My SPD clip ripped out of my shoe and is stuck on the pedal. I've tried loosening the spring, but that hasn't helped. Any ideas?
42 comments · 95% upvoted · source · other discussions
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Statuethisisme
Johnnyfive123
Once it’s removed use locktite to reinstall in the shoe.
yesiamclutz
I'd thread a few bolts on to one of the nuts then put a socket on it and load it laterally.
tuctrohs
I think you mean a few nuts on the protruding bolts. But I like the idea.
yesiamclutz
Oops. Ta for the correction
[deleted]
Grab the cleat with a pair of pliers and with a firm grip, twist!
arcticsummer123 [OP]
[deleted]
Use your RAGE!
[deleted]
Remove the non-spring plate. They're replaceable. See the 3 chunky philips screws? This is what it looks like removed.
arcticsummer123 [OP]
Tried this, and two of the screws won't budge. Think the spring is holding them too tight?
[deleted]
Could be impact driven. I've never had to remove mine.
Also, other posters in this thread are generally correct in their advice. These things are dad burned tough, so feel free to take any kind of tool you like and have at it!
jjwhg
The product picture shows bolts with red thread locking compound, which is the permanent kind. It's much stronger than the blue removable kind you're probably used to. The red kind is so strong it's frequently stronger than the bolts, so you might break them trying to get it out. IIRC it's a CA glue (like super glue) and heat weakens it, but it's probably not a good idea to take a torch to your pedals unless you really need to.
I'd just actuate the pedal with a screwdriver, which is what I do to get the plastic flat pedal adapters off. The Park Tool video someone else linked is great!
BumpitySnook
Heat gun (blow drier on high) will weaken red loctite (263, for ex) — no need to break out the torch.
jjwhg
I was kind of surprised, as I've always used the torch for red Loctite, so I got some numbers. Looks like Loctite red is rated up to 450°F. My heat gun is rated at 750°F on low, 1100°F on high. A butane torch is 2600°F. Hair dryers are supposed to have a safety mechanism that avoids producing air over 140°F. The melting temperature of nylon is between 425°F and 500°F, depending on the type (PA6 is lower temperature than PA66). 6061-T6 is tempered for one hour at 400°F (or eight hours at 325°F).
So it looks like using a torch is a terrible idea as it's way too hot for everything involved, even aluminium. I figured it was too hot so I hadn't really been using it for bike stuff aside from a last resort (only once so far). That said, it looks like my heat gun is also way too hot for the plastics (and maybe the aluminium) and hair dryers are way too cold for the Loctite.
Poking around the internet I see you can get cheap "heat shrink guns" (presumably for the electronics market) that are temperature controlled at 400°F-500°F. I'll probably give one a whack next time I need to do something delicate, but I guess I'll use the heat gun next time.
BumpitySnook
Red does not require anything near 450 to partially weaken. This is the key figure from pg2 of the datasheet. Basically: any heat helps.
idimacali
you can open it up with a small hex key by inserting the key by the plate and prying open. I use that method when installing and removing the Shimano flat pedal adaptor (made of plastic, the tabs would be ruined quickly like cleats)
rkwfxd
You need a new bike. That’s not fixable. You NEED a new bike.
Pythonassum
alright, we get it, Sir Eric Lee M.D.
SingletrackCannuck
Take a flat head screw driver our any tool you don't mind prying on. Stick it between the front of the cleat and the portion of the pedal that pivots (it's the piece with the adjustment screw for release tension). Hold the pedal in one hand and pry forward towards the adjustment screw. The should separate it enough to get the cleat out. Might I also suggest some blue loctite for the cleat screws when you reinstall them. Hope this helps good luck.
The_Bike_Mage
Grab a pai of needle nose pliers and try turning it out of the pedal with the spring fully loosened
BumpitySnook
Have you tried threading your shoe back on to the bolts?
kabads
You'll need to use quite a force to prise it open. A bench vice would really help here. It's a shame that those things have kind of gone out of fashion.
jmatt1990
Mole grips on the bolt ends and twist. 👍
cjms85
Mole grips?
UnbeknownstNytennes
I used a flat screwdriver and twisted it and voilà. However, you better put the pedal back in the crank, it should be easier to apply force.
Goodmandnb
I've been in this situation before and used a large adjustable spanner to pinch the two bolts and twist it out.
420Deez
this is my biggest fear LOL i would be so mad
rhinosack
Hahaha, flat pedals are better. Flat pedals for life
There is an excellent Park Tool video on just this problem.
thebestjonbrown 6 points · Apr 2020
Wish I had found that video when this happened to me a couple of years ago. I just used a screwdriver, pried for an hour or so until I got it off.
[deleted] 6 points · Apr 2020
Calvin Jones may look like your typical neighborhood kiddie-creeper, but god damn is he an absolute treasure and I wouldn't know half the stuff I know about wrenching if it weren't for him