problem replacing worn down cleats

CraigMac

Hiya,

My cleats have worn down so much that they are waggling annoyingly as I pedal. Unfortunately, the hex bolts holding them on are so worn down and full of ground-in sh*t I can't fit the original hex key in to take them off. I've tried lots of scraping but it doesn't seem to want to shift. As far as I can see, I've got these options:
say 'sod it' and buy new shoes - unlikely as I'm too tight
file down an allen key to fit the deformed bolt
do something cunning with a drill - beyond my ability, I fear

Has anyone got any opnions/other ideas?

Thanks,
Craig

rdaviesb

Carefully use of a Dremel or even more careful use of an angle grinder required, to get to the point where you can get a grip of the bolts with pliers.

maddog 2

as you say, do your best to clean out the allen bolt head and see if you can fit an allen key.

If that fails then you could try hammering in a torx key to get some purchase....

If that fails then just drill the bolt out. I suspect it's not beyond your ability, but you lack the confidence to give it a go?

aracer

Standard method is to drill down on the middle of the head with a 5mm drill, which will take the head off and let you remove the cleat. Generally once the tension is off the bolt you can use pliers to grip the bit which is left sticking out and unscrew it. Not a difficult job at all.

scherrit

I reckon it's easier to hack a slot in the screw and have a go with a screwdriver FIRST. A nicely shaped slot and a BEEEEG screwdriver! There is no problem with hacking through the cleat as well if it's plastic...

In my experience, the bolts are made of pretty hard steel (otherwise the allen holes round too easily..), and breaking a drill bit in them not totally unknown! Also drilling the head off can leave you with too-small a bit of bolt to grab (and the bolt may be corroded badly onto the nut in the shoe!)

Good luck!

El Gordo

Yeah - cut a nice deep slot in the head with a hacksaw (which will cut into the cleat too but if it's old then that doesn't matter) then stick in a big screwdriver. It's always worked for me anyway. A bit of WD40 to loosen things up first may help too.

craker

I've got the same (unsolved) problem.

Drilling out the bolts is a hard job - I gave up. Those steel bolts are mighty tough so you're going to need a decent drill, a decent bit and maybe some lubricant to get through.

I'm going to try an angle grinder next.

a_n_t

probably stainless to avoid rust which is pretty tough to drill. the hotter it gets the harder it goes so go slow slow slow!

munster

If the cleats are plastic cut them off, after drawing their outline on the soles!
If they are metal carefully cut them off (if possible).
Hopefully that should leave you with enough bolt to grip with some sort of grips.
It's worked for me in the past, so has the cut a slot in the bolt though........

Cajun

If using a Dremel is a slow process for cutting a slot for the screwdriver, put a dab of Lard/Shortening (as for use in cooking...not the Oil type) on the screw head to facilitate the process.
You can also use a Screw Extractor.
DO NOT USE an electric screwdriver....manual is better.
If the screw has enough recess for a screwdriver to grip, apply a dab of toothpaste...this will help the scewdriver from slipping off..

After installing new screws, rub parafin deep into the screw slots...this will help keep debis out; won't do anything for wear :shock:

On a cold, wet, Winter evening, when there is little chance of riding, etc., spend an hour checking the screws in your cleats and also the screw that holds the strap in place (ie; SIDI's) and apply a good Vinyl Cleaner/Conditioner to the shoes....time well spent :P afterall, $300US+ shoes deserve a little TLC occasionally..

Rob Sallnow

I faced this problem a month ago when my bolt heads got rounded off and found drilling a bolt to be easier said than done I succeeded in only making a wide shallower saucer shape in the head....not my head.

What I did for the other shoe was put lots of penetrating oil around the bolts to loosen them before putting the allen key in them and that worked a treat .....trying to unscrew before that rounds the hole....particularly if you can't get the key in very far due to it being gunked up.

I also found that you only need to get one bolt out any way you can and then put the cleat in a vice and turn backwards and forwards and that action will loosen the other bolt.

Cleat bolts come in different sized head sizes...my new ones were at least one size bigger and that makes rounding slightly less of a problem.