removing a stuck pedal (another approach)

pdmtong · #1 10-22-2015, 07:27 PM

We've all been there - that $?(%#! pedal won't come loose! And, you can't use a 15mm pedal wrench since the pedals don't have flats? oh no!

You did grease the spindle and just snug it (not crank it), when installing, right?

You know the basics - drive side loosen counter-clockwise as you look at the bike, non-drive side loosen clockwise as you look at the bike, right?

But you can't get them to budge using a basic short or "long" 8mm allen.

So before you soak it in WD-40 or remove the crank or get your blow torch out, try this.

First, get a proper 8mm hex pedal wrench. Like this: http://www.parktool.com/product/8mm-hex-tool-ht-8
Now take some 212 B.C. advice from Archimedes (if you never heard of him, look him up) who once said: δῶς μοι πᾶ στῶ καὶ τὰν γᾶν κινάσω (Give me a lever and a place to stand and I will move the earth)

Trouble is, I always felt awkward one foot on a pedal and pulling UP. Or stepping down with my foot on the skinny wrench. Kind of like a high risk game of Twister with possible bad results for either me or the frame. And, there is just no leverage with the bike in the stand.

And now for something completely different.

Flip bike upside down.
Point crank rearward.
Insert pedal wrench forward so crank and wrench make ~90d angle.
Make sure chain is on big ring.
Possibly put foam or a towel on the down tube so you won't ding it.
Wear a leather gardening glove to protect your hand if you think you will slip.

S-L-O-W-L-Y lean down on the pedal wrench with your body weight to break the offending pedal free.
Wait for the snap or pop sound of the pedal releasing.
STOP leaning on the wrench ASAP when you hear that sound.

SMILE and open a beer. Victory is now yours.

elliott · #2 10-22-2015, 07:31 PM

Or do the same thing right side up, with your foot putting pressure on the wrench. No chance of dinging the frame.

pdmtong · #3 10-22-2015, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elliott

Or do the same thing right side up, with your foot putting pressure on the wrench. No chance of dinging the frame.

Theoretically that works (done it), but who can consistently control the force and the connection of a foot on a wrench? And once it breaks free things can go flying. Body weight pressure > pushing a leg down.

BobbyJones · #4 10-22-2015, 08:24 PM

Life used to be easier when I had a house with a full workshop.

My first time in an apartment with a limited tools and a stuck pedal I looked around and found the first thing I could for leverage--- the extension shaft from a vacuum cleaner attachment.

Two and half feet is alot of leverage and keeps your hands away from sharp parts. The tubing diameter fits over most wrenches of all types.

It's now a go-to tool to get things unstuck.

dustyrider · #5 10-22-2015, 08:30 PM

Try a smaller wrench. Line it up with the crank arm, make a tight v if you're looking straight on, to allow you to cup the wrench and the crank arm in your hand. Then try to clench your fist. Make sure you're efforts are spent turning in the correct direction.

.

54ny77 · #6 10-22-2015, 08:44 PM

well thanks, you could have posted this a few weeks ago, when the ratchet with allen socket slipped out of the pedal end while applying a lot of torque, and my hand went straight into the chainrings.....

it's quite the sight seeing the full depth of a few big chainring teeth sunk all the way into the hand.

bikinchris · #7 10-22-2015, 08:52 PM

People are often confused about which way to turn the wrench when removing a pedal. Just hold the wrench and pedal the bike.

jeffwidman · #8 10-22-2015, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobbyJones

Life used to be easier when I had a house with a full workshop.

My first time in an apartment with a limited tools and a stuck pedal I looked around and found the first thing I could for leverage--- the extension shaft from a vacuum cleaner attachment.

Two and half feet is alot of leverage and keeps your hands away from sharp parts. The tubing diameter fits over most wrenches of all types.

It's now a go-to tool to get things unstuck.

Fantastic idea, especially because it's likely non-marring and likely will break before you get so much leverage that you'd break (in a non-intended way) what you were working on. My dad had a piece of metal pipe he always used, but it sometimes dinged stuff up when the nut/bolt finally loosened and the pipe swung through.

andyschen · #9 10-22-2015, 09:47 PM

you can try holding the crank arm while pulling towards or pushing away on the allen wrench. (using the crank arm as leverage) give it a shot and see if it works well for you too.