Removing stuck pedals

jimmy6flats
jimmy6flats Posts: 50
edited January 2008 in MTB workshop & tech
Hi

I am trying to get a pair of shimano pedals off of a pair of XT Hollowtech crank arms. Both my LBS and I have stripped a couple of pairs of allen keys trying to get the damn things off the cranks so far, and are running out of ideas!
I have tried solvents/lubes to no avail. I have stripped the pedals to see if I can get more leverage with an adjustable spanner. Is my only option left drilling them out? I have tried with my Black and Decker but the axles seem to be made of Kryptonite and I can't get them off!

Help!

Cheers,

Jamie

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    There are no spanner flats on them? My shimano SPDs had flats and allen key fittings.

    Try soaking the area with Plus Gas and leaving overnight. After that you can gently heat the crank.
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  • Steve_b77
    Steve_b77 Posts: 1,680
    If you can get the pedals down to the axels, remove the cranks, place them in a bench vice with soft jaws on it, do the plusgas thing and then gently apply a decent pair of stillsons i.e 18" long ones and thrn them until the axels come loose.

    That should definatley move most things as it was a technique I used to remove baked-in/siezed oxygen sensors from exhaust manifolds, never failed to get one out :wink:

    Just be careful :!:
  • jimmy6flats
    jimmy6flats Posts: 50
    No spanner flats on these I'm afraid, just conical shaped exles. I can't find a set of hex wrenches long enough to shift the damn things an inch. I will try heating the crank arms tomorrow when I sober up.......

    If the pedals can't be removed am I stuck with having to buy a whole new chainset? I have searched on the net for a set of crank arms only (as the bb and chainrings are in great nick) but can only find a replacement left hand crank. I don't fancy spending £80 on a new chainset and bb combo (M760 or whatever it's called). Any ideas on what I can do to save a bit of cash??
  • SpeshXC
    SpeshXC Posts: 6
    You could take the bike to a car garage, they can use an impact gun on the pedals with a hex socket.
    Unless you can get a hex socket in that size from Halfords, then use a breaker bar for leverage.
  • pete236
    pete236 Posts: 204
    If you have a small blow torch with an accurate flame, then heat up the crank just at the pedal end. Don't get it glowing hot - don't want to change the breaking properties of the metal! Gently heat and cool a few times, then stick an allen key in and heat more - then have a go at unwinding the bolt! Make sure you have thick gloves so you don't burn yourself!
    All this, combined with gallons of WD40 helped to get a seized stud out of the cylinder head of classic MG - what really got it was soaking in brake fluid overnight. Just got to remember its qualities as a paint stripper!
    Good luck!
    One fine day in the middle of the night, two dead men got up to fight. Back to back they faced each other, drew their swords and shot each other.
  • jimmy6flats
    jimmy6flats Posts: 50
    Thanks for the replies guys, I will try the blowtorch tomorrow at work. Tried Hellfords this afternoon to see if they had any car-sized wrenches, but they too stripped their tools. I must have cost at least 3 bike shops a bit of money by now!

    If I can't get the pedals off with the blowtorch, am I stuck with buying a complete new chainset and bb, or can I buy the cranks separately?

    Thanks for all your help

    Jimmy

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