gaucho777 

I have a pair of "unserviceable" Atom pedals. I like the pedals, but one of them has started to develop a lot of play. I'm sure one of the cone nuts has come loose, but it's behind a non-removable dust cap. I made a half-hearted attempt to pry off the dust cap but couldn't get it to budge. Has anyone successfully serviced this type of pedal without destroying the dust cap? If so, how? And can I expect a standard serviceable axle assembly behind the dust cap if I'm able to get it off?

redneckwes

More than likely the nut underneath is peened or welded. I have tried to rebuild some Atom 440 rat traps.

Miele Man

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...00-pedals.html

Atom pedals - how in the heck does this dustcap come off?

Cheers

gaucho777 

Thanks for the links @Miele Man.

For posterity, here's a direct link for the second thread (one of the links above brings me to a mirror "bike-air" site):
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ome-off-2.html

Since I love any excuse to buy a new tool, I wonder if a crown race remover might be useful in removing the pedal dust cap?

gaucho777 

UPDATE:

I did some work on the problematic pedal last night. I was not able to fully service the pedal, but it's in much better condition, full of fresh grease, and has significantly less play.

First, I placed the pedal in a vise with wood blocks, and then removed the pressed-in dust cap with a chisel. I went easy so as not to damage the chisel, and the cap came out fairly easily.



Inside, I discovered some old grease covering a strange "nut" at the end. Rather than a standard nut, the end of the axle assembly had a round nut with radial notches on top. Would this be considered a swagged nut? It is round along circumference and no real place to grab onto. I tried to tighten it down by clamping the axle flats into the vise and using a small punch on the raised notches but I'm not sure if I was doing anything other than risking a bent axle. I'd be curious to know how this nut was installed at the factory.





At this point I figured I wouldn't be able to fully service the pedal, but I wanted to service it as best I could.

First, I soaked the pedal in kerosene, agitating it a little periodically. Then I put the pedal through an ultra-sonic cleaner in kerosene (important not to use the heat function). After a couple cycles, I let the pedal dry and the kerosene evaporate.



Then I went about putting new grease in the pedal. You can only get so much grease into the bearings, and the bearings on the back end are not easily accessible. I then realized I could fill up the end of the pedal with grease and push it down into the bearings with my thumb.



My technique was to cover the entire top with my thumb in a plastic bag, and then press down firmly. A little grease would come out the side at the top, but I knew some was also getting into the bearings because I could hear a little bubbling sounds come out the back end. I kept repeating this step of adding grease and pressing it into the bearings until the bubbling stopped a bit of sludge came out the bottom. Then I repeated one more time and fresh grease came out the end.



At this point, most of the play in the pedal was gone. A little rust treatment on the dust cap, clips and toe strap buckle, and it's got a new lease on life.

eschlwc

^ excellent work, gaucho.

now i know where to send my atom pedals.

redneckwes

Nice job!

I might have to resurrect a couple of pairs of 440 rat traps.

juvela

great to see this happily sorted!

that @#$% *&^% nut arrangement is enough to make one want to start throwing spanners...

jonwvara 

Why does the title of this thread remind me of that hit song from Man of La Mancha?

"For the world shall be better for this
That one man, knuckles scarred by sharp metal,
Still strove with his last ounce of courage,
To service the unserviceable pedal..."

JohnDThompson 

Nice save.

I've always considered those as "No User-Serviceable Parts Inside."

jgedwa

Good job. But that is chisel abuse.

Jim

OldsCOOL

Good job!