Can't unbolt bottle cage

rodgers73

One of my bottle cages is stuck on my frame as one bolt simply spins in its socket rather than unscrewing. I haven't rounds off the bolthead - the whole "plug" spins in the hole.

This isnt much of a problem at the moment but at some point I'd like to be able to take the thing off.

Is this a fix I can sort at home or is it a bit more specialised?

nicklouse

The riv nut needs to be held in place as it has come loose. Most likely through corrosion binding the bolt to it.

rodgers73

LBS trip required then?

wishitwasallflat

I had this problem with a RivNut for a rack - it's sounds exactly the same problem you have; the bolt corrodes and stick in the RivNut. Trying to undo the bolt the RivNut gives where's it's fixed to the frame before the bolt loosens so bolt and Nut spin together. Only solution AFAIL once it gets that bad is to remove that RivNut and fit another one. I got lbs to do it cause I don't have the tools and if they damaged the frame I wanted it to be them not me that did it :!: They didn't - scuffed up the paint a bit around where the RivNut was but no big deal. Also check to make sure they will get the old one out of the frame as if it drops in and gets left there (or they can't get it out) it can rattle.

viewtopic.php?f=40004&t=12883041&hilit=RivNut

bigflangesmallsprocket

If by 'rivnut' you're referring to an alloy pop-rivet, with a thread, driven into a frame, I had the same problem with an old steel Raleigh bike. If you've a pair of slim long-nose pliers, could you reach in and grip the head of the pop-rivet to stop it spinning whilst you undo it? If you can and it works, you may even be able to save it.

Hopefully you can repair it and make it useable again, though I did this on a steel 531 frame, so I'm making no comment on whether it's a suitable method for other materials. The thread will probably match that of a qr skewer. If you can get something to act as a long spacer, such as an old hub or any metal tubing, to take up most of the length of the skewer. You might also need to slide some nuts on to get the spacing right. Now screw it into the rivet. And close the q/r mechanism slowly. This should squeeze it tight up against the frame walls again. I did make a point of only squeezing it in tight enough to stop spinning, to minimize risk of actually breaking the rivet or damaging the frame. Not my tip by the way, I saw it on here years ago.

EDIT: Obviously, if the bolt is tight in there, a little drop of WD40 or GT85 into the rivet and left for a minute or two might help. A couple of light taps on the bolt head may also help loosen it up.

wishitwasallflat

bigflangesmallsprocket wrote:

If by 'rivnut' you're referring to an alloy pop-rivet, with a thread, driven into a frame, I had the same problem with an old steel Raleigh bike. If you've a pair of slim long-nose pliers, could you reach in and grip the head of the pop-rivet to stop it spinning whilst you undo it? If you can and it works, you may even be able to save it

This could work - I answered assuming you wouldn't be able to reach in and grab or somehow hold the Riv Nut (alloy pop-rivet). The one that went on me was in a seatstay so no chance - yours being a bottle cage bolt I assumed there was no way to get at it but if there is worth a try ... :?: Try some WD40 or PlusGas on it as well if you can hold the Nut in some way as it will help break down the corrosion locking the bolt in the socket.

bigflangesmallsprocket

Mine was obviously just a threaded pop-rivet. If the bolt doesn't come undone that's another matter but I was lucky. You beat me to it about the WD40, I just put an edit up! I think I also saw a suggestion to get a little gas blow-torch on it as this might shift the threads enough to crack a seal caused by corrosion ...but then there's the paintwork to consider, and if it's an alloy frame I'm not sure it would be a good idea anyway!

Might have to destroy the bottle cage to get to it, but that's cheaper than a trip to the LBS.

topdude

Before trying anything else just carefully dribble a little superglue between the rivnut and frame.
It should fix the rivnut in place allowing you to undo the bolt.
Make sure a new bolt is greased to prevent it seizing again

rodgers73

Thanks for the advice guys but I don't fancy trying any of those solutions due to my lack of skills - LBS it is!

nicklouse

A pop rivit is a pop rivit.

A riv nut (or nut sert) is not the same. Yes they are fitted similarly but do not use one word to describe the other as you will just confuse people.

Riv nuts can be steel or alloy.

Unfortunately the bike industry has not taken up the use of ones that fit into a Hexagon hole and have a hexagon shape so as not to spin if lose.

smidsy

When you finally get it out use stainless steel cage bolts for fixing the cages - this helps reduce the likelihood of a repeat performance.

Forget the colour coated jobbies.

Also consider using a little copper slip on the bolt threads.

rodgers73

Thanks - good tip!

topdude

Thanks for the advice guys but I don't fancy trying any of those solutions due to my lack of skills - LBS it is!

How much skill is needed for two drops of superglue :shock:

rodgers73

Its not a question of just the skill that may be required - it's if I f*ck it up I've got no one to blame and a bigger mess to clear up than I started with. Plus, removing the bolt is only half the issue. I need the thread to be properly fitted/replaced afterwards so I can still carry 2 bottles. As things stand I can still do that but just can't free up the bolt - I'll use the LBS so its all done and dusted quickly.