Making pedel removal easier.

[PaulSecteur]

Hi,

One of my pedels is being a right git to get off. Luckily, I dont need to remove it now, I was only going to take it off while giving everything a good clean down.

However, it will have to come off one day so I might even end up taking it to the LBS as the allen keys I have are bending a fair bit with my 90kg bouncing on them.
The pedels are shimano a600s. There is no way to get a spanner on them like you can with the m520s, it is all done by a hex head on the axle of the pedel.

So, once its off is there anything I can do to stop this happening again? When I put them on I did do them tight, but not this tight!

 

[Baggy]

Don't forget that both pedals undo in the same direction (turn backwards towards the seat stays)! You could try supporting the pedal on a block of wood and giving the allen key a sharp whack with a mallet - but it's a bit fiddly.

I just do my pedals up finger-tight and then give them a pinch with an allen key/spanner to tighten - the last pair I removed had been on for 7 years and came off without a fight.

 

[chillyuk]

Get an allen key that fits into a socket so you can use a ratchet handle. When refitting the pedal a wipe of copper ease grease on the threads will make it easier next time to remove.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Grease, grease, and then when you think you've put enough on, use a bit more grease

Seriously though, I spray the threads with a bit of general purpose grease, and while they can still be bugger to crack, I've not got one stuck yet, (keeps fingers crossed).

I do prefer using a pedal spanner though. My SPD's on the fixed have allen key fixings as you've described, and I usually lose a couple of knuckles when I remove them


[EDIT] oops, slight cross with above post

 

[TheDoctor]

Or use an extension bar on the allen key. A long bit of pipe should do it.

 

[Red Light]

You are trying to undo it the correct way aren't you?

To get it off otherwise heat the end of the crank first It will expand the alloy crank off the steel axle and make it easier to undo. Usually its easier to put the allen key in so its almost parallel to the crank and then squeeze them together. If you can't get enough grunt that way clamp the crank in a vice and use an allen head in a big socket set spanner to get some force on it.

 

[chris grace]

As has been said ,to prevent this use lots of grease.A tip for removing them is to pour a kettle of boiling water over the end of the crank this will cause the alloy crank to expand a bit quicker than the steel axle and will free it up.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Hi,

Thanks for the tips.

Im sure Im undoing them correctly as I use the well rememberd phraqse for pedels "Back `em off", as in always turn the spanner or allen key to the back of the bike.
I will try the hot water tip when I have time, Im doing the 2 counties sportive tomorrow so Im not going to start serious faffing just yet!

Think I will get some cpper grease to add to my toolkit of ever growing bike bits and bobs.

Cheers!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

take em off a couple of times a year and regrease. I use that copaslip stuff.

 

[Alien8]

I assume your bike isn't upsidedown when you try to "Back 'em off" because that won't get you very far. Right pedal righthand thread, left pedal lefthand thread.

 

[jansman]

Like everyone else said-copper grease(motor spare shop)Anything subject to weather and road dirt-the whole bike really, needs this kind of lube.Prevention is better than cure.

 

[PaulSecteur]

I like to give them a firm nip up.

I tried the light nip up, and the pedel chewed the thread in the crankarm causing much swearing. It was the correct side pedel before anyone asks.

 

[02GF74]

left hand pedals has LH thread, RH pedal has RH thread.

heat up the end of the crank - the ally will expand loosening its grip on te pedal spindle. not that this may not work since quite often the shoulder of the pedal that butts up agaisnt the crank will gounge its way into the crank making it v.difficult to undo.

 

[brockers]

pedal

 

[youngoldbloke]

copper grease