krushavik
New Member
- Location
- Warrington Cheshire.
As anyone got any suggestions on how to get a seat post out. Been spraying WD40 on it for over a week to no avail. Its a steel frame alloy seat post .
Seat post stuck.
- Thread starter krushavik
- Start date
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Gerry Attrick
Lincolnshire Mountain Rescue Consultant
carpiste
Guru
- Location
- Manchester
Block of wood up against the frame next to the seat post and tap it a few times with a hammer.This should loosen any rust and hopefully you`ll be able to twist/pull the seat out.
If that fails you may have to resort to a blow torch! Steel will expand and again able you to pull post free,but it`ll knacker your paintwork!
If that fails you may have to resort to a blow torch! Steel will expand and again able you to pull post free,but it`ll knacker your paintwork!
Zippy
New Member
- Location
- Camborne, Cornwall
I had complete success extracting an Ali saddle stem from a steel frame recently using caustic soda. If I were to do it again (and having to do this once teaches you never to have to do it again!) I would strip the frame as the caustic soda solution found its way along each tube and out through water drain holes all over my derailleur, wheels and steering spacers; all aluminium! Caution - this method does not remove steel stems from alloy frames, unless you weant to keep the seat tube and throw the bike!
To do this properly, strip the frame and then plug all exits with rags except the bottom bracket and the seat tube end. If the saddle stem is hollow through, plug the end of this with a cork or tight rags - cork is best to create a seal. some saddle stems are closed ended so this may not be a problem.
Turn the frame up-side-down. You will pour the caustic solution CAREFULLY down the seat tube via the BB.
You can get caustic soda from most Chandlers or DIYers. Mix it strong - it will get hot and it will spit so watch out for yourself. Wear protective clothing like I didn't. I did however wear safety glasses - ESSENTIAL protection as this stuff BURNS.
Pour the solution from a plastic jug down the seat tube until full. It will fizz and froth out so it may be a good idea to wrap the seat tube in rags to take up any spent solution. Be careful if you want to keep your paintwork, though mine was fine. Leave it overnight.
Next day, drain out the spent solution and repeat the process; maybe once in the morning and change the solution last thing at night.
After three days of this, give the saddle stem a twist. Chances are it will buckle and you can work the remainder out with a screwdriver beng careful not to mark the frame.
Messy but it definitely works.
Disclaimer: if you bugger up your bike remember - I am not a professional and this is only a write-up of my successful procedure.
PS: this will destroy your saddle stem.
To do this properly, strip the frame and then plug all exits with rags except the bottom bracket and the seat tube end. If the saddle stem is hollow through, plug the end of this with a cork or tight rags - cork is best to create a seal. some saddle stems are closed ended so this may not be a problem.
Turn the frame up-side-down. You will pour the caustic solution CAREFULLY down the seat tube via the BB.
You can get caustic soda from most Chandlers or DIYers. Mix it strong - it will get hot and it will spit so watch out for yourself. Wear protective clothing like I didn't. I did however wear safety glasses - ESSENTIAL protection as this stuff BURNS.
Pour the solution from a plastic jug down the seat tube until full. It will fizz and froth out so it may be a good idea to wrap the seat tube in rags to take up any spent solution. Be careful if you want to keep your paintwork, though mine was fine. Leave it overnight.
Next day, drain out the spent solution and repeat the process; maybe once in the morning and change the solution last thing at night.
After three days of this, give the saddle stem a twist. Chances are it will buckle and you can work the remainder out with a screwdriver beng careful not to mark the frame.
Messy but it definitely works.
Disclaimer: if you bugger up your bike remember - I am not a professional and this is only a write-up of my successful procedure.
PS: this will destroy your saddle stem.
rusty bearing
Guru
- Location
- Chorley, lancashire
Agreed, seat post held in vise is favourite using whole bike as the lever. Obvious tip, heavy bench well secured vise
good luck
Zippy
New Member
- Location
- Camborne, Cornwall
... only if the alloy seat post is not that tight anyway. If the alloy seat post is really tight, a vice just files the outside of the seat post into aluminium powder which is a great lubricant and the stem just rolls in the vice jaws. This does work for steel stems.
e-rider
Banned member
- Location
- South West
this old chestnut again:
from my own experince and those on CC, there is only one easy answer: get to your local frame builder and pay them £20 to remove it.
you might have success with all the other techniques but usually not, and some form of frame damage usually results.
oh yeah, and go and grease all the posts in your other bikes right now (and not just a quick smear - fully grease it 100% coverage)
from my own experince and those on CC, there is only one easy answer: get to your local frame builder and pay them £20 to remove it.
you might have success with all the other techniques but usually not, and some form of frame damage usually results.
oh yeah, and go and grease all the posts in your other bikes right now (and not just a quick smear - fully grease it 100% coverage)
krushavik
New Member
- Location
- Warrington Cheshire.
I thank all for your comments and over the next week I will try to remove the seat post with your advice. I wil certainly keep you informed of my progress. ( I have printed this page and it is now pinned on the garage wall.)
e-rider
Banned member
- Location
- South West
I bet I win the prize for having the most accurate statement!
chriswoody
Legendary Member
- Location
- Northern Germany
Plus gas! a lot less messy and causes no damage to your frame. I spent a week of pouring a little down the seat tube every night and then gently pulling tugging and twisting until it came free.
Remember if you use ordinary grease on the post it will sieze again. You need to put coppa slip on their, it's the only way to stop the disimiliar metals reacting.
Plus gas isn't sold in the modern diy stores, I found mine in an old fashioned high street diy shop, but I've heard of it sold in car accesory shops as well as online.
Remember if you use ordinary grease on the post it will sieze again. You need to put coppa slip on their, it's the only way to stop the disimiliar metals reacting.
Plus gas isn't sold in the modern diy stores, I found mine in an old fashioned high street diy shop, but I've heard of it sold in car accesory shops as well as online.
krushavik
New Member
- Location
- Warrington Cheshire.
I'l try all the others first because I'm only a poor pensioner lol.
