Help...Can't get my pedals off!

ross_mcculloch

Was out for a 26km run on Sunday which practically crippled my body and my bike. Cleaned off most of the mud on Sunday evening but need to do the rest ASAP. When I went to remove my pedals they seem to be wedged on. Not sure if it's a change in temperature that's done it.

Anyone know a good trick for removing stiff troublesome pedals?

redvee

Use a decent pedal spanner, not a cone spanner and turn the spanner to the back of the bike.

Vivid

Are you removing them correctly? passenger side pedal is opposite thread?

If so, add more leverage.

Do you have a Pedal Spanner?

ross_mcculloch

Don't have a pedal spanner, just a standard spanner. Will it make a huge difference?

redvee

ross_mcculloch wrote:

Don't have a pedal spanner, just a standard spanner. Will it make a huge difference?

If it's 15mm and the flats on the pedals are wide enough to accomodate the standard spanner then leverage is what you'll be missing. Pro pedal spanners are 50% longer than standard spanners.

Vivid

ross_mcculloch wrote:

Don't have a pedal spanner, just a standard spanner. Will it make a huge difference?

They're usually designed with a lot of leverage in mind.

Get some one to push down on the pedals with their foot, this should be at the bottom of the stroke. This will then give you a better position to undo the pedals, if it won't come off by applying pressure with the hands then you can also stand on the pedal spanner which will give you enough pressure to undo the pedals. Then without undoing the pedal completely switch to the other side and repeat.

woodywmb

Engage the spanner, hold it near the head and then smack the end with a hammer or a mallet. One quick hit normally unseizes the threads. Grease the threads when reassembling.

supersonic

I usually stand on the opposite pedal, and heave on the other. Just loosen it - a fraction - then you can do the same for the other side.

bradders1979

Yep, definitely second the 'hit with the hammer' trick.
A short, sharp hit will 'shock' the semi-seized thread. Works every time.

Brad

stumpyjon

Pedal spanner good, normal spanner bad (from personal experience). Hitting spanner with big rock also bad, I now have a 15.5mm spanner and dent in my crank arm. Took the bike to my LBS who took the pedals off in 60 seconds using a good pedal spanner, I'd already wasted 60 minutes trying.

I now own a Park Tools home mechanic pedal spanner which cost a tenner, well worth while.

sniper68

I always take mine of using an allen key,never had any trouble and just set the allen key close enough to get my thumb around the key and fingers around the crank arm..then squeeze...never fails.Oh and always put a bit of copper slip on the thread before replacing,and don't over tighten 8)

Whytepeak

Got the same problem, but the pedals can only be removed by an allen key (who thought that was a good idea) :twisted:

I've been careful not to round them off, but they won't come off.

That said I don't have a park tool style long lever - using a good quality multi too instead as I can't find my allen keys (mum) :x

sniper68

Spray loads of WD40 down the thread and leave over night,usually frees off sticky pedal arms.