explody pup

Got a cheap-o pair of Performance SPD pedals. Before I even put them on I noticed that they felt funky when I spun them. I took one apart to find loose ball bearings and hardly any grease. Not really surprising so I repacked them and am now trying to get my races adjusted properly.

There are two nuts. One 11mm w/ races cut into it and a 5mm set-nut. The problem is I can't get the set-nut tight without mashing the race down into the bearings. It was very tight, originally. I'm guessing this had something to do with why they felt so bad when they spun.

So, how tight does this set-nut have to be to keep everything in place? Should they be adjusted so they're smooth from the getgo, or will the break in and become smooth?

Thanks.

operator

Should be smooth, these things don't "break in"

explody pup

Yeah, I figured that was the case.

So is there a technique to adjusting this that I'm not getting? Both bolts are recessed in the pedal body so there's no way to secure the race while I tighten the set-nut.

DODDY

Hi,

I had the exact same problem The only solution was to use a small socket on the lock-nut while 'wedging' the larger nut with a screwdriver. This is not easy, in fact a real pain but it did work. Other than this, I just backed the large nut off then tightened the lock-nut. The combined movement took up the play from backing off the large nut until after trial and error, the correct 'play' was felt.

As I said, not easy!!!!

explody pup

Thanks, Doddy. Trial and error it is.

explody pup

Dumb follow-up question, but does anyone know if it's possible to replace the loose-ball bearings with a set of caged bearings like that found in headsets and bottom brackets?

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