It is always good to try and warranty something of that nature as soon as possible. Many people wait until the month before ski season and bitch that a warranty claim takes 2 months. Beat the rush and do it now. Most brands require you do it through an actual authorized dealer so that they can coordinate with said dealer and give you an RA (return authorization number) This is helpful to have if you need to call a company and want to check up on the status of your warranty or have additional questions. Especially in a situation like yours, where an actual product has just broken down, they are usually very helpful. I have snapped the heel plate on Salomon binders and they promptly sent out a new set.
