Serious question, has anyone else seen a seized seatpost finally come loose after soaking in penetrating oil for a full week?

I had a steel frame with an aluminum post that wouldn't budge after two days, but after letting it sit for seven, it twisted out with normal force. What's your go-to method for the really stuck ones?

3 comments

3 Comments

umar496d ago

Ever try the old "frame in a freezer, post in the sun" trick? I once left a bike outside overnight in winter, then poured hot water over the seat tube. The crack it made still haunts me, but the post did slide right out.

terry8356d ago

That "crack it made" line gave me chills. I once got a seized post out by clamping the saddle in a bench vise and using the whole frame as a lever. It worked, but the whole time I was just waiting for that exact sound. Felt like I was getting away with something when it finally spun free without breaking.

claire_grant345d ago

Ever notice how the best fix for something stuck is just waiting longer? Umar49's freezer trick is basically that, using time and temperature. We're all so trained to force things right now, but some problems just need to soak or sit. It's like waiting for glue to dry or paint to cure, you can't rush it. That post coming loose after a week proves sometimes the only tool you need is more patience.