spd pedal tension

[Jonathing]

Hi,

I asked this a while ago but no one knew. I have combed the internet looking for an answer with no success but I cannot accept that no one else have ever come across this problem before.

As a result of being a stupendous idiot one of the tension screws on my pedal is currently stuck at the highest tension. The point at which the screw passes through the coil spring is at the end, and possibly off the end, of the threads. Turning the screw doesn't do anything, it barely feels as if the screw is engaging. I cannot work out how to get the thread to reengage, the black Phillips screw on the medial edge of the pedal, which looks like it should play some roll in dismantling the mechanism, is far too stiff to turn.
As I said before, I cannot believe no one else has come across this before. Either that or the solution is so mind numbingly simple that no one has felt the need to write about it. So please, if you know how to solve this do let me know. I know these pedals can be had for twenty quid a set and the hassle and stress this one screw has given me would undoubtedly be worth twenty pounds to be rid of but it seems such a waste and it has become a matter of principle. I shall not be defeated by a screw.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

I assume as you say they're £20 you have M520's? If so, you may be able to get some pliers onto the spring to pull it back into position then screw clockwise to re-engage thread. If the thread has stripped from the spring or the tension screw... ...and you're really determined,you could insert a new bolt with a nut on either side of the tension spring. I'm with you - I hate being beaten by something that OUGHT to be simple!

 

[Smurfy]

Just looked at my PD-M520s. I would've suggested taking the pivot screw out, but you said it's too stiff to turn (probably put in with thread lock or power tools at the factory). I suggest the reason you can't get the screw back in is because the little black plate that the springs bear on is not square with the screw thread. As all the spring tension is applied slightly off the axis of the screw thread, I'm sorry to say that I think you'll have a real battle to get the plate aligned sufficiently to get the thread to engage, and there's also the risk of cross threading if it isn't aligned very well.

I think the best thing is to remove the other three screws that secure the front part of the retention mechanism. You'll notice the back half of this part is the only thing stopping the rear part of the retention mechanism springing further shut than it is supposed to (mind your fingers!). That might release enough tension from the spring to enable you to engage the threads again. You'll have another battle to get the front part back on again, but if you've relieved the spring tension it shouldn't be too bad (I have mine set to minimum tension, and I can just about open the mechanism a mm or two with my fingers).When you try to remove the three silver screws, be careful to use a high quality screwdriver that fits well, or you can guess what your next problem will be. When you reassemble the pedal, you may also need thread lock to prevent them coming loose while riding.

Let us know how you get on.