Classic & Vintage - Lyotard 460D clicking

So I've got an old set of 460Ds on my bike and for some reason the left side pedal clicks.

I had greased the bearings and reassembled them and it was fine for a while, then it started clicking so I regreased and reassembled and again it was fine for between 50-100 miles (I don't keep track) and now it started clicking again.

Is there some trick to these things? The right side doesn't do it, should I use a drop or two of threadlock on the nuts so they don't loosen or does it sound like something is worn beyond hope?


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I've found it very difficult sometimes to keep the outside cone nut secured after overhauling pedals. My best technique is to use a flat screwdriver to hold the cone still while I use a open ended wrench to tighten down. Getting the right tension usually takes a few tries and often some cursing. I've also found that adjusting them while mounted to the crank arm can be helpful.

I've overhauled several sets and of course only the ones on my bike do this.

I did exactly what you mentioned, I used a screwdriver to hold the cone and then snugged down the nut and yes it did take a few tries to get it to where it felt just right.

I'll probably try adjusting them one more time before I give up on them and I might jut try the Loc-tite idea when I do.

Wow. I think these are the same pedals on my recently acquired Stella. Mine, too, have been making a clicking sound.

Doesn't the "tard" part of the word, in French, mean "click"?

I have been plagued by clicking on a pair of SR pedals. Most of the time it's the left but sometimes the right. They spin ok - not tight and not loose. When I loosen the cone and readjust it feels the same as when I started, but the clicking usually comes back in less than a hundred miles. Bearings have been replaced, cones and races look good. I just don't know - I reckon I will be replacing them soon.

-G

This has happened to me, on another French brand of pedal, ATOM. At first, I did the same as you: I rebuilt it, only to have the clicking return a couple of weeks later. The solution was to adjust the cone tension slightly higher than I normally would. By this I mean tensioned enough to feel just the slightest bit of roughness as the quill rotates. This has eliminated the problem. I've ridden that bike almost daily for the past year and the clicking hasn't returned.

I think the problem might have to do with low precision races to begin with.

I have a set of these Lyotard pedals . . . and one of them clicks, too.

Drives me nuts. I've rebuilt that pedal a dozen times. It feels to be adjusted perfectly. No resistance or rough feeling to the hand. Clicks when I ride.

Love the pedals, but they're in the parts box right now.

grrrrr.

I think I'll try going the slightly tight route and see what happens, I'm a bit concerned because it seems to me that I've seen mention of these old 460Ds having the occasional issue with the axles snapping off.

I'm heading to the garage and should be able to put on enough miles over the weekend to see if the click comes back.

I think I'll try going the slightly tight route and see what happens, I'm a bit concerned because it seems to me that I've seen mention of these old 460Ds having the occasional issue with the axles snapping off.

If that's your concern (I won't say it's invalid or valid), at least know that increasing the tension of the bearings has nothing to do with that.

Rebuilt the offending pedal "again" last Thursday and took it for about a 24 mile ride Saturday and guess what? Yup, started clicking again after about ten miles or so.

Sadly, I had to admit defeat and pulled the Lyotards in favor of a set of stock aluminum Raleigh pedals donated by a friend recently.

On the plus side the Raleigh pedals are reasonably light, accept my toe clips and are actually wider and deeper than the Lyotards which is good with my size 15 feet.



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My experience with Lyotards had been that you can never adjust them to be as quiet as most other good pedals as the materials used in the bearing assemblies are as crude as parts you might find in an old Chinese SKS rifle (bordering on cottage industry primitive). I remembering fiddling with my and my borther's Lyotard rattraps many times trying to eliminate wthe bearing rumble in them by cleaning them , installing new bearings. applying lots of Phil Wood grease and carefully adjusting the bearing retaining nuts on them repeatedly. I got them so they did not do any odd clicks or crackling sounds but the bearing rumble was pretty much permanent, even from new from the factory, when we first got out Peugeot with them. One good thing about them was they did not break down on the road or ever sieze on us, despite their noisy bearings.
You might also want to check if the swaged steel cages on them might be getting loose on their mounts. and causing that clicking sound.

Chombi

I might try them again on my backup bike, we'll see.