Removing stubborn pedals

[philinmerthyr]

Anyone got any tips for removing pedals that seem welded to the crank arms?

 

[cyberknight]

I had the same problem, i took it to the LBS who had a big pedal spanner and gave it some welly !

 

[smokeysmoo]

Squirt of penetrating fluid. Decent allen wrench/pedal spanner. Extension bar if required. Persuade with mallet accordingly. Watch knuckles.

 

[Lanzecki]

You are going the right way ? sorry, had to ask.

Apart from WD-40 and leaving it overnight, Heat applied to the crank, but that'll damage what I assume you want to keep.

If you don't want the keep the pedal remove the pedal from the axle. you then have a nice long axle to take hold of. This is what I did in a similar position, I was able to weld a 3 foot bar to the axle which gave loads of leverage to remove the offending item. I think the heat of the welder helped as well.

It went in, it'll come out, Use copper grease next time. Just don't surprise the copper when you are harvesting the grease... Umm, Think I need a rest.

 

[alicat]

Are both stuck? Remember the left hand pedal is reverse-threaded to avoid the pedal unscrewing as you cycle.

 

[Matthew_T]

I had a problem when I got my new commuter. It seems that holding the brakes and standing on the wrench seems to MASSIVELY damage the chain. All the pins were bent and the chain kept jamming.
I have chained it now though and managed to get the pedals off with a bit of help from my dad. They are a struggle but will come eventually.

Just remember that the threads are opposite.

 

[ColinJ]

Are both stuck? Remember the left hand pedal is reverse-threaded to avoid the pedal unscrewing as you cycle.

Memory aid: Right thread is 'right' (normal); left thread is 'wrong' (reverse).

And yes - that is looking towards the front of the bike ... From the back of the bike!

 

[Davidc]

Memory aid: Right thread is 'right' (normal); left thread is 'wrong' (reverse).

And yes - that is looking towards the front of the bike ... From the back of the bike!

Or more precisely it's looking at the crank from the pedal side.

 

[ColinJ]

Or more precisely it's looking at the crank from the pedal side.

I don't understand that!

 

[alicat]

The left side of the bike is the near or curb side.

Another tip - secure one or both brakes with a spare toe strap. Stand on the pedal wrench. Mind your ankle bone as the pedal bolt gives way.

 

[Davidc]

If a pedal's really stuck my current technique is to take the crank off, clamp it in the vice and then use a block of wood in contact with the spanner and hit that with a big hammer.

 

[ColinJ]

The left side of the bike is the near or curb side.

Not if you are in a country where they drive on the right! Or if the bike is facing oncoming traffic ..

Another tip - secure one or both brakes with a spare toe strap. Stand on the pedal wrench. Mind your ankle bone as the pedal bolt gives way.

I think that strains the transmission. If a pedal is really stuck, I rest the crank on a pile of books or timber.

 

[slowmotion]

Put the crank in a vice. Put the spanner on the pedal. Put a short length of piping over the spanner. Apply a silly amount of torque.

 

[BAtoo]

Removed the pedals off my 30yr old hybrid on Sunday - worked out which thread was which, decent spanner on pedal and hit it with a hammer................................... worked well

Plan B - bigger hammer but didn't need it

 

[philinmerthyr]

Thanks for the advice. WD40 overnight and some brute force sorted it out.