Not as strong as I thought that stuff was!
By koopharper
@koopharper (7599)
Canada
November 8, 2012 4:09pm CST
A week and a half ago my pedal arm came loose on my way to work. In fact it fell right off. Never had that happen to me before on that style of crank. I really didn't want it coming apart on me again so I went to the hardware store and bought some lock-tite for the bolt. Got the super strength version. On the back of the package it said that if I ever expected to get the parts apart again I would have to heat them to 450 degrees. I honestly thought I'd solved the problem once and for all. Fraid not. It started coming loose again after a little more than a week. Didn't fall off this time though. I've re-tightened it and am pretty much resigned to having to ride around with a wrench to put it right every time it starts loosening up. I have a spare crank on a derelict I scavenged but I'd rather not go through the trouble of switching them.
4 responses
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
9 Nov 12
I might try that later. First I have to get some kind of solvent to clean it all off. I'm not sure it's worth that much effort though.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
8 Nov 12
Perhaps the friction while you are riding heated it up enough to loosen it. Just have to make it part of your preventative maintenance to tighten it regularly.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
9 Nov 12
I seen friction cause parts to get pretty hot but I don't think I've made anything go all the way to 450 degrees. The lock-tite broke down into a granular schtuff that kept it from loosening up quickly but it did not hold it. It will be part of my regular maintenance to check to make sure that is staying tight.
In defense of the lock-tite the parts were likely not perfectly clean when it was applied. I think it would have given way anyway. I just don't generally think of myself as being strong enough to bust something like that loose.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
9 Nov 12
Aha, you need proper preparation.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
9 Nov 12
It could be the type of metal on your pedal arm. I hope it does not happen again. It would be kind of dangerous.
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
9 Nov 12
I believe all the parts are just regular steel. It is a pain in the posterior not really dangerous though. The pedal goes wonky long before it falls off and by that time I'm walking it for the most part. I just don't want to have to replace the parts. Bottom brackets are generally not cheap and not easy to replace.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
8 Nov 12
Isn#t there anything else that hou could do to solve this problem? This wojld seem like a bore to haver to cary around a wrench to put it right when it acts up. I hope that you can resolve this problem as I know how much how much you like to ride. I haven't ridden in many years. Not at all since I came to live in Jamaica. Too hot for me to do I suppose and now I am too old
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
9 Nov 12
I was hoping that the lock-tite would solve the problem permanently. I'm just going to have to put up with it for awhile. I don't have the cash to buy a high quality bike. I'll get a lot out of this one.
Too hot is rarely an issue here and this time of year it never is.
