Seized Brake QR

[theboytaylor]

Hi, I've got some old (70s/80s) Campag Record brakes on my bike at the moment and the quick release levers have seized. This means if I need to take the wheel out I need to let the tyre down - not the end of the world, but a faff anyway.

My LBS couldn't free them when they serviced the bike - they pumped a load of jollop into them but they still didn't free up. I don't want to try and grab it with pliers or something as I'd probably wreck it.

Like I said, it's not the end of the world, but any ideas would be welcome.

Ta.

 

[fossyant]

Other than soaking with WD40, and brute force, not much.

Just keep soaking with WD, geve them a wiggle, go away, soak again another day and keep trying.

 

[gwhite]

Other than soaking with WD40, and brute force, not much.

Just keep soaking with WD, geve them a wiggle, go away, soak again another day and keep trying.

WD40 is not really designed for this. Much better to use something like "Plus Gas" which is made for penetration purposes.

 

[02GF74]

can you post photo of the QR?

 

[theboytaylor]

Cheers guys - I've only just been able to view the thread - can't get Cyclechat at work

I'll try to take a photo in the morning. Bike's in the shed, it's pitch black out and it's peeing down with rain!

 

[zzpza]

are the stuck parts an alu alloy? if so, plus gas / liquid wrench / wd40 / etc isn't going to help much. ammonia is the way to go with aluminium oxide. i think sheldon brown has an article on this...

 

[zzpza]

found it. it's about seat posts, but the principle is the same:

"Aluminum seatposts frequently become stuck by corrosion also, and penetrating oil is almost useless against aluminum oxide. Fortunately, aluminum oxide can be dissolved like magic by using ammonia."

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/stuck-seatposts.html

of course, if the parts aren't aluminium, this is next to useless!

 

[theboytaylor]

Right, here's some pics (fingers crossed). I know the brakes are a bit dirty but that's what comes of it being a workhorse bike!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10646197@N07/3327216233/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10646197@N07/3327216091/

Any ideas?

 

[02GF74]

what does the QR look like from behind?

well I have not seen anything like that before.

it looks like there is a steel bolt, albeit with funky conical head that holds the quick release together, the moving parts pivotoing on the bolt or it may be that the bolt itself rotates with the QR lever.

try penetrating fluid over a couple of days. also worth while heating it up to about 200 degree C with a blow torch - the different expansion rates of alloy and steel may loosen the bond.

presumably you put a spanner on the bolt and it won't budge?

 

[Proto]

They look like late 70's Campag Super Record to me, but the centre pivot nut is wrong/missing.

Take the small conical nut off the front of the QR cam. Remove washer, push QR cam through caliper arm to remove.

Clean thoroughly, lubricate and re-assemble.

Job done.


And if you put the title 'Campy' on any more of your pictures I will be forced to punch you in the face. It's 'Campag' Grrrrrrrrrrr.

 

[theboytaylor]

They look like late 70's Campag Super Record to me, but the centre pivot nut is wrong/missing.

Take the small conical nut off the front of the QR cam. Remove washer, push QR cam through caliper arm to remove.

Clean thoroughly, lubricate and re-assemble.

Job done.


And if you put the title 'Campy' on any more of your pictures I will be forced to punch you in the face. It's 'Campag' Grrrrrrrrrrr.

Thanks very much. Will give it a go on the weekend - I need the bike tomorrow so I'd better not tamper with it tonight.

"Campy" - shocker. In my defence, I was trying to take photos, upload them, get a post done and then get dressed, all in a rush. Still, I can barely forgive myself.

They were on the bike when I bought it 2nd hand and get more admiring glances than the rest of the bike. Centre nut is somewhere on the North Downs. I'm keeping my eye out for it! The bike also had CamPAG Record cranks on it till recently, but the left one snapped, dumping me in the road.... eBay is being scoured for a replacement!