cracked frame

[TAV]

I TIGHTENED MY SEATPOST TODAY AND REALISED THAT I MUST HAVE OVER TIGHTENED IT AND THERE IS A SPLIT IN THE FRAME CAN IT BE FIXED OR DOES IT COST LOADS BECAUSE ITS ONLY MY WINTER BIKE.

 

[Tommy2]

YAAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!!

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

What material is the frame

 

[TAV]

YES ITS ALUMINIUM

 

[Rob3rt]

WTF DID YOU TIGHTEN IT WITH? A 6FT LONG ALLEN KEY?

 

[TheDoctor]

Shhh! No need to shout...

Not worth trying to fix an alloy frame, sadly.

 

[TAV]

CHEERS FOR THE REPLY'S LOOKS LIKE ILL HAVE TO STRIP IT DOWN AND HAVE A LOOK FOR A CHEAP FRAME.

 

[biggs682]

can you not put a longer post in that goes well past the split along with a secondary clamp near the split ?

wont win any prizes for looks but it keeps the frame on the frame ?

 

[TheDoctor]

It's getting the clamp past the seat stays and such that'll be the problem there.
Other than that the idea is sound

 

[derrick]

[QUOTE 2468566, member: 30090"]Take the CAPS lock off.

Aluminium frames can welded but its more trouble than its worth.

When you buy a new frame get a torque wrench as well.[/quote]
Aluminum is not hard to weld, there are plenty of Aluminum welders around.

 

[TheDoctor]

Heat-treating it afterwards might be a problem. Add in the cost of a respray, and I'd suggest it's not worth doing. Plus, if a frame has been split by tightening up a seat post there's something up with it. I'd expect the seat bolt to shear long before the frame split.

 

[Rob3rt]

Heat-treating it afterwards might be a problem. Add in the cost of a respray, and I'd suggest it's not worth doing. Plus, if a frame has been split by tightening up a seat post there's something up with it. I'd expect the seat bolt to shear long before the frame split.

Yup, if it was a carbon seatpost you would expect a ~(not so) nice crushing sound. If it was an aluminium or steel post, unless it was the wrong size, 9/10 cases the bolt would shear.

Don't know about anyone else, but when I changed to using a torque wrench, I found that 5-7 Nm typical on a seatpost clamp is actually a fair bit more than is required and more than I had every previously tightened things down. It is more than what I would call "nipping it up".

 

[Davidc]

Not worth the risk. New frame and transfer all the bits across.

 

[sidevalve]

If it is a only a winter bike and looks don't matter the "respray" can be done with a brush. If the split is not long then drill a 1/8 [or smaller] hole at it's very end to "stop" the split and fit a two piect steel clamp around the tube [the sort of thing can be found in car exhaust supplies]. Sadly if the split is more than an inch or so it's bad news. Ali can be welded as above but the cost will be more than a cheap second hand frame.

 

[Tim Hall]

I'm having trouble visualising how overtightening the seat post bolt has split the seat tube. Are you sure it's not a slot in the tube to facilitate seat post fitting? Pictures would be useful.