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That internet tip about greasing pedal threads actually wrecked my cranks

I always heard you should grease every thread on a bike, pedals included. Did that for like 5 years on my mountain bike. Then I swapped pedals last week and one crank arm just felt loose in the threads. Pulled it off and saw the aluminum threads were all stretched and worn down. Looked it up on a Park Tool video and they said pedals are supposed to be dry installed because the torque is so high and the grease lets them over tighten. Cost me $45 for a replacement crank arm. Now I'm telling every rider I meet to check their pedal install. Anyone else deal with stripped crank threads from too much grease?

3 comments

3 Comments

sam_thomas15d agoMost Upvoted

Well, actually, Park Tool says to grease pedal threads on metal cranks, just not on aluminum ones.

joelt7015d ago

Man, I greased my pedals so hard they practically got a spa day before quitting on me too.

vera_palmer15d ago

Oh man, "pedals are supposed to be dry installed" hit me right in the wallet. I did the same thing for years on my road bike, thought I was being so smart greasing every single thread like a good mechanic. Then I went to swap pedals before a century ride and the left crank was basically stripped clean. I had to borrow my buddy's bike and it totally killed my mood for the ride. Now I'm paranoid and I always check pedal torque with a proper wrench instead of just guessing, you know? Live and learn I guess, but it's a pricey lesson that a lot of us seem to find out the hard way.