Can't budge my pedals from the cranks. Any ideas?

Huck Finn

I'm running XT cranks with Shimano SPD's attached. Due to knee problems, i've been advised to go to flats.

I've tried removing them but can't get either to budge. I'm putting the pedal spanner on one side and trying to turn with the allan key on the other, all to no avail.

Very frustrated now. Any ideas?

Anonymous

pedal spanner and allen key are two ways of turning the same thing. You're not turning one against the other, are you?

Horton

I'd try using one or the other - if you're holding the spanner and trying to turn the allen key, you are only fighting yourself... Also, don't forget the threads run in opposite directions (so they don't loosen whilst you pedal) - people quite often try and undo them but are actually just tightening them up.

I find put the pedal in about 2 or 3 o'clock position, use a spanner, then on the drive side, the spanner needs to be rotating in an anti-clockwise direction and on the non-drive side in a clockwise direction. Sometimes a bit of a kick/tap with a mallet will help get it started as they do get pretty tight

Horton

I'd try using one or the other - if you're holding the spanner and trying to turn the allen key, you are only fighting yourself... Also, don't forget the threads run in opposite directions (so they don't loosen whilst you pedal) - people quite often try and undo them but are actually just tightening them up.

I find put the pedal in about 2 or 3 o'clock position, use a spanner, then on the drive side, the spanner needs to be rotating in an anti-clockwise direction and on the non-drive side in a clockwise direction. Sometimes a bit of a kick/tap with a mallet will help get it started as they do get pretty tight

Huck Finn

I'll have another crack now. Cheers guys.

getonyourbike

If that doesn't work, try a spray of WD40 aswell, to help and leave it to seap in, then try again

Huck Finn

Job done. Had to hit the shit out of it with the mallet but they gave eventually.

getonyourbike

make sure you put some ggood grease on the thread of the new pedals. I'm not saying that you didn't on the spds btw

Huck Finn

I didn't put the spd's on, but having just looked at the threads, there is traces of threadlock on them. No wonder they were tighter than i was expecting.

Iv'e got some good grease ready to go, but is there anything i can use to get the threadlock out of the crank threads? It's not much but i don't really want it there. I was thinking of getting a little wire wool in there.

Anonymous

Don't bother getting rid of the old threadlock, just put a little grease on the new pedal threads, fit them, and off you go.
Pedals can be exceptionally stiff to undo anyway, since they tighten as you pedal.

D-Cyph3r

Yep. Having this problem with the Mallet's on my XT cranks. No spanner flats on these either and I dont want to round the allen heads. :?

Anonymous

No spanner flats? Somebody needs shooting for that one!

D-Cyph3r

Yeah, maybe they thought with a full sized platform and the clip-in they'd be the only pedals you'd ever need... which is somewhat true I guess, I dont want to replace them and they still (surprisingly) spin freely, it'd just be nice to take them off if I DID need to.

Anonymous

gtd.

D-Cyph3r



Allen socket and breaker bar time, might want some plus gas too

cavegiant

+1 on plusgas, WD40 is for noobs.

mattv

Dont forget they UNDO as you pedal, not tighten!! Many Shimano SPUds and some road pedals only have 6 or 8mm Allen key torments, no spanner flats.