I CANNOT get the brake pad holders to undo on the brakes I took off the Kuwahara. I was in a hurry and needed to finish that bike, so I swapped the canti brake arms from my own touring bike for the Kuwahara's, thinking I'd just let the Kuwie's brake arms sit in some penetrating oil and I could undo them later. But I can't! And now my touring bike does not have front brakes!! I can't put these ones on with the existing brake pads because those things are 20 years old and the consistency of granite.

So does anyone have either a surefire trick for undoing stuck nuts, or know where I can get a pair of short-arm cantilever brakes in Calgary?

Heat them with a propane torch. That works well for me on most stuck nuts/bolts.

Are the pads themselves turning when you try and turn the nut? If so, you need to hold the pad with a pair of pliers or get someone else to hold it why you turn the nut. If nothing is budging, you need a longer wrench or put a piece of pipe on the wrench handle to give yourself some leverage. And, if all else fails, you can cut the pad off at the threads with a hacksaw (been there, done that!).

Neal

+1

Leverage is your friend. It shouldn't take much of it to snap off the nut if you clamp the pad in a vise.

Rats, I have neither a torch nor a vise... (the torch is probably a good thing, I have a very sweet but dumb cat who likes to "help" me work and would end up on fire immediately!)

Nothing is budging. I am going to go see if the LBS can spare someone to try and unstick them, or sell me a new pair. (These ones are not as good as the Dia Compes I swapped for them).

Turns out I can get Shimano short-arm cantis for $16, or wait till the Avid Shorties come in tomorrow at $50. (I'm going to be cheap ) I do like that store - Cyclepath South for anyone in Calgary - they have always been polite and helpful, and have never been rude about my older bikes or my wish to learn more about doing the work myself.