replacing brake pad, and the thread.on removal.screw.gone

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as2shortplanks
Posts: 1
Joined: 30 Nov 2022, 6:35pm

replacing brake pad, and the thread.on removal.screw.gone

Post by as2shortplanks »

Back brake pad needed replacing so went to replace it to tonight. Seemed really right this time (replace them at least every 6 months).. So put some might behind it, and rhe allan key went around and ruined the head of the nut. I have tried a larger allan key bur wont fit. Have tried a different allan key and same thing.

Any ideas or past experince and how you solved it.

Tha ks
wirral_cyclist
Posts: 1024
Joined: 17 May 2010, 9:25pm
Location: Wirral Merseyside

Re: replacing brake pad, and the thread.on removal.screw.gone

Post by wirral_cyclist »

Thread gone, or head gone? Title differs to description.

Is it a rim brake pad(s), if so try and rotate the pad against something in/on socket head [1].
Disc pad(s) with small allen heads can cam out/round off, but often have split pin safety clip that can be used to turn in conjunction with an allen key.

[1] Socket head may be OK and the allen key rounded off, most keys are made of cheese/monkey metal/chinesium so a decent bit might bite, or a torx bit may hammer in to allow removal. Exposed socket heads can be gripped in mole grips.

As ever a photo helps.
Eyebrox
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Location: Ayrshire

Re: replacing brake pad, and the thread.on removal.screw.gone

Post by Eyebrox »

Take the wheel out and turn the brake pad and holder anti clockwise.
drossall
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Joined: 5 Jan 2007, 10:01pm
Location: North Hertfordshire

Re: replacing brake pad, and the thread.on removal.screw.gone

Post by drossall »

Try a screw extractor. There are lots of variations on the theme. Obviously you need the right size, although often they come in kits with a selection.
Barrowman
Posts: 441
Joined: 8 Jan 2022, 6:35pm

Re: replacing brake pad, and the thread.on removal.screw.gone

Post by Barrowman »

Assuming rim brakes,try penetrating oil first. When that has had time to work,
Put some electrical tape on the brake by the pad carrier to minimise potential damage .
Try a spanner on the pad/carrier to try and turn it . The head may just stay put until loose enough to finger turn. Like eyebrox suggests. Make sure there is only a round thread on the carrier for this, if it has flats inside the brake drop this won't work.
If turning the Carrier and pad doesn't work, remove the pad and you MAY find you can get some purchase on it there from inside the carrier (or carefully drill / Dremel from that side) Perhaps brake off the bike to minimise risk of damage to the bike !🛠😱
If the head is proud of the brake, hacksaw a slot and use a screwdriver .
Drill the head off .
Try tapping a Torx bit into it.

If this all fails


Sell it !🤣
Last edited by Barrowman on 2 Dec 2022, 8:56am, edited 3 times in total.
rjb
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Joined: 11 Jan 2007, 10:25am
Location: Somerset (originally 60/70's Plymouth)

Re: replacing brake pad, and the thread.on removal.screw.gone

Post by rjb »

So assuming these are rim brakes. Take wheel out. Use an adjustable spanner to rotate the brake block anticlockwise. This should loosen it all sufficiently to enable you to remove it using just your fingers. :wink:
At the last count:- Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X3, Raleigh 20 stowaway, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840 :D
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Paulkentuk
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Joined: 9 Sep 2022, 12:41pm

Re: replacing brake pad, and the thread.on removal.screw.gone

Post by Paulkentuk »

Any ideas or past experince and how you solved it.

Worth purchasing a mole grip if you don't already have one. You can torque these up to get a grip on the damaged head, and that might give you enough purchase.

I damaged a head similarly on a motorcycle clutch a long time ago. The only solution was to spot weld an old Allen key in place. That certainly worked !

You might find contacting a small local engineering company would do that, (for the price of a pint) if you give them a buzz.
DevonDamo
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Joined: 24 May 2011, 1:42am

Re: replacing brake pad, and the thread.on removal.screw.gone

Post by DevonDamo »

I wonder whether any of this is of use to the OP. Personally, I'd have just Googled for an instant answer to this and got on with repairing my brakes. I can't imagine sitting around for 3 days waiting for a forum to answer my question.
cycle tramp
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Joined: 5 Aug 2009, 7:22pm

Re: replacing brake pad, and the thread.on removal.screw.gone

Post by cycle tramp »

DevonDamo wrote: 2 Dec 2022, 8:36pm I wonder whether any of this is of use to the OP. Personally, I'd have just Googled for an instant answer to this and got on with repairing my brakes. I can't imagine sitting around for 3 days waiting for a forum to answer my question.
You are right there....

I think the mood of the technical forum has shifted since Brucey was forced to leave (due to I'll health). Whereas once we had posters posting about making changes and converting components and bicycles to make them work better or last longer, we now have a never ending stream of 'will part a fit my bike ?'

Well, why don't you go and find out, post about any difficulties you found, how you over came them and whether it was worth the hassle :-)
It's time to go :-)
wirral_cyclist
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Joined: 17 May 2010, 9:25pm
Location: Wirral Merseyside

Re: replacing brake pad, and the thread.on removal.screw.gone

Post by wirral_cyclist »

DevonDamo wrote: 2 Dec 2022, 8:36pm I wonder whether any of this is of use to the OP. Personally, I'd have just Googled for an instant answer to this and got on with repairing my brakes. I can't imagine sitting around for 3 days waiting for a forum to answer my question.
5hrs for 1st reply and another 3 inside 24hrs can't be described as ponderous. Google/youtube will have 3 solutions and 1 of them usually extreme in some way!
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geomannie
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Joined: 13 May 2009, 6:07pm

Re: replacing brake pad, and the thread.on removal.screw.gone

Post by geomannie »

Whereas once we had posters posting about making changes and converting components and bicycles to make them work better or last longer, we now have a never ending stream of 'will part a fit my bike ?'

Well, why don't you go and find out, post about any difficulties you found, how you over came them and whether it was worth the hassle :-)
I know what you mean, but the sad fact of the progression of modern bicycle designs means that compatibility of components is ever harder to determine. Determining apparently simple questions on interoperability can seem very daunting to the non-techical. Yes, details can be looked up on line, but only if you know all the questions to ask of Google.

We are where we are and the cash-concious non-specialist is left with the options of ponying up at a bike shop (& hope they get it right) or asking in forums like these. Personally I pine for the simplicity of yesteryear. I recently restored an old 5 speed with friction shifting: aesthetically pleasing in its shear simplicity.
geomannie
De Sisti
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Joined: 17 Jun 2007, 6:03pm

Re: replacing brake pad, and the thread.on removal.screw.gone

Post by De Sisti »

And as usual, you don't hear from the OP again (after his/her one and only post). :wink:
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simonineaston
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Location: ...at a cricket ground

Re: replacing brake pad, and the thread.on removal.screw.gone

Post by simonineaston »

note to self: when I am king, I will adapt the national curriculum to include cycling proficiency. This will have lessons on not only brake maintenance but also how to deal with sundry stripped threads. Daily Cycling Proficiency time will be after the cookery lessons and before the session on home budgeting. However all are smoke dreams as all will be dead long before I am king... Doh!
S
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
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