Seized Pedal Arms
Discussion
I'm busy rebuilding my old Kona to be used for commuting.
The pedal arms simply refuse to come off the bb axle.
This wouldn't really be a problem, as the bike is pretty much worthless and won't see anything other than light road use.
The problem I have is that the bb, a cartridge bearing type, has decided to unscrew itself from the frame.
The only way to get the tool in to tighten the cups is to remove the immovable pedal arms.
I've tried pentrating oil brute force to no avail.
Any pearls of wisdom for this?
I've stripped the removal threads on pedals on old bikes, so I don't want to do that again.
Would applying heat from a blow torch help?
The pedal arms simply refuse to come off the bb axle.
This wouldn't really be a problem, as the bike is pretty much worthless and won't see anything other than light road use.
The problem I have is that the bb, a cartridge bearing type, has decided to unscrew itself from the frame.
The only way to get the tool in to tighten the cups is to remove the immovable pedal arms.
I've tried pentrating oil brute force to no avail.
Any pearls of wisdom for this?
I've stripped the removal threads on pedals on old bikes, so I don't want to do that again.
Would applying heat from a blow torch help?
chrisj said:
I'm busy rebuilding my old Kona to be used for commuting.
The pedal arms simply refuse to come off the bb axle.
This wouldn't really be a problem, as the bike is pretty much worthless and won't see anything other than light road use.
The problem I have is that the bb, a cartridge bearing type, has decided to unscrew itself from the frame.
The only way to get the tool in to tighten the cups is to remove the immovable pedal arms.
I've tried pentrating oil brute force to no avail.
Any pearls of wisdom for this?
I've stripped the removal threads on pedals on old bikes, so I don't want to do that again.
Would applying heat from a blow torch help?
You could try heating it up, however being as the crank arms aluminium I'd be a bit carefull about that. The pedal arms simply refuse to come off the bb axle.
This wouldn't really be a problem, as the bike is pretty much worthless and won't see anything other than light road use.
The problem I have is that the bb, a cartridge bearing type, has decided to unscrew itself from the frame.
The only way to get the tool in to tighten the cups is to remove the immovable pedal arms.
I've tried pentrating oil brute force to no avail.
Any pearls of wisdom for this?
I've stripped the removal threads on pedals on old bikes, so I don't want to do that again.
Would applying heat from a blow torch help?
I had the same problem a few years back and ended up having to trash the cranks to get them off. Just keep soaking with pentrating oil and see that happens. I presume you're using a crank extractor by the way?
T
Have you got something like a ball-joint seperator?
With the bike upside down, put a protective rag around the frame and crank, then in the gap between (assuming is is big enough) position the seperator so that each 'fork' is either side of the BB spindle. Give it a good thwack with a lump hammer and retrieve the crank from the broken patio door window.
With the bike upside down, put a protective rag around the frame and crank, then in the gap between (assuming is is big enough) position the seperator so that each 'fork' is either side of the BB spindle. Give it a good thwack with a lump hammer and retrieve the crank from the broken patio door window.
Have you tried putting the bolts back in but not tight and then having a gentle ride outside your house, that might budge them. The most elegant solution and the one I use is to get a crank puller it never fails but then you say you've stripped the threads in the past so if the puller looks like it's not going to work alone wind it up tight and then use a soft faced mallet to tap the hub of the crank at 90 degrees to the line of the BB axle (remember though that any shock will feed into the BB so don't go mad) - I've seen this done on stuck hubs on Salsbury car axles. As with any taper lock you may be in for a wait and may have to wind up the puller and keep tapping over a period of time until it un-seizes.
Ideal opportunity to replace the BB too !!
Tony
Ideal opportunity to replace the BB too !!
Tony
I had a similar problem once and it was due to there being a spacer left in the crank (that the bolt tightened down onto) that made it impossible to remove.
Removed the spacer... and the crank came off easily
If all fails, ask to borrow a bike shop's crank extractor. It'll have a long arm and be easy.
Removed the spacer... and the crank came off easily
If all fails, ask to borrow a bike shop's crank extractor. It'll have a long arm and be easy.
I managed to get the pedal arm off last night using a 3 arm hub puller.
Didn't work for the cranks though, I couldn't get the puller to stay still.
Tried heat, no luck.
More oil, still no luck.
I think I'll probably bring it to work and try and press it out.
A 50Te ram should have enough capacity to either pop them apart, or obliterate both items.
I'm at that 'nothin to loose' stage now anyway, so may aswell give it a try.
Didn't work for the cranks though, I couldn't get the puller to stay still.
Tried heat, no luck.
More oil, still no luck.
I think I'll probably bring it to work and try and press it out.
A 50Te ram should have enough capacity to either pop them apart, or obliterate both items.
I'm at that 'nothin to loose' stage now anyway, so may aswell give it a try.
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