Tricks for loosening too tight hex bolts?

[r900]

If everything is still tight (key in head) and you say that most all your bolts in you bike were orvertorqued,AND you are ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE that you are turning in the correct direction then we go to a cheater.Find a pipe or crescent wrench to slip over end of wrench to gain a longer handle to twist that little bugger out.There is a risk that something could break but its nothing an electric drill and a good bit wouldn't take care of. It wouldn't hurt to apply a little liq,wrench to threads anyway. Regards, Frank

[r900]

I don't think I'm much help.If the head of the bolt is exposed ,then a vice-grip wrench tool could be used to loosen it. This little pain in the pedal is lookin like a job for the wrench pro.

[KnottedYet]

The only kind of pedal I've ever changed is the kind where you unscrew the part right next to the crank (between the crank arm and the pedal). It's a rather narrow space, and the flat head of a pedal wrench just fits into it and grips the pedal axle quite firmly.

The guys at the LBS recommended an extra-long handled pedal wrench, which I'm glad I bought. It takes some serious leverage to get the pedal axle started. My wrench is probably about a foot and a half long.

There is no way I could get a pedal off with just the leverage of a hex key! I salute you for getting one off!!

[farrellcollie]

Thanks for all of the input-it was helpful. I had never seen this kind with the hex nut rather than needing a pedal wrench - which I have - I was mystified at first until I found out about the hex thing - then it took awhile to remove the first pedal.(when it finally came loose - I was absurdly proud). The pedal I can't get off is on the right side - so I am also manuevering around other things and cannot get as much leverage (how I lost some flesh). And my hand is rather sore from the hex key. Off to the LBS. I look like I have been through some kind of battle between my hand and several bruises from where I got whacked with the pedals whipping around at me. I have changed pedals on other bikes without this much drama.

[ridebikeme]

Although your pedals can be taken off with a hex wrench, as Deb mentioned, you should really be using a pedal wrench. Not only does the pedal wrench give you more leverage, but it won't slip as you keep mentioning. If a pedal wrench won't fit, ( as on some pedals they don't) try using a socket for added leverage.

Good lucK!

[yellow]

Although your pedals can be taken off with a hex wrench, as Deb mentioned, you should really be using a pedal wrench.

I'll respectfully say that you can't always use a pedal wrench. I have this very same problem right now (only way the pedals will come off is with a hex from the inside of the crankarm; there is nowhere to use a pedal wrench). I decided to just take it to the shop and have them do it...that way if anything gets damaged, they have to fix it! I'm still cursing the original shop that built the bike (and cussing at myself too for not noticing it until recently, when I wanted to switch to a lighter pedal).

[ridebikeme]

Umm... I can picture you having Shimano pedals? Have you tried using the socket wrench on the inside of the crank arm? I agree with you, wish that they had not changed their design... but it's all about that "Q" factor.

[farrellcollie]

I was just not strong enough to do it with the hex wrench. Also - this was the kind of pedal that a pedal wrench does not work on - bike shop used hex wrench too. except when they did it no one got bloody or bruised. These were folding pedals for a folding bike - I never fold it so I wanted campus pedals so I could clip in or not depending on the situation.

I like my folding bikes - but would never recommend a dahon to others because of all the propriatary parts - and some are just weird. My Downtube (now confiscated by partner who, after a year of cajoling, finally tried it and loved it and is calling it her bike now) is much easier to deal with and has been no trouble at all. The dahon has been a nightmare.