We travel mile after mile with our bikes. No doubt, it brings joy and fun to us. However, with such extensive traveling, the bike accumulates dust, residues, and grimes in many parts. Following it, you will see the most residual development around the pedal. As a result, the pedal often gets stuck, making its removal process incredibly challenging.
So, we will show you how to remove stuck bike pedals. It will be helpful if you want to maintain and replace the bike pedals. Also, removing a stuck pedal from the bike is a straightforward process. It needs only a couple of minutes.
You will need lubricating oil, a hammer, and an adjustable wrench to remove the stuck bike pedal. As you begin, put the bike on a stable platform. Then, understand the left and right threads of the pedal to move it correctly. Finally, you may align the bike pedal and push its spindle to undo and remove it.
So, let’s check the undoing process of the bike pedal and its safety tips.
How to Remove Stuck Bike Pedals
You need to undo the bike pedal to maintain and replace it timely. However, it happens that you try removing the pedal to see if it got stuck. So, it won’t budge. You thought releasing a stuck bike pedal at that time was pretty impossible. So, you ask, “How do remove tough bike pedals?”
Well, this DIY case is super-easy. You need to eliminate the grease and dust around the pedal and align it properly. Then, removing it from its position becomes a quick hack.
Step 1: Position the bike in a stable place
Before beginning the stuck pedal removal process, you must place the bike on a flat surface. The key is to keep the bike in an upright position so that it doesn’t fall on the ground. If the bike wobbles or falls off, many parts may get damaged. Also, it will make the removal process tougher and more time-consuming.
We recommend you use a bike repair stand. It will keep the bike upright and stop it from tumbling. So, you can concentrate on working with the greases and residues around the pedal to unstuck it.
- Place the repairing stand or mounting arm on a flat surface.
- Position your bike within the stand or arm. Ensure it is locked properly.
- Finally, turn the crank arm of the bicycle to align its pedals.
Moving the crank arm allows you to access the pedals easily. It also helps in accurate alignment for working easiness. Alternatively, you can flip the bike and place it upside down.
Step 2: Apply penetrating oil
Once you have positioned the bike with proper steadiness, you can start unsticking the pedal. At first, you will require applying penetrating oil around the pedals. It will weaken the greases and also lubricate the pedal.
Penetrating oils come with natural and artificial elements to loosen the metal parts of the bike. It makes unsticking the pedal easier. Plus, you may need to use a degreaser if the pedal has built too many residues and grease.
You need to get the penetrating oil or degreaser on the spray bottle. Spray it over the pedals and its surroundings carefully. After that, you must wait for a couple of minutes. It allows the degreaser and penetrating oil to unstuck the pedals.
When the penetrating oil has settled over the pedal and surrounding surface, you can work with it. The key is to allow the oil to soak inside the pedals. Moreover, you should apply heat around the pedals. It will quicken the soaking process of the penetrating oil.
If the grease and residue build up is too much, you must keep the degreaser and penetrating oil overnight. Overnight soaking of the oil will remove even the most intense residues. another article How To Store Bikes Outside.
Step 3: Understand pedal threads properly to turn it
You must align it properly as you plan to unstuck and remove the pedal. For this, you have to understand in which direction to turn the bike pedals. It is crucial because the right and left pedals have opposing directions for the threading.
If you don’t know which direction the threading direction is for the pedals, you can’t turn it correctly. So, when loosening the pedals, you must find their thread direction. Then, you may move them accordingly to remove them.
- The thread of the right pedal will be in the right-handed direction. You should move it counterclockwise and loosen it appropriately.
- The thread of the left pedal will be in the left-hand direction. You have to loosen it by turning the thread in a clockwise direction.
Following this rotatory trick of the right and left pedal thread, you can quickly loosen them.
Step 4: Aligning the pedals accurately
Now, it’s time to align both pedals accordingly. However, you don’t have to align the pedals in the same direction and position. These two pedals will have different alignments.
- The pedal at the drive side should be at the 3 o’clock position.
- For the non-drive pedal, its placement should be at 9 o’clock.
- You have to move the threads of the pedals using a wrench.
If you find it challenging to align the pedals, you can use a thin wooden block to position them safely. It will keep the two pedals at accurate placement. Finally, push a pedal wrench through it. You should use a 15mm pedal wrench.
Alternatively, you may even use an open-end wrench with the exact specifications. If you don’t have the pedal wrench, this wrench works perfectly too. With the wrench, you must move the pedal threading in the right direction.
Step 5: Undoing the spindles to remove the pedals
The pedals are connected to the bike through a spindle. You must undo the spindle to remove the pedals from the bike. The spindle is nothing but a connecting rod of the pedal.
- Start rotating the pedal wrench carefully, following the right direction
- Push the spindle of the bike pedal at hard as possible
- To push the spindle out, tap the wrench with a rubber hammer
- As you tap the wrench with the hammer, you must ensure that you locked the wrench
- Also, ensure proper positioning of the pedal threads while tapping the wrench with the hammer.
- You must turn the thread of the pedal and push the spindle until the pedals come out
- Once you have removed one pedal on one side, follow the same tricks on the other side for another pedal.
This way, you may quickly unstick the pedal to remove it. Finally, you can inspect the bicycle pedals and fix them if necessary. So, now you should fully understand how you remove tough bike pedals.
Never Ignore Proper Safety Tips And Maintenance Guidelines
We have already described the ways to remove stuck bike pedals. However, while doing so, you mustn’t overlook the bike’s safety and maintenance tips, pedals, and other parts. It will provide you with a better and smoother riding experience.
- You should never overstress the bike pedal. Otherwise, the pedal may break away and become unusable.
- The bike must be on a flat surface with the bike repair stand. It shouldn’t wobble and move.
- Don’t hold your breath for too long as you apply pressure on the pedals with the wrench. Or else, you can lose strength, and the work will remain unfinished.
- Wear gloves while working with the pedals and wrench. It will protect your hands and fingers from unwanted cuts.
- Lastly, never forget to take your bike to a mechanic twice a year for proper maintenance. It will keep the bicycle in the best possible condition for the longest time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the pedals on my bike stuck?
The gradual development of mud, dust, and residues around the pedal could cause it to get stuck. As you ride the bike for months, grease and residue develop around the pedal. So, it can’t move freely and gets stuck.
Can I use a regular wrench to remove the pedals?
It is possible to use a regular wrench to undo the bike pedals. You will need a wrench with a 15mm specification for the job. However, it won’t provide you with as much leverage as a pedal wrench would provide.
What size Allen key do you need for bike pedals?
If you have to use an Allen wrench, its measurement should be 6mm. If you use a larger Allen wrench, the pedal won’t accept it.
Conclusion
The next time you ask how you loosen your bike pedals, this guideline will help you superbly. You must align the bike pedals properly and use the wrench to undo the spindle. While you undo the pedals, make sure the bike doesn’t wobble. Or else, the pedal alignment may not be accurate, and you have to restart the process.
Recent Posts
Hitch bike racks to cars are great forms of carriers. There is the perfect device to bring three bicycles at once. Using a hitch rack allows you to camping longer distances while tagging a bike rack...
I can give you some tips on what to look for when shopping for a Vortex Rangefinder . Consider the intended use of the Vortex Rangefinder. Do you need it for hunting, golfing, or some other...