Stuck cleat bolts

asprilla
asprilla Posts: 8,440
edited June 2014 in The workshop
As title really; one bolt in each of my look cleats is stuck and I can't get them out. I've rounded the insides of the hexes and using a screw driver has been fruitless. 24hrs of regular sprays with Gunk Liquid Wrench didn't help either.

Any alternative to taking a hacksaw to the cleat?
Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
Sun - Cervelo R3
Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX

Comments

  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Three options
    1/ Find a torx bit that is just the right size to hammer and and use that
    2/ Use a disc cutter like a dremel to cut a screw driver slot in the bolt head
    3/ Drill into bolt until the head falls off and hope to remove the remains using some 'mole' grips or similar once the cleat is off and the bolt lo longer in tension.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Rod11
    Rod11 Posts: 293
    The Rookie wrote:
    Three options
    1/ Find a torx bit that is just the right size to hammer and and use that
    2/ Use a disc cutter like a dremel to cut a screw driver slot in the bolt head
    3/ Drill into bolt until the head falls off and hope to remove the remains using some 'mole' grips or similar once the cleat is off and the bolt lo longer in tension.
    I've used option 2 before on my brother's cleats and it worked a charm.
  • craker
    craker Posts: 1,739
    The Rookie wrote:
    2/ Use a disc cutter like a dremel to cut a screw driver slot in the bolt head
    3/ Drill into bolt until the head falls off.

    12" angle grinder will make short work of (2) and make (3) happen. Everything gets hot though and if you've got SPDs and tread on the shoe, you may end up with some interesting grinding marks.
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    Cut the cleat and washer off. This releases all tension on the screw. A hacksaw will do this as the cleat is plastic and the washer is made of monkey metal.

    Either cut a head into the screw and try and turn it or grab the screw with a pair of pliers and turn that.

    Used this on many an occasion.

    Be sure to set fire to everything afterwards.
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    I cut the cleat in half around the bolt with a hacksaw and, as mentioned, with the tension gone the bolt came out easily.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    Sometimes I'm so good I surprise myself :)

    Did you set fire to the old bits to exorcise the demons of the stuck cleat bolt? If you didn't they will only come back ...........
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    Matthewfalle wrote:
    Sometimes I'm so good I surprise myself :)

    Did you set fire to the old bits to exorcise the demons of the stuck cleat bolt? If you didn't they will only come back ...........

    I sacrificed my first born. It's the only way to be sure.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX

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