spinning chainring bolts any solution?

jimwalsh
jimwalsh Posts: 113
edited July 2016 in Workshop
Right o

I have purchased a sram s300 1.1 single ring chainset.

I want to swap out the 48t for a 54t for a single ring tt setup.

I have used the shimano chainring bolt tool to try and hold the rings to remove but the chainring bolts are totally stuck together. so much so that the back of the bolts is stripping.

I have taken it to the lbs who have said they cant even drill it out without damaging the crank arm.

anyone got any suggestions?

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,310
    WD40?
    left the forum March 2023
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    If the chainring bolts are alloy then ACF50 might help but in the worst case, drilling-out is the only option. Done this a few times with cheapo alloy bolts and can't see how this would damage the chainset. Replace the bolts with ones with a hex/torx on both sides.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • proto
    proto Posts: 1,483
    Dremel tool, small carbide burr, cut through from the inside until the bolt/nut falls in half.

    Or use a mini hacksaw and cut outwards taking care not to cut into the crank arm.
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Might be worth heating them up with a heatgun and then chilling them sharply, e.g. dunking in a bucket of ice. The thermal expansion/contraction can sometimes loosen the joint.
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • jermas
    jermas Posts: 484
    Another thing worth a try (but sounds daft) is to tighten them first. This can crack the corrosion so they can then be undone.
  • k-dog
    k-dog Posts: 1,652
    I drilled a few out a few months ago and it was easier than I thought - you only have to go deep enough that the head breaks off and the holes in the chainring are way bigger than the drill you need so not much chance of ruining the crank.
    I'm left handed, if that matters.
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    Did you sort this out?

    What d*ck designed this chainset and put those bolts on! Is there a known tool, I've bought the Park Tool Wrench but no luck.
  • pilot_pete
    pilot_pete Posts: 2,120
    Drill every time. Simple to do, with care and the correct size drill bit on an alloy bolt it will take seconds to drill the head off so that the remnants just pop out the other side. If you don't push too hard with the drill you won't damage the chainset at all and can simply clean it and fit your new chainring bolts. I would suggest using some blue loctite or copper slip grease to prevent them corroding over time...

    PP
  • trekvet
    trekvet Posts: 223
    When someat is stuck I always hit it with a hammer, so here you need a block to rest bolt on, and using a bar or drift on the other end, hit it good and hard. This breaks up any corrosion and compacts the screw slightly leaving it loose.
    The Wife complained for months about the empty pot of bike oil on the hall stand; so I replaced it with a full one.
  • frisbee
    frisbee Posts: 691
    I just heated the stuck one up till the Loctite smoked and then it unscrewed with no effort.

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