Bicycle Mechanics - Bike Pedal spindle 100% seized

Hey guys, i really need help with removing the left side pedal (non-drive) - To my knowledge it's clockwise to loosen on the non drive side but it's not budgng at all.

I've submerged it in WD40 for over a day now and i think felt a turn when i tried today. I'm just using an ordinary spanner but i'm going to get a proper pedal spanner tomorrow, is the standard 15mm to remove the pedal spindle?

I've tried hammering the spanner, stood on the spanner, tried heating it up with a heatgun - but nothing. I've even snapped one of the wrench heads

Here's a pic

Get y'self a big ole pipe wrench. At least 12" long. With a pipe that will fit over the handle. Repeat previous procedures (working in both directions to loosen it up).

Wd40 isn't a very good penetrant as penetrants go, btw...


One presumes you're not planning to re-use the pedal.

Wd40 isn't a very good penetrant as penetrants go, btw.

KROIL by KANO Industries is the best penetrationg oil there on the market.

Put the crank arm in a bench vice to hold it securely. then apply excessive force.
Be prepared to buy new cranks when the threads rip out of the crank arm.

That's great guys cheers :thumb:

Will post back tomorrow after i visit the bike shop

yea get some Kroil, most hardware stores carry it. Ive used Kroil to clean muzzles on old WWII rifles, and revive them back to full shooting glory, stuff is used in the Aero industry and is kinda of nasty, use common sense when around the stuff.

hmm... would this do it?
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_191162_langId_-1_categoryId_77322

OR
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_191030_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__CarSelectorGroupId__varient__categoryId_77322_crumb_33958-31345-58755_parentcategoryrn_77322
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_189604_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__CarSelectorGroupId__varient__categoryId_77322_crumb_33958-31345-58755_parentcategoryrn_77322

Maybe
No
Yes

Ok thanks :thumb:

Is this stuff any better than the 3rd link above?
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_193267_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__CarSelectorGroupId__varient__categoryId_123468_crumb_33980-31270-122971_parentcategoryrn_123468

Forget the chemical elixirs. Complete waste of time. The only thing you need to ask yourself right now is which do you want to save, the crankarm or the pedal?

Stick the crankarm in a vice, use the parktool pedal wrench and then use a leverage enhancing bar on top of it. It's likely if this doesn't work that the arm will be ****ed anyways. Replacement left arms are like $10-$15 so don't waste more money than it would cost to replace it.

It's all been said well for getting it out. WHEN you find that the threads are toasted and you buy a new crank arm be sure to grease the threads or use Never Sieze on the pedal threads. If you had you wouldn't be having this problem now.

If this is a long term ownership type bike it's likely a good idea to undo stuff like this every 5 or 6 years and clean and re-grease. Recently working on my older bikes I've found a number of things that are sticky but not as bad as your pedal that are slightly corroded despite using grease way back when. It's just so wet around here that the weather along with the regular washings that the weather insists on takes their toll.

It's not a great bike but it costed £140 about 18months ago - it's still in good condition, i've never taken the pedals off before and it seems the manufacturer didn't lube the threads

Just went and got some penetration oil (3rd link above) and a pedal spanner... just leaving the spindle to soak in the oil first

Penetrating oil is working a like a treat! Spindle is almost out, just need a few more turns but it got stuck again so i've just left it to soak in the oil again. :)

Spindle is off, but just quickly tried to fit the new pedal in, it seemed to not screw in properly now... but i'll give it another shot later, i've just sprayed the crank arm as it's been chipped in a few places...

Spindle is off, and pedal is on, mission completed! Thanks all :thumb:

Congratulations on the successfull transplant.

When I run into one of those I'll try to run a tap through the crank hole to clean out any debris left behind and touch the threads up some. This will also help to show if it's time for a new crankarm.

Which reminds me, I need to order a set of taps for the backpack toolbag.

Yeah there was a lot of debris in the crank hole, got a metal brush to scrape the stuff off and then cleaned it with a degreaser, then sprayed it with WD40 then put the new pedal on

Good work on getting it out! In the future, when you have seized parts try using rubbing alcohol - it breaks down the corrosion by-products quite well. I have had better luck with rubbing alcohol than with penetrating oil (although I have only ever used liquid wrench, none of this Kroil stuff - I will give it a try if I can find some.

Kroils good,bees wax is better.Machinists secret weapon for removing frozen bolts,SHHHH! don't tell anyone.

Yeah there was a lot of debris in the crank hole, got a metal brush to scrape the stuff off and then cleaned it with a degreaser, then sprayed it with WD40 then put the new pedal on

PUT DOWN THE CAN AND STEP AWAY FROM THE WD40!

WD40 should be used sparingly, if at all, on your bicycle.

You should get some thick grease from the hardware store or LBS for threads like pedals and bottom bracket cups.

I guess WD40 is not made for a bike then... i'll get some proper lube at the weekend and re-apply it to the pedals...

Penetrating oil work very well, submerged the pedal spindle into the oil and then left it for a few hours then hacked the blooming spndle off