Found a hack for seized pedal threads that saved my cranks

Had a customer bring in an old Trek 520 last week with a pedal that would not budge. I tried penetrating oil, heat, even a breaker bar and nothing moved. Finally I flipped the bike upside down and dripped liquid wrench down the spindle hole from the backside of the crank arm, let it sit for 20 minutes, and the pedal came right off with just a standard 15mm wrench. Has anyone else tried this trick for stubborn pedal threads?

2 comments

2 Comments

jamesm382d ago

Wait, doesn't that risk getting penetrating oil all over your brake pads?

grace_wright2d ago

Used to think the same way. Saw a buddy do it without any issues and changed my mind.