Old guy at the shop told me to use grease on pedal threads, I thought he was crazy

I was rebuilding my commuter last week and this 70 year old mechanic named Jerry said to lube up pedal threads before installing them. I figured that would just make them spin loose so I did it dry instead. Now I can't get the damn pedals off without a breaker bar, anyone got tips for removing seized pedals that wont strip the crank?

3 comments

3 Comments

grantp2827d ago

Old Jerry was right. Grease or even a little anti-seize compound keeps the threads from galling. What happens is the aluminum crank and steel pedal threads basically weld themselves together from corrosion and friction. You can try hitting the back of the crank arm with a rubber mallet a few times to break it free, then soak the threads with penetrating oil like PB Blaster for a good hour. After that, put a pedal wrench on it and give it a sharp quick turn.

patriciah5127d ago

That's exactly what happened on my old beater bike, the steel pedal threads fused right into the aluminum crank after a winter of road salt. @grantp28 nailed it, that rubber mallet trick and a good soak in PB Blaster is the only way I've ever gotten them loose without snapping something.

jessica_robinson2315d ago

So basically my bike turned into a fancy paperweight after one salty winter.