should i try fixing this on my own or just take it to a local bike shop? im decently handy but havent dealt with something like this before …
Morall_tach on
You’re going to have to drill or tap it out.
talldaveos on
You could slice through the bolt (via that slot in the middle) with a dremel or cut-off grinder. Then take the collar apart with penetrating oil and violence. And at worst just replace the whole seat post clamp.
daimyo_96 on
Looks like there’s a mm or 2 poking out,maybe a good quality pair of vice grips or pliers and some penetrative oil in the threads and it may come out, otherwise as others have said your options are to use a reverse drill bit and a screw extracting kit or the more destructive dremel a flat head slot into the screw.
Feisty_Park1424 on
If it’s not really stuck you can try rotating it with a punch. If it’s really stuck the best way is to weld a nut onto the end of the stuck screw. An ezy-out can work if it’s a little stuck. You could also drill the centre of the screw but you’re much more likely to go squint and damage the part you’re trying to save
It is a £15 part, most (sane) mechanics would remove and replace rather than risk wasting 30 minutes ruining the part drilling it out
JohnHue on
Looking at the image, you didn’t tighten it too much, it was almost rusted through.
MyKidsFoundMyOldUser on
A new seatpost clamp is cheap. You could dremel this one off and replace it rather than spend hours trying to get the screw out and then find a new screw of the same size and pitch.
majorfarthead on
And you should be using a seatpost collar with separate mounts for rack. Salsa makes a lot of sizes. Stressing that bolt in too many ways.
owlpellet on
Since most people are suggesting replacing or removing the collar, I’ll point out that an EZ Out screw extractor kit costs about $12 and might work in a few minutes. It’s a reverse direction drill bit that binds up, allowing you to back out the bolt end. Some risk of damage to the threads, but them you’re back at Replace Collar option.
You can also hacksaw a line across the exposed bit and try a flathead screwdriver.
This works better if it was broken going in, rather than welded in place by age.
Defy19 on
Use an easy out. They exist for exactly this job
Number4combo on
I would try what others suggested with the easy out and drilling a hole for it. Hacksaw/dremel if that didn’t work.
On another note I hope you use a U lock along with that cable lock as that alone around here would be just a free bike to some scum walking by.
goodbenito- on
Trying to use a screw extractor not likely to work if this is as brittle as it looks. I’d start with a small drill bit, then drill all the way through low; then a slightly bigger one… until you can loosen the clamp. Then replace the clamp.
PKsHopper on
Can you insert a large blade screwdriver there and pry open the seat clamp? If not then I’d drill it out and buy a new clamp.
You can try one of those reverse threaded extractor screws before you try drilling it out – YMMV.
14 Comments
should i try fixing this on my own or just take it to a local bike shop? im decently handy but havent dealt with something like this before …
You’re going to have to drill or tap it out.
You could slice through the bolt (via that slot in the middle) with a dremel or cut-off grinder. Then take the collar apart with penetrating oil and violence. And at worst just replace the whole seat post clamp.
Looks like there’s a mm or 2 poking out,maybe a good quality pair of vice grips or pliers and some penetrative oil in the threads and it may come out, otherwise as others have said your options are to use a reverse drill bit and a screw extracting kit or the more destructive dremel a flat head slot into the screw.
If it’s not really stuck you can try rotating it with a punch. If it’s really stuck the best way is to weld a nut onto the end of the stuck screw. An ezy-out can work if it’s a little stuck. You could also drill the centre of the screw but you’re much more likely to go squint and damage the part you’re trying to save
It is a £15 part, most (sane) mechanics would remove and replace rather than risk wasting 30 minutes ruining the part drilling it out
Looking at the image, you didn’t tighten it too much, it was almost rusted through.
A new seatpost clamp is cheap. You could dremel this one off and replace it rather than spend hours trying to get the screw out and then find a new screw of the same size and pitch.
And you should be using a seatpost collar with separate mounts for rack. Salsa makes a lot of sizes. Stressing that bolt in too many ways.
Since most people are suggesting replacing or removing the collar, I’ll point out that an EZ Out screw extractor kit costs about $12 and might work in a few minutes. It’s a reverse direction drill bit that binds up, allowing you to back out the bolt end. Some risk of damage to the threads, but them you’re back at Replace Collar option.
You can also hacksaw a line across the exposed bit and try a flathead screwdriver.
This works better if it was broken going in, rather than welded in place by age.
Use an easy out. They exist for exactly this job
I would try what others suggested with the easy out and drilling a hole for it. Hacksaw/dremel if that didn’t work.
On another note I hope you use a U lock along with that cable lock as that alone around here would be just a free bike to some scum walking by.
Trying to use a screw extractor not likely to work if this is as brittle as it looks. I’d start with a small drill bit, then drill all the way through low; then a slightly bigger one… until you can loosen the clamp. Then replace the clamp.
Can you insert a large blade screwdriver there and pry open the seat clamp? If not then I’d drill it out and buy a new clamp.
You can try one of those reverse threaded extractor screws before you try drilling it out – YMMV.
Screwed? I would have bolted