Bottle cage problems

[lanternerouge]

Hi all

Just trying to change the bottle cage on my road bike.

think the screws have got a bit worn and can't undo them with my multitool (they should take a 5mm Allen key). Any ideas? Would be most grateful

 

[Milzy]

Break or cut the cage away and put a pair of mole grips on the bolt.

This & maybe some wd40 too.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

Carefully cut a slot across the top of the bolt so you can get a flat blade screwdriver on it. You'll trash the bottle cage in doing so but It'll protect the frame whilst you saw

 

[User6179]

If the top bolt can be undone then take that out first then mole grips on the knackered bolt and you should be able to turn the bolt with cage turning with it.

 

[lanternerouge]

Thanks guys, what are Mole Grips??

oh ok I googled it. Pliers....

 

[Kies]

Get a big pair of cutters and cut into the head , then turn. The head will be fubared,but who cares.

 

[02GF74]

as they say, cut a slot in the head - a demel cut off disc is ideal for the job and you should be able to get into the gap without trashing the cage.

also spray some penetrating oil - not wd40 but the proper stuff - to hopefully help ease the bolt out. The fact that the hex flats have been damaged indicates the bolt is in seized pretty tight so I suspect the riv-nut (the threaded insert in the tube) will come loose and all that will happen is the bolt spins round without undoing .... in which case it is either a trip to the bike shop or you'll need to drill the bolt out.

 

[jazzkat]

Try in this order
1) If you can get the other bolt out you might find that you can rotate the whole cage taking the bolt with it.
this is the only option that will save your cage!

2) You'll have to sacrifice the cage to get mole grips (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locking_pliers) onto the allen bolt.
If this doesn't do it then you are into damaging the bolt.

3)cut a slot into the head. Don't go all the way through the head straight away, the head of the bolt will provide some torsional strength.
If this doesn't do it then the bolt is seized, I'd use plus gas or some diesel and allow at least 24hrs to penetrate before trying again.
Trick - clamp your mole grips to the screw driver to provide the turning force while you use your body weight to hold the screwdriver in the slot - another pair of hands to hold the bike/screw/workpiece helps

4) as a last resort get a sharp drill bit, start with a very small bit. Try to drill as central as possible, use a punch to stop the bit wandering on start up. You may find that the heat from the drilling has loosened the screw and it will screw out straight away. If not go up a size of drill bit. Eventually you will reach a point where there is very little of the original bolt left.
If you are not sure what you are doing take it to someone who knows what they are doing!

This method of removing rusted up bolts has worked for me since I restored my first old classic motorbike in the 1980's

 

[400bhp]

Are you sure it's not a rubbish allen key on your multitool?

Can you try a different one of the same size and/or an aellen key with a rounded type head?

 

[Globalti]

The socket is clogged with filth, try cleaning it out properly and wiggling the allen key in to seat it properly before you do all that other stuff.

 

[fossyant]

The other option is a torx bit. Need a size or so bigger than the socket, knock it in, and it should grip enough to undo the bolt.

 

[lanternerouge]

All fixed now! Hacksaw/screwdriver did the trick. Thanks all

 

[RWright]

put a little grease on the cage screw threads.

 

[petefastfeet]

I take mine out and re grease every other year or so

 

[Deleted member 23692]

I don't grease mine - I use stainless bolts and don't over tighten them