Can't remove pedals!

dg lander

I'm having real problems here...

I've bought some new slightly better looking pedals to replace the plastic ones that came with the bike but I can't for the life of me get the old ones off. They feel like they're welded on!

What tool is best? I've tried with a spanner on the front and also a ratchet screwdriver with an allen key attachment on the reverse. It's SOLID!!!. I'm starting to wonder whether I'm turning the right way and I'm scared I might break something...

Here are some pics to help explain to me:

PIC1

PIC2


Thanks

will3

you do know that one is left hand threaded and one is right hand threaded?

dg lander

Does my post sound like I knew that I'm new to all this.

See pic 1 - which way do I turn?

seanoconn

As Will said, as you face your left pedal, ( same as pic1) turn clockwise to undo and anti clockwise as you face your right pedal. Put the spanner on and give it a few sharp taps with a hammer, should do the trick. I'd hit the spanner nearer the bolt end or it bounces off.

rake

clockwise from the way the picture is looking.

ugo.santalucia

Undo the left one by turning clockwise

Undo the right one by turning anticlockwise

A spanner with long leverage will do.

dg lander

seanoconn wrote:

As Will said, as you face your left pedal, ( same as pic1) turn clockwise to undo and anti clockwise as you face your right pedal. Put the spanner on and give it a few sharp taps with a hammer, should do the trick. I'd hit the spanner nearer the bolt end or it bounces off.

I just tried and it doesn't work despite repeatedly hitting the spanner with a hammer. At this point I know you're probably thinking 'the muppet has tightened it up by mistake and now he's wondering why he can't undo it' :roll: - I didn't touch the right pedal beforehand and I've just given it a first attempt (anti-clockwise) and it's also royally buggered ie it won't undo.

gsk82

get some wd40 in it then try again tomorrow

e999sam

Fasten the opposite crank to the chain stay the best thing to use is a toe strap if you have one. Keep the wheels in the bike and lean over the bike pulling up on a long allen key and pressing down on the pedal. If this fails you could try an impactor driver never had to use one myself but it should work. When you put your new pedals on put a small amount of grease on the threads and don't hang of the allen key when tightening them up.

rake

crack the spanner a few times hard in the wrong direction ie doing it up and then try and undo it.its a well known technique. also make sure the spanner handle disects the bb axle to counteract the cranks trying to turn, its easier to hold them still.

dg lander

gsk82 wrote:

get some wd40 in it then try again tomorrow

Thanks all, but I'm still getting nowhere. Think I'm going to do the above and call it a day as it's causing me stress, maybe I'm just feeling weak today. I'll keep you updated though as I'm sure you're all on the edge of your seats.

'Will he succeed or will he fail? Find out in tomorrows exciting episode...'

the_prophet

good luck.

just do what ive done, ive got little arrows on the back of my cranks as I always forget which way they undo..... simple things make life easier. +1 for greasing the threads when your fitting new pedals.

freehub

Get a huge spanner and put it on the end of the smaller spanner, it's what I do and it frees up anything easily due to having that much more leverage.

rake

freehub wrote:

Get a huge spanner and put it on the end of the smaller spanner, it's what I do and it frees up anything easily due to having that much more leverage.

i do that with a large ring spanner. im not the only one :shock:

Monty Dog

Leverage - you really need something at least a foot-long to apply the right leverage - a 15mm pedal spanner is best as a big 12" adjustable might be too thick from some pedals. You may need a firm tap with a hammer / mallet to get it moving. Plenty of posts on here or look on Sheldon Brown for stuck pedals.

mclarent

MTFU.

stigofthedump

If WD40 does not help you can try some heat. The aluminium of the crank arm will expand more than the steel of the pedal axle.

A freshly boiled kettle will be sufficient. Pour the whole lot on one side, all the better if you can avoid the pedal axle.

If you can remove the cranks you could try holding them in a vice, making unscrewing easier

pneumatic

I had this problem last summer. I destroyed 3 allen keys and my knuckles and reached the kind of frenzied frustration that causes blood vessels to burst.

In the end, three things seemed to help:

1. Apply 3 in 1 penetrating oil (aka easing oil) - thin as worcestershire sauce, soaks through rust and capillaries itself into the tiniest crevices.

2. Leave the whole thing alone for 12 hours and calm down.

3. Take a large 15 mill spanner with decent leverage and apply to each pedal in turn with the crank in the twenty past four position and the spanner at ten to ten; press it firmly with the foot (no stamping) whilst holding down the back wheel to stop it spinning.

Bingo.

don't forget to grease the new pedals when you put them on!

dg lander

Thanks for all the advice. I soaked both joints with WD40 last night so I'll give it another go later. The spanner I'm using fits well and is a decent size but not as long as a pedal wrench, I may have to buy one.

I will give the boiling water method a try - it won't damage the surface finish will it?

The amount of pressure I'm applying is a bit worrying and I would prefer to do it off the bike however I haven't got a vice or any other way to secure it.

I bought this bike 2 weeks ago and I've ridden it approx 100 miles...

will3

dg lander wrote:

Thanks for all the advice. I soaked both joints with WD40 last night so I'll give it another go later. The spanner I'm using fits well and is a decent size but not as long as a pedal wrench, I may have to buy one.

I will give the boiling water method a try - it won't damage the surface finish will it?

The amount of pressure I'm applying is a bit worrying and I would prefer to do it off the bike however I haven't got a vice or any other way to secure it.

I bought this bike 2 weeks ago and I've ridden it approx 100 miles...

Did you buy it new and from a bike shop?

Because if you did it would be reasonable for them to have greased the threads and not overtightened them, ie you might ask them to sort it.

dg lander

Yes I think I wil have to take it to the shop if I can't do it myself tonight. That just means an additional 10 miles onto my already respectable 24 mile commute, just to get some pedals loosened

Hals1967

From the pics I can't see any grease squidged out - on a new bike when pedals have been greased by the shop you tend to get a little seepage more noticable from the allen bolt side - unless you've wiped this off ?

Bike looks like an Allez Sport ? The pedals came off mine ok after a good tap and they were definately greased by the shop.

dg lander

It's not happening guys, I've failed as a man and as a cyclist. I'm 27 years old, 6ft 2" and I can't do this simple task. I don't have the tools or the strength. Here's the battleground:


I tried the various positions mentioned, I tried wd40 and boiling water, but after almost dislocating my shoulder I've had to admit defeat. When I phoned the bike shop the guy just chuckled and just said 'bring it in and we'll whip 'em off'. :oops:

I'm taking it in tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

bexley5200

just boch it

evilnailman

If the spanner to the bottom right under the mallet is what you were using, it's too short! You want one a foot long to get enough leverage.



That's what I use, and don't normally have a problem, even hampered my my weedy arms.


Got a pipe like a piece of scaff bar you can stick on the end of it, that'll do it.

dg lander

evilnailman wrote:

Got a pipe like a piece of scaff bar you can stick on the end of it, that'll do it.

Hey that's a good idea!

BEHOLD...

Yes that's the end of my rotary washing line. Yes I've wedged the spanner in so tight that I can't get it out. And yes, my Mrs is not going to be happy about it...

Still can't get the damn pedal off either :evil:

dg lander

IVE DONE IT!!!!! No joke I've actually just done the left pedal. Haha!

the_prophet

one down, one to go!!

dg lander

Job done! Thanks for all the help everyone, it's been an emotional journey. I think the moral of this story is never give up... oh and buy a really long spanner.

Hals1967

Edge of the seat stuff this - I've never sweated out a thread like I have this one

What are you doing for an encore ? :shock:

disquieting_museeuws

My god, you look like King Arthur with Excalibur in the photo! Someone should write a commemorative ballad.

Well done, I knew you could do it!