we recommend when you are heading out for two or more days and want the repair kit accessible without unpacking the main compartment. The dual side compression straps cinch the Pursuit FLZ horizontally across the lower panel when stowed, and the front zippered pouch is the perfect size for a shim kit, spare bolts, and a small multi-tool. The included rain cover keeps grit out of the FlickLock channels during shoulder-season storms. Check current price on Amazon.
25L Lightweight Waterproof Hiking Daypack
For day hikers who only want to carry one spare shim and a driver, the 25L Lightweight Waterproof Daypack offers a cleaner profile and lighter carry. The side mesh pockets stretch around a folded Pursuit FLZ in transit, and the internal sleeve doubles as a flat home for the shim card so it does not curl. See it on Amazon.
MIYCOO Ultra-Lightweight Packable Hiking Backpack
The MIYCOO packs down to fist size and lives in the brain of a larger pack as an emergency spare. If you ever delaminate a primary pack on a long trip, the MIYCOO can carry your poles, repair kit, and water back to the trailhead. View on Amazon.
Preventing Repeat Shim Wear
Three habits dramatically extend shim life on the Pursuit FLZ. First, rinse the FlickLock housings under a tap after sandy or muddy hikes. Embedded grit grinds the shim every time the lever closes. Second, fully open the levers before adjusting length, and never force a stuck shaft through a partially open clamp, which scores both shim and shaft. Third, store the poles loosely collapsed with levers open at home so the shim is not under constant compression for months between trips.
If you hike more than 80 days a year, plan to replace worn FlickLock shims Black Diamond Pursuit FLZ poles use once per season as preventive maintenance. The kit is cheap and a fresh shim is the cheapest insurance against a pole collapse on an exposed descent. For a deeper look at season-long pole care, see our pole maintenance checklist.
When the Shim Is Not the Problem
If a fresh shim and correctly tensioned bolt still allow slippage, three other failure modes are possible. The cam bolt threads may have stripped, in which case the kit’s replacement bolt solves it. The aluminum housing may be cracked at the pivot, which is rare but visible under good light. Finally, the carbon shaft itself may have polished smooth at the clamp zone after years of use, leaving nothing for the shim to bite. Shaft replacement is a separate Black Diamond service item and worth pricing against a new pole. Our Pursuit FLZ versus Distance Z comparison can help if you are weighing repair against upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I replace the FlickLock shims on Black Diamond Pursuit FLZ poles?
For weekend hikers, every 200–400 trail hours, which usually works out to one season of heavy use or two seasons of moderate use. Thru-hikers and guides should plan on mid-trip replacement and carry a spare kit. Inspect the shim any time the lever feels less crisp than when new.
Can I use FlickLock shims from older Black Diamond poles in the Pursuit FLZ?
No. The Pursuit FLZ uses FlickLock Pro shims, which are slightly thicker and shaped differently than the original FlickLock shim used on poles before 2015. Using the wrong shim will either prevent the lever from closing or leave it permanently loose. Always order the FlickLock Pro shim kit in the small size for the Pursuit FLZ.
What torque should I use on the FlickLock cam bolt?
Black Diamond does not publish a torque figure because the spec is feel-based. Tighten the bolt until the lever closes with firm thumb pressure and an audible click but stops short of needing a palm slam. A good benchmark is leaning your full body weight onto the planted pole without slip. If you are using a torque driver out of curiosity, most users land around 1.5 to 2 Nm, but adjust by feel.
Why does my Pursuit FLZ still collapse after I replaced the shim?
Three causes: the bolt is under-tensioned, the new shim is installed backward with the flat face toward the shaft, or the carbon shaft itself is worn smooth in the clamp zone. Re-tension first, then check shim orientation, then inspect the shaft for a polished band. If the shaft is glossy where the lever grips, it needs replacement or a new pole.
Do I need a special tool to remove the FlickLock cam bolt?
No, a Phillips #1 screwdriver is all you need. Avoid a #2 because the head will cam out and round the screw, making future service harder. A short-handled stubby driver works best in the field since you do not need much leverage and a long shaft can lever the lever housing if you are not careful.
Can I do this repair in the field during a backpacking trip?
Yes. The repair is genuinely a five-to-ten minute job if you have the shim, bolt, and driver. Sit down on a flat surface, work over a cloth or stuff sack so dropped parts do not roll away, and keep the spare bolt within reach. Many guides carry a spare shim kit in their first aid pouch alongside leukotape and a needle.
Is it worth repairing FlickLock shims or should I buy new poles?
Repair almost always wins on cost. A shim kit costs under $5 and restores like-new clamping force. New Pursuit FLZ poles in 2026 are around $170. Replace only if the carbon shaft itself is damaged, the lever housing is cracked, or the cork grip has fully delaminated. The shim is a maintenance item, not a sign of pole failure.
Key Takeaways
- Choosing the right replace worn FlickLock shims Black Diamond Pursuit FLZ means matching capacity and output ports to your actual devices
- Always check actual watt-hours (Wh), not just watts — runtime depends on Wh, not peak output
- Also covers: pursuit flz shim replacement guide
- Also covers: fix slipping flicklock on black diamond folding poles
- Also covers: black diamond pole shim repair tutorial
- Compare price-per-Wh across models to find the best value for your budget