Seized Seatpost

[Bike Whisperer]

I have an old Scott Scale (a good 5 years old) which has been my trusty steed for many training rides. It's carbon and I have an alloy (Momsen) seatpost, 31.6mm, which I have not touched for years as the fit is just right.

 

The seatpost is properly stuck. Yes, I know... "Bike Whisperer" my a#%e. Bring me any mechanical issue and I'll solve it... stuck XT brake lever, seized cassette, any bearing niggle, exploded shifter and I'm all over it like a rash. But this baby, besides cutting it out, is causing me some serious therapy bills.

 

Any one out there who managed to separate a PROPERLY seized alu post from a carbon frame without using the angle grinder?

 

I have tried Q20, an assortment of lubes and greases (industrial and domestic), heat to expand the seat tube, ice to shrink the seatpost, hammers and mallets, an industrial size vice, obscene amounts of foul language, patience and prayer (I'm not even religious), but nothing seems to weaken the molecular bond that has seemingly welded the two together. I recently heard a soaking in Coke may do the trick so will try that this weekend, but am a little worried it may dissolve the entire frame if one believes the experts who claim our internals are being dissolved by this chemical weapon.

 

Any advice, useful or entertaining will be considered.

[dirtypot]

Coke.  Been there, done that.

I tried everything I could but in the end coke is the only thing that worked.

Flip the frame upside down so that the seat post is the lowest point, then flood the frame with coke (you can have some yourself too if you don't mind your insides being dissolved).  Leave it like that for at least 24hrs, then try to knock it out again.  Don't try to speed up the process, it takes time.  In the end I had the seat post in a vice and gently twisted the frame side to side.  It started to move more and more - eventually a small 'crack' sound and it was free.

 

Good luck!  

[Patchelicious]

Turn the bike upside down, and pour coke into the frame, let it sit overnight.

 

I got my alu seat post out of my old carbon Fuji like that.

 

Edit: oops, do exactly what dirtypot said....

[BDF]

It may be a long shot but maybe try a PTFE lube spray (I know Muck off make one). These have great spreading qualities and may just be able to get in where Q20 and other stuff didn't. R99 for a can and you don't have to fear that it will dissolve your carbon frame! BTW Coke has a Ph of only 2.52. Hydrochloric acid has a Ph of 2.0  Just saying...

[Uni]

How does one suddenly decide one day to fill your frame with coke and see what happens. That's a life hack worth noting.

[Patchelicious]

How does one suddenly decide one day to fill your frame with coke and see what happens. That's a life hack worth noting.

Coke seems to be brilliant for losts of things, just dont drink it!

[BaGearA]

also first try to turn it it may not go up but getting it to turn will help get coke , or whatever you are using to get in where ever there is still bondage

 

Good luck

[Lou Zealand]

This may help:

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/154933-seatpost-jammed-in-steel-mtb-frame/?hl=seatpost

[Bobbo_SA]

Turn the bike upside down, and pour coke into the frame, let it sit overnight.

 

I got my alu seat post out of my old carbon Fuji like that.

 

Edit: oops, do exactly what dirtypot said....

 

Do you mix the powder with something to make it "pour-able"?

[Martin PJ]

I used Q5, frame upside down for an hour and then a bobbejaan spanner. Made some marks on the seatpost, but I still use the post.

 

Everyone said the seatpost could not be removed and I needed to drill it out.

[Patchelicious]

Do you mix the powder with something to make it "pour-able"?

Pour it like sand through an hour glass ????

[Ttocs]

Coke.  Been there, done that.

I tried everything I could but in the end coke is the only thing that worked.

Flip the frame upside down so that the seat post is the lowest point, then flood the frame with coke (you can have some yourself too if you don't mind your insides being dissolved).  Leave it like that for at least 24hrs, then try to knock it out again.  Don't try to speed up the process, it takes time.  In the end I had the seat post in a vice and gently twisted the frame side to side.  It started to move more and more - eventually a small 'crack' sound and it was free.

 

Good luck!  

Spot on, I worked in a bike shop 20 years ago an we used  Coca Cola to remove stuck seat posts, remove rust from chains and loosen ceased BB.

It's also the first drink pro's reach for when properly blown up in a race.

[johannrissik]

FYI Caustic soda eats aluminum and people have used that in place of Coke. It raises the stakes somewhat as it is dangerous and heat will be generated. Google will tell you more

[Edition 507]

Turn the bike upside down, and pour coke into the frame, let it sit overnight.

 

 

Brandy and coke actually works much better. Pour the coke down your bike frame and the brandy down your own frame. Leave for 24hrs lest you damage the bike or yourself while in a drunken state!

[Bobbo_SA]

Brandy and coke actually works much better. Pour the coke down your bike frame and the brandy down your own frame. Leave for 24hrs lest you damage the bike or yourself while in a drunken state!

 

Best done in equal portions....

[van Aswegen]

I have an old Scott Scale (a good 5 years old) which has been my trusty steed for many training rides. It's carbon and I have an alloy (Momsen) seatpost, 31.6mm, which I have not touched for years as the fit is just right.

 

The seatpost is properly stuck. Yes, I know... "Bike Whisperer" my a#%e. Bring me any mechanical issue and I'll solve it... stuck XT brake lever, seized cassette, any bearing niggle, exploded shifter and I'm all over it like a rash. But this baby, besides cutting it out, is causing me some serious therapy bills.

 

Any one out there who managed to separate a PROPERLY seized alu post from a carbon frame without using the angle grinder?

 

I have tried Q20, an assortment of lubes and greases (industrial and domestic), heat to expand the seat tube, ice to shrink the seatpost, hammers and mallets, an industrial size vice, obscene amounts of foul language, patience and prayer (I'm not even religious), but nothing seems to weaken the molecular bond that has seemingly welded the two together. I recently heard a soaking in Coke may do the trick so will try that this weekend, but am a little worried it may dissolve the entire frame if one believes the experts who claim our internals are being dissolved by this chemical weapon.

 

Any advice, useful or entertaining will be considered.

I had a carbon seatpost stuck in an alloy tube. Nothing would move it. used BRUNOX Lub & Cor. reapplied every few hours. after 48 hours, came loose, unbelievable stuff