Seized seatpost and creak

Vaguebyname

Hi, first post looking for a bit of advice!

I have had a creak coming from my bike for a long time now, have changed the pedals, gears, bottom bracket and wheels and it still persists!

I also have a seized seat post that I can't seem to free up! Could the 2 be related? Any tips on freeing up the seat post, it is alloy on alloy I think!

wishitwasallflat

Vaguebyname wrote:

Any tips on freeing up the seat post, it is alloy on alloy I think!

The usual steps are good soaking with WD40 trying to get it down into the junction - PlusGas is supposed to be better though. Also have you tried twisting it rather than pulling it up or down as that sometimes works. I've also heard of fixing the saddle somehow and trying to turn the frame around it which gives you a longer lever arm.

I had a lawnmower handle got stuck once - metal on metal - took three days of letting WD40 soak in (applied several times a day) before I got it out by hitting the underside of the handle with a hammer while bracing the lawnmower deck it fitted into. Ruined the handle but it was buggered anyway.

Yossie

As above re soaking in WD40 or similar (lubricating fluid is better - available from B & Q for £3 or £4 a can) - spray on repeated times, leave to soak in, put bike upside down (ie saddle in) in a vice and use bike to turn - more leverage.

If you can get a hot air gun on the frame before hand to expand the alloy.

Tapping all around the area with a toffee hammer also helps the penetrating fluid get into all the nooks and crannies.

Re the creak - could be anything from your description - start by popping off the saddle, cleaning and greasing all rails, then stem, quick releases, anything else you look at, torque it all up properly and take it from there.

I presume that you copperslipped/greased all chain ring bolts/pedals/etc when changing stuff over?

cgraley77

Does it only creak when seated or when standing also? I had an annoying creak and traced it to the seat area - turns out it was from dirt/grit/general dryness in the mechanism that clamps the seat rails to seatpost. Might be of some help.

Vaguebyname

Thanks for the replies,

Yeah, I greased everything up when putting it back together. The creak was there before then replaced everything and it was still there! It is noticeable when both seated or standing but gets worse the more pressure is applied to the crank. Could it be frame related?

I have tried various things to get the seat post to move all of which have failed. Will try clamping the seat and turning the frame after a good soaking!

Yossie

Just as an aside, how are your cleats? Look ones squeak when worn.

Ouija

Had the same problem a couple of months back. Seatpost stuck in the frame and an annoying creak which, for once, wasn't down to bearings in the bottom bracket or pedals. Turned out the frame was starting to crack right at the bottom of the seatpost caused by aluminium rust (could see some bubbling of the paint around where i imagine the bottom of the seatpost would be). This was causing the frame to flex slightly when pedalling, hence the creak. Had to replace the frame, unfortunately.

cycleclinic

Plusgas is your friend here and patence to free a seatpost. got a few out this way. There a few other tricks if this fails.

Spray some on every day for a week and place post is a vice and turn the frame. Hopefully it will free up.