Right hand Keo pedal keeps unscrewing from its spindle - anybody else had this?

[Globalti]

I had this problem with a set of Keos and sent them back to Wiggle who replaced them under warranty. Now the replacement has done exactly the same thing only 518 miles later - I cleaned the bike after today's ride and it dropped off! It unscrews itself against the precession effect that should keep the resin body snugly screwed onto the reverse thread on the plastic collar on the spindle and once it's loose it just slowly unscrews. I fixed the previous Keo by smearing Bostik on the thread and that seemed to work but when the LH pedal developed an annoying click I decided to send them both back.

Has anybody else had the same problem with Keos? I've written to Wiggle and asked them to contact Look about it, can't be bothered to send them back again as new pedals will only have the same problem.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I can't picture the attachment from memory. You say "reverse thread" which implies that they've compensated for precession. Have they actually compensated for precession you think? I understand your frustration. You probably feel you cannot trust the pedal to last a ride anymore.

 

[Globalti]

Okay here's a picture of the spindle close up. As you can see the two tiny sealed bearings are showing signs of water having got into the pedal body but this shouldn't do anything other than stiffen the rotation a little. The plastic collar on the left is what holds the resin pedal body on the spindle and it has a reverse thread. Keo pedals I've serviced in the past have had a tight thread here and it's taken a bit of effort to unscrew them but this one is slack and turns easily right up to the end. On my previous Keos if you then went on and over-tightened this part the thread jumped. Wiggle replaced those for me under warranty.

I'm beginning the think I might give up on Look and get some Shimano pedals.

 

[accountantpete]

I use ptfe tape.

Failing that, there is nothing remotely serviceable inside so simply apply some superglue sparingly to the thread.

 

[Globalti]

PTFE tape just filled the threads and made them jump even more easily when tightened. Bostik worked.

 

[midlife]

Threadlock?

Shaun

 

[Globalti]

Yes, I'll wait to see what Wiggle say tomorrow then use some threadlock or bearing fit compound.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I use ptfe tape.

Failing that, there is nothing remotely serviceable inside so simply apply some superglue sparingly to the thread.

There is a needle bearing inside, which is replaceable and serviceable. Getting it out though is a mission. You have to make an externally-expanding collet to hook in and drag it out.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Okay here's a picture of the spindle close up. As you can see the two tiny sealed bearings are showing signs of water having got into the pedal body but this shouldn't do anything other than stiffen the rotation a little. The plastic collar on the left is what holds the resin pedal body on the spindle and it has a reverse thread. Keo pedals I've serviced in the past have had a tight thread here and it's taken a bit of effort to unscrew them but this one is slack and turns easily right up to the end. On my previous Keos if you then went on and over-tightened this part the thread jumped. Wiggle replaced those for me under warranty.

I'm beginning the think I might give up on Look and get some Shimano pedals.

I remember them now but I can't recall a customer ever complaining about self-unscrewing. Apply Loctite of a grade that will soften with heat. Let us know what Wiggle says once they've heard from Look.

 

[Globalti]

Well Wiggle say they haven't had any other complaints so they won't be taking it up with Look. They say I'm welcome to send the pedals back for replacement or a refund. I will try with some thread locking compound and see how it goes. As I wrote in my OP, it did work with Bostik on the first pedal and I could have lived with that if the LH pedal hadn't developed an annoying click.