drop out adjuster screws seized

[garygkn]

I have an old touring bike which rides well.
However drop out adjuster screws are both seized.
I can remove the the back screw on caps by hand.
I have been spraying GT85 on them for the last 3 days.

The screw are posidrive but I'm not sure what exact size.

I wanted to remove them as I'd like to try this bike out as single speed/fixed with 32c tyres for the winter commute.

[Brucey]

if you are in no rush the longer you can leave it with the penetrating oil on the better. Heat will help when time comes to shift them. So will trying to turn both ends of the screw at the same time if you can gain purchase. Tapping the screw lengthwise using a light hammer can often help to shock the screw and break any bonds of corrosion there might be.

If they get really stuck then you can put a blob of weld metal on the end of the screw and this adds heat where they need it most. Often they come free when you do this even if they have resisted everything else prior to that.

Last resort is to drill out and retap; the thread is M3.

cheers

[Ugly]

If you going to change to a single speed just break off the part within the dropouts as you wont need the adjusters.

[garygkn]

Hi Ugly - I thought about removing them but then thought it's not reversible.
It would be better to get them out now rather than regret sawing them off later.

Hi Brucey,
I'll soak them for a while and then take your suggestions from there.

Many thanks.

[123malford]

I bought one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PROF-WINDPROO ... 20ee56d3fd and spent about an hour the other day alternately heating and spraying with GT85 a very seized adjuster one end of which had been snapped by persons unknown. It came out and there was only discoloration to the paintwork.

[garygkn]

Thanks for that.
I'm going to continue with some:

Toolstation penetrating oil - it has a good rep.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Automot ... Oil/p62311

And then heat!

[fastpedaller]

I bought one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PROF-WINDPROO ... 20ee56d3fd and spent about an hour the other day alternately heating and spraying with GT85 a very seized adjuster one end of which had been snapped by persons unknown. It came out and there was only discoloration to the paintwork.

The other option you could try ........ If you have a large soldering iron, you could heat it up and hold it for a couple of minutes on the screw to see if it helps - less danger of damaging the paint than a naked flame.

[garygkn]

Great idea.
I'll have a look for that soldering iron.

[fastpedaller]

Great idea.
I'll have a look for that soldering iron.

Needs to be a big one though - none of this mickey mouse stuff! An alternative would be a large bolt or similar heated to red heat with a blowtorch, and then held against the screw! I have a carbon arc attachment for the arc welder for heating items, it's very very hot and can melt steel in a few seconds - you certainly wouldn't want to try heating a bike frame with it!

[garygkn]

I may just be able to find the medium could even be small one.
I don't have anything bigger.
Maybe that lighter will get thigs hot enough?

[fastpedaller]

Why not try the soldering iron first - just to see if it'll do it before resorting to naked flame?

[garygkn]

I will do that.
I leant it out but I can get it back in about 10 days from now.
So for now I'll just soak the ends.

[barrym]

So for now I'll just soak the ends.

I'd recommend using a 'proper' penetrating oil like Plus Gas which 'penetrates' better than stuff intended for other/multiple purposes.

YMMV

[garygkn]

Cheers Barry.
I'll see if I can get some of this locally.

[daddig]

I removed mine in 1970Holdsworth by soaking in vinegar , warming with soldering iron . Came out with a bit of a struggle !