Pedal Stuck...

[dave123456]

My pedals are both stuck solid in the cranks.

I've been through several heavy duty spanners trying to free them - I'm aware of the reverse threads on the non-drive side.

Does anyone have any ideas on shifting them? it's a deore lx crank c2004 vintage and some aging spd pedals c1996.

I recall hitting the end of the crank, or maybe heating them with something? ideally i'd like to reuse both.

thank you

[Ian Lancs]

I used this http://www.halfords.com/motoring-travel/engine-oil... in a similar situation - after 5min soaking they practically fell out of the cranks

[dave123456]

thanks, looks like it's worth a go, I'm soaking them in gt85 at the moment, but it may not have quite the penetrative qualities of that.

[outnumbered]

Assuming that you're not trying to turn them the wrong way, my usual technique on a tight pedal is to get a spanner on the flats at such an angle that you can put the ball of your foot on the pedal, and your heel on the shaft of the spanner. Then just stand up and put all your weight on it.

[Get Karter]

I have removed a LH pedal by taking the crank off the bike and standing on the spanner whilst crank is resting on the floor (like the action of a pair of scissors closing).
The Chainset side is a bit trickier.

[anonymous-user]

Remove cranks, leave them in a bowl of coca cola (genuine coke is thebest but I find most brands work well) return after an hour or so, remove pedals. Wash everything thoroughly.

[Madness60]

My pedal story! It was a Triban 5 that I've had for about 18 months. It was on sale with Look Keo style pedals which were fitted to bike when I bought it. In true biker style I felt the need to upgrade my bike and couple of months ago got a Planet X RT57 with Force 22. Decided that Shimano SPD SLs were more comfortable so planned to put them on both bikes! Simple...oh what a fool I was!

Step 1

Check I know what I'm doing, and that I'm trying to unscrew in the correct direction. No movement at all

Step 2

Check again trying to move in the correct direction. Now with video evidence.

Step 3

More effort with rubbish spanner....spanner breaks!

Step 4

Check again about direction, try proper allen key, swearing starts.....get hammer, threaten bike pedals, no movement at all

Step 5

Check direction again!! Give up and spray WD40 over pedals with more threats.

Step 6

Next day, assume WD40 has worked magic. No luck. Nearly loose finger on chainring, more swearing of increased volume and content. Calm down and realise that a poor workman blames his tools. Buy new pedal spanner. Wait to arrive whilst even more WD40 soaked in.

Step 7

Check direction once more. Apply pedal spanner, still no movement, swearing now at apocalyptic levels! Decide more leverage is required, take bike to friendly local garage. Extender pipe now added to proper bike spanner, no movement!! More advice on direction but still sure its going in correct way.

Step 8
Garage suggest heat is required. No half hearted efforts any more so welding torch applied to heat pedal up. Strange crackly noise as pedal heats and strange smell. Still no movement, even the mechanics are now swearing!! More welding torch, more crackling, more smell and then finally..............pedal moves!! Nearly in tears of joy as the pedals are finally defeated!!

Step 9
Allow pedals to cool, glowing hot and realise that some fker has applied some sort of locking agent to the pedals and only heat from the welding torch was enough to break the bond!

Step 10
New pedals, copper fixed up are installed, pedal cranks now have a lovely patina of burnt on carbon so that I can never forget what happened!

Moral of the story, go straight to welding torch!

[ccr32]

Warm with hairdryer. Extension bar on the end of your 15mm spanner and give it some welly (helps if you have an assistant standing on the pedal depending on the length of your extension bar, oo-er!).

Job jobbed.

[MadDad]

Junk the pedals and the bike, buy a Colnago C60 with Speedplays........ HTH.......

[upsidedownmark]

IF the pedals have a hex 'socket' on the inside end of the pedal spindle (many do), I've always found that a much more reliable way of getting some real torque into the proceedings.

Also put the chain on the big ring, and cover it with rag. Significantly reduces the chances of amputation

[Craikeybaby]

Are you using a rpoper pedal spanner, or just a 15mm spanner you have in the garage? I really struggled with the latter option and (broken the hex bit adapter on my socket set, using the hex bit on the back of the pedals) but got them off easily with the proper tool.

[Batfink]

I just used an electric impact gun and a hex socket on mine. I cant be bothered with effort.

[Kermit power]

I rather fear I have this joy to look forward to, except I've got to figure it out for carbon cranks.