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Removing pedals - what makes it difficult, sometimes?

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Old 05-10-16, 05:36 AM
  #1  
gauvins
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Removing pedals - what makes it difficult, sometimes?

I've packed our bikes for travel yesterday night. Removing pedals (shimano spd T780) from the crankset (xt 780) has been easy 3 times our of four. But in one case, I've had to use a 25 cm (10 inches) length of pipe in order to get enough leverage to "un seize" the fourth. No big deal since we were home, but would have been an issue had it happen on our return leg since I am not in the habit of carrying pipe lengths when I travel...

The treads were greased and I do not recall having gorilla tightened the pedals last time I went through the travel routine in reverse.

For now I'll just be extra careful not to tighten pedals too much when I reassemble them, and try to live a good life so my karma shouldn't involve stuck pedals. But if there is a trick, I'd be happy to learn about it...
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Old 05-10-16, 06:26 AM
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Pedals are designed to self tighten as you ride.
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Old 05-10-16, 06:59 AM
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I fit pedal washers, greased with Tef-Gel anti-seize as well as the threads, as I think it makes removal easier and also helps prevent marring the cranks. Also be sure that the male and female threads are clean as grit can cause jamming. Also a purpose-made pedal wrench is long enough for good leverage; an adjustable wrench will often not be sufficient.
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Old 05-10-16, 07:02 AM
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Sometimes, for me, it's just the angle on the flats makes it impossible to get the correct leverage on the pedals.
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Old 05-10-16, 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by corrado33
Sometimes, for me, it's just the angle on the flats makes it impossible to get the correct leverage on the pedals.
Yes if you do not have the right angle trying to get leverage makes it worse, normally I try to have about 30'degrees difference between the crank arm & the pedal spanner with the pedal away from me.
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Old 05-10-16, 10:52 AM
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Use never seize. Grease may stop some corrosion but you will still have problems if its steel in aluminum. I always use never seize on anything I think I might have to take apart somewhere down the line.

-SP
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Old 05-10-16, 11:01 AM
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One more thing. If your right pedal is that hard to remove, put the chain on the big chainring first. That way, if your wrench slips, you'll bugger up your hand less badly.
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Old 05-10-16, 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
One more thing. If your right pedal is that hard to remove, put the chain on the big chainring first. That way, if your wrench slips, you'll bugger up your hand less badly.
Oooo that's a good one. I'll have to do that next time. Usually I just use the palm of my hand on the wrench (don't wrap my fingers) so that if I do slip, it's to the outside of the wrench/chainrings.
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Old 05-10-16, 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by gauvins
I've packed our bikes for travel yesterday night. Removing pedals (shimano spd T780) from the crankset (xt 780) has been easy 3 times our of four. But in one case, I've had to use a 25 cm (10 inches) length of pipe in order to get enough leverage to "un seize" the fourth. No big deal since we were home, but would have been an issue had it happen on our return leg since I am not in the habit of carrying pipe lengths when I travel...

The treads were greased and I do not recall having gorilla tightened the pedals last time I went through the travel routine in reverse.

For now I'll just be extra careful not to tighten pedals too much when I reassemble them, and try to live a good life so my karma shouldn't involve stuck pedals. But if there is a trick, I'd be happy to learn about it...
The previous bike mechanic may have used an even longer pipe. Otherwise some dirt and grit may have worked it's way into the threads.
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Old 05-10-16, 07:29 PM
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Precession.
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Old 05-10-16, 07:40 PM
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More often a problem on pedals than have been undisturbed for a long time
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Old 05-13-16, 06:09 AM
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I've had the same problem. I'm thinking of removing pedals once in while and recoat with anti seize. Good idea? Is a road bike.
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Old 05-13-16, 06:11 AM
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Originally Posted by IthaDan
That will keep them from spontaneously unthreading but won't make them super tight. Something else happened.

I've had the same problem. I'm thinking of removing pedals once in while and recoat with anti seize. Good idea? Is a road bike.
If you coated the threads well initially, it shouldn't be necessary to remove and recoat them more than say once a year or unless the bike is subject to routine and frequent water, salt, etc. exposure.
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Old 05-13-16, 07:19 AM
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Park pedal wrench Professional Pedal Wrench | Park Tool and an assisting friend is used In LBS

occasionally.. Or stepping on the wrench, while bike on the ground...

will have to do that as E>W touring bikes get shipped back east again.
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Old 05-13-16, 08:14 AM
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15mm wrench and a hammer. Have yet to encounter an UN-removable pedal.
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Old 05-13-16, 11:36 AM
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I use a wrench and tap with hammer also. Same principal as an impact tool, breaks it loose.
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Old 05-13-16, 09:19 PM
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I align the wrench so that I can use my foot to step down on the wrench, with the bike on the ground. Usually this is possible. Much more torque than hands, and if my foot slips, I'm wearing a shoe.
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Old 05-13-16, 10:34 PM
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For me, removing a pedal is a bit like installing a USB plug: I have to turn it 3 different directions.
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Old 05-13-16, 11:42 PM
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cheater bars.. uh not the brake kind. A combination wrench makes a good cheater in a pinch. You can break tools this way though. I know, it's not an answer to the question.
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Old 05-14-16, 11:19 AM
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I always use anti-seize on pedals. Available at any auto parts store for $3-$4. Liberally apply to threads before assembly. Never have another stuck pedal again.

ITW Global Brands 81343 Anti-Seize Lubricant-1OZ ANTI-SEIZE LUBE - Walmart.com
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