Unusal Stuck Seat Post Quandary
#1
Thrifty Bill
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,526
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
Unusal Stuck Seat Post Quandary
I get about a half dozen stuck posts a year, I thought I had seen them all.
This one is a new one. Typically, if I can turn the seat post in the frame, it will come out, and usually, once I can rotate the frame a full 360 degrees, the post will be out in about a minute.
I cut out posts that refuse to budge, despite encouragement. I have learned to not encourage it too much (damaged a frame once, oops).
This one was completely stuck initially, but with the addition of Kroil, and some gentle persuasion, it started to move. Now it moves pretty freely, I can rotate it around and around, no problem. I've got the seat post mounted on my large bench vise, with the main frame attached (everything else stripped off the bike).
The problem is that the post will not move up or down. It just turns at a set height. Seat tube does not appear to be bulged, and the post measures 27.0mm.
Before I cut this bad boy out, has anyone else had this problem?
Its been rotating freely since Saturday. I spin it around several times, lube it up with Kroil, and let it sit for a while. Seat tube does warm up while I am working it.
Bike is a 1984 Trek 520, Reynolds 501 tubing. I paid typical stuck post price for it.
This one is a new one. Typically, if I can turn the seat post in the frame, it will come out, and usually, once I can rotate the frame a full 360 degrees, the post will be out in about a minute.
I cut out posts that refuse to budge, despite encouragement. I have learned to not encourage it too much (damaged a frame once, oops).
This one was completely stuck initially, but with the addition of Kroil, and some gentle persuasion, it started to move. Now it moves pretty freely, I can rotate it around and around, no problem. I've got the seat post mounted on my large bench vise, with the main frame attached (everything else stripped off the bike).
The problem is that the post will not move up or down. It just turns at a set height. Seat tube does not appear to be bulged, and the post measures 27.0mm.
Before I cut this bad boy out, has anyone else had this problem?
Its been rotating freely since Saturday. I spin it around several times, lube it up with Kroil, and let it sit for a while. Seat tube does warm up while I am working it.
Bike is a 1984 Trek 520, Reynolds 501 tubing. I paid typical stuck post price for it.
#2
MIKE is my name!
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: finland,baltimore
Posts: 2,846
Bikes: hans lutz, , puch mistral ultima,2x Austro Daimler Smoked chrome Ultima,Austro Daimler Mixte,Austro Daimler 531 mixte, flying arrow,F Moser,
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times
in
4 Posts
Bill,can you wack it in further, then you might get some up and down movement going?
I once pulled the bb, just so I could get under the post and soak it from that end also.
mike
I once pulled the bb, just so I could get under the post and soak it from that end also.
mike
#3
Thrifty Bill
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,526
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
I thought about giving it a wack inward, I still am hoping it will just come out. BB is out, maybe I'll ease some Kroil in that way.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 150 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 34 Times
in
27 Posts
I suspect that theres a ledge of aluminum oxide hooking on to more corrosion, that's keeping you from pulling out the post, but letting you spin it. You have to break up that corrosion ledge with some impact force and additional doses of penetrant. Find something metal to hook on to the head/clamp assembly of the post and hit it upwards (or downwards, depending on the position of the frame) with a dead blow mallet, to break up the corrosion further and pull out the post.
Last edited by Chombi; 05-21-13 at 03:16 PM.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 150 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 34 Times
in
27 Posts
I dunno,........killing a nice seatpost feels like killing kittens to me sometimes.......save the kitten!
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,486
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 969 Post(s)
Liked 1,632 Times
in
1,048 Posts
Stuck posts - Sometimes its just your turn - I would not be surprised if some big cities had a shop specifically niched for this dilemma - Good Luck...
Is there a patron saint for stuck posts???
Is there a patron saint for stuck posts???
#11
Get off my lawn!
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: The Garden State
Posts: 6,031
Bikes: 1917 Loomis, 1923 Rudge, 1930 Hercules Renown, 1947 Mclean, 1948 JA Holland, 1955 Hetchins, 1957 Carlton Flyer, 1962 Raleigh Sport, 1978&81 Raleigh Gomp GS', 2010 Raliegh Clubman
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 98 Times
in
48 Posts
Think ya cut a ridge into it maybe? Tap it in and it should twist back out.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Central CA
Posts: 98
Bikes: 1980 Gios Torino Super Record, 1989 Bridgestone RB2, 1985 Trek 520 Touring Rig, 1983 Trek 720, 1985 Guerciotti Sprint, Panasonic DX5000, Miyata 916, 1989 Bridgestone MB2, '87 Schwinn High Sierra, Miyata Ridge Runner
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
How about attaching a slide hammer and try a little tap tap?
#13
Thrifty Bill
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,526
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
Part of the problem is my bench is not bolted to the wall or floor. That's a modification I will make later. So even though the vise and bench are large, I tend to chase them across the floor while pulling (a tree would work better).
Since the bench is in the living room of my duplex, not yet ready to bolt it down.
Since the bench is in the living room of my duplex, not yet ready to bolt it down.
#14
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 489
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Part of the problem is my bench is not bolted to the wall or floor. That's a modification I will make later. So even though the vise and bench are large, I tend to chase them across the floor while pulling (a tree would work better).
Since the bench is in the living room of my duplex, not yet ready to bolt it down.
Since the bench is in the living room of my duplex, not yet ready to bolt it down.
#15
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,868
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2937 Post(s)
Liked 2,934 Times
in
1,497 Posts
I would even try the saddle bit and just stand on it. Then you can twist and pull up a bit with the frame or vice versa
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 150 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 34 Times
in
27 Posts
Good you're in NC, as the green police in parts like here in CA might not take kindly to people "attacking" trees with their bikes....
#17
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,194
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Mentioned: 132 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1565 Post(s)
Liked 1,296 Times
in
866 Posts
I suspect that theres a ledge of aluminum oxide hooking on to more corrosion, that's keeping you from pulling out the post, but letting you spin it. You have to break up that corrosion ledge with some impact force and additional doses of penetrant. Find something metal to hook on to the head/clamp assembly of the post and hit it upwards (or downwards, depending on the position of the frame) with a dead blow mallet, to break up the corrosion further and pull out the post.
"Think ya cut a ridge into it maybe? Tap it in and it should twist back out."
I've used toe straps (several as needed) to hang frames by their stuck posts from an outdoor stair-rail, hanging from the post head.
I can then have a large helper put a hundred or more pounds of gravitational force on the frame, so that my further post-twisting efforts cause the post to move vertically.
I've even done this by myself, but the gymnastics were abusive to the old sleleton to say the least, leaving me with wrist soreness and bruises from the frame slapping around while I pushed down on the bb junction with my foot while twisting the post with an 18" adj wrench.
The posts always came out.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 7,922
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1627 Post(s)
Liked 630 Times
in
356 Posts
I'm almost hoping to run into a really stuck seatpost, so I can try it. All the ones I've has to persuade came out easy enough after a day or two of basting in PB blaster.
__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Yukon, Canada
Posts: 8,759
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 113 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
14 Posts
there is an amazing product from Wurth called rost-off ice which super cools and it really works on stuck posts. I used it many times in the shop and sometimes two of us would be pulling and twisting with the post in the vice and would eventually get it out. We save a very special custom quintana roo Tri bike with 650 wheels for a food customer... I was one of the hardest I have done. I did the cut an split once and I'll never do it again. You can get the post out with the right product and right tools.
__________________
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,674
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1372 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,752 Times
in
939 Posts
After severely damaging a late sixties Torpado frame, I never try to force a seat post or steering stem! I learned the hard way and, kitten or no kitten, I prefer to save the mommy cat. Wait till you pop the seat stay loose and see how you feel then. Or twist up a fork, thanks for fork forcing.
Nope, for me, the force will be with me, only if I do not force the component.
Nope, for me, the force will be with me, only if I do not force the component.
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
#21
Get off my lawn!
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: The Garden State
Posts: 6,031
Bikes: 1917 Loomis, 1923 Rudge, 1930 Hercules Renown, 1947 Mclean, 1948 JA Holland, 1955 Hetchins, 1957 Carlton Flyer, 1962 Raleigh Sport, 1978&81 Raleigh Gomp GS', 2010 Raliegh Clubman
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 98 Times
in
48 Posts
When I lived in WV, the pulling woulda been done with a pick'm up truck and beer.........aaahhhhh youthful endeavors......remember to protect the rear window wth a piece of plywood or something....just in case something breaks loose
#22
Thrifty Bill
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,526
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
I will give this bad boy one more day, then its time to "cut" my losses.
I am painting a greenhouse right now anyway, with 38 wood windows. Oh joy! So its not hurting anything to wait (and I have a huge pile of other bikes to work on).
I am painting a greenhouse right now anyway, with 38 wood windows. Oh joy! So its not hurting anything to wait (and I have a huge pile of other bikes to work on).
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Washington County, Vermont, USA
Posts: 3,778
Bikes: 1966 Dawes Double Blue, 1976 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1975 Raleigh Sprite 27, 1980 Univega Viva Sport, 1971 Gitane Tour de France, 1984 Lotus Classique, 1976 Motobecane Grand Record
Mentioned: 77 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 765 Post(s)
Liked 660 Times
in
351 Posts
It's St. Jude, I think.
__________________
www.redclovercomponents.com
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long."
--Ogden Nash
www.redclovercomponents.com
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long."
--Ogden Nash
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Grand Rapids MN
Posts: 233
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
If it is aluminum post stuck in a steel frame I like to pull the bottom bracket, invert the bike, and pour ammonia down the seat tube if it is a sealed seat post, give it about two or three days and usually the ammonia eats the corrosion, and a little pulling/twisting gets it out fine.
#25
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,509
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7353 Post(s)
Liked 2,480 Times
in
1,439 Posts
After severely damaging a late sixties Torpado frame, I never try to force a seat post or steering stem! I learned the hard way and, kitten or no kitten, I prefer to save the mommy cat. Wait till you pop the seat stay loose and see how you feel then. Or twist up a fork, thanks for fork forcing.
Nope, for me, the force will be with me, only if I do not force the component.
Nope, for me, the force will be with me, only if I do not force the component.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.