Top tips required to remove tight pedals

TheEnglishman

I just got my bike back from a service and I was trying to remove the pedals - only I just can't get enough on them. They're on with anti-seize and I think the shop have done them up without accounting for the grease factor.

So, I've an impact driver (shimano pedals have a 6mm allen key on the inside 8) ) but am loathe to try it as I don't want to damage any bearings. I could try a rattle gun, if I know someone who'd let me have one for 5 mins, but I don't. I don't really want to go back to the shop for various reasons.

So, are there any top tips available regarding how to unscrew your pedals from the crank.

nax-ian

A gert big spanner

thistle_

Use the longest spanner you can find that fits the 'nut'. If you have the crank somewhere near 6 o clock you should be able to use both hands to push down as the crank won't need holding.
You could also try a bit of steel tube around the spanner to give more leverage. Tapping it with a lump hammer might help.

Also make 200% sure you're trying to undo it the right way

MichaelW

Some pedals lack spanner flats so I guess your impact driver is the only way.
If you can use a spanner, get a long one.
Put the crank pointing forward/up. Put the spanner pointing rear/up. Apply both brakes and apply foot gradually to the spanner. Keep adding more weight taking care not to slip.
Don't forget that the non-driveside uses a reverse thread.

xscreamsuk

Do you have an old seat tube? Fit this around the allen key that goes into the pedal and you have a huge lever. Do not try with a carbon post though :-) Did this with an alloy tube to get my Looks off a few months ago.

seanoconn

If you're going to use a hammer on a spanner, don't hit the end of the spanner, it will just judder and fall off. Tap a bit closer to the nut.

paul_mck

found myself in the same spot, removed the pedal flats and got some vice grips on the pedal spindle. pedals ruined but meh.

g00se

And for the love of you're knuckles, put the chain on the big ring before you start!

desweller

If they're really stuck you can take the crank off and fix it in a workbench; it's hard to get the requisite torque while trying to work around the bike frame.

TheEnglishman

The problem I've got is that I can't see me getting the required torque on a 6mm allen key (I think it'll snap) It's not seized, as it only got put on 3 weeks ago, with anti-seize. And my trusty 15m spanner is too 'wide' so I'm left with thin pressed steel spanners that came with a bike tool kit and they're flexing under hand pressure. Hence I thought a rattle gun in the hex socket may work?

I just don't see why they need tightening to 55nm when the thread 'does up' when you're pedalling, so it's never going to come undone? Or is my lack of knowledge showing here?

Anyway - I'll admit semi-defeat and take the cranks off, put them in a vice and try some extension bars.

I'm definitely pushing the opposite way to the 'Tighten' arrow on the pedal so I'm pretty sure I'm not trying to do them up!

desweller

Ah, you'll never undo them with a tiddly allen key.

You can grind down a good quality spanner to get it into the gap or borrow a pedal spanner if you know someone who owns one. If you use a normal spanner you'll still need to get a bar on it to generate the torque.

TheEnglishman

Cranks off, bench vice, sorted!

The halfords oik suggested a ring spanner. I thanked him and departed to talk to someone in a proper tool shop as opposed to talking to a proper tool. :roll:

I take 10% off torque values when greasing up the threads - bad idea?

Bozman

There's no need to tighten them up too much because of the way they're threaded.
I just put a bit of grease on the threads and lightly tighten, probably put more pressure on a carbon seatpost clamp.

cycleclinic

IO do the same as the above. Sounds like you need a proper pedal spanner like the one park does and visit a different LBS in future.

Wirral_paul

I have a range of hex bit sockets for jobs like this (6mm, 8mm, 10mm). Easy to undo when you can lean on an 18" breaker bar.

Coach H

Wirral_Paul wrote:

I have a range of hex bit sockets for jobs like this (6mm, 8mm, 10mm). Easy to undo when you can lean on an 18" breaker bar.

+1, but even easier with a 36" breaker bar
If there is not enough leaverage with that, you are not getting it off without damage

dennisn

Make sure that you KNOW which way to turn them to loosen.

DNQ

DO NOT slip and end up punching the chainwheel, people have lost fingers that way!

desweller

TheEnglishman wrote:

Cranks off, bench vice, sorted!

The halfords oik suggested a ring spanner. I thanked him and departed to talk to someone in a proper tool shop as opposed to talking to a proper tool. :roll:

I take 10% off torque values when greasing up the threads - bad idea?

As you've noted, friction is an unpredictable element where screws are concerned.

I would still err on the side of doing them up tightly; if there's enough movement then the axle precesses in the crank and can wear it away.