Removing worn SPD cleats

[Maz]

I bought some new SPD pedals and it came with cleats. I thought I'd try and put the new cleats on my shoes but the Allen bolt heads on the old cleats were badly worn and wouldn't unscrew. Is there another way to remove the cleats? Thanks

 

[PeteXXX]

Sometimes the holes in the cleat bolts are full of caked up gunk. Try picking it out with a nail or small screwdriver and see if the Allen key will then insert fully.
Or have the holes been totally mullahed?

 

[cyberknight]

If you can get enough gunk out then wacking in a torx head spanner can sometimes get enough purchase to get it out.

If its really stuck then you can get screw extractors but i havent ever used them so cant comment on their effectiveness

 

[simon.r]

If all else fails you can drill them out. Use a small drill bit (3mm ish) and carefully drill through the centre of the bolt. Best done with a hand drill IMO.

 

[Biker Joe]

A good excuse to buy new shoes perhaps?

 

[Biker Joe]

If you have access to a rotary drill or know someone who has one (Dremal or something similar) it might be possible to cut a slot in the old bolts and use a flat bladed screwdriver to undo them.

 

[sight-pin]

Failing all the suggested you could try placing a centre dot punch on the outer circumference of the screw and tap in an anticlockwise direction with a small hammer whilst holding the shoe in between your knees.

 

[Tim Hall]

I'd try, in ascending order:

1. Picking the gunk out

2. Whacking a torx driver in there.

3. Drilling the bolt heads off. Once the head is off, the cleat should just fall off. Grip the stub of rhe bolt with pliers or Mole grips and it should come out easily.

 

[gaijintendo]

You can also try some mineral penetrating oil or WD-40, it won't hurt, but it may smell.

Had the inverse issue, I was trying to rescue the cleats from a pair of wrecked shoes. Gave it a dose, some time, removed the gunk, and was able to budge the things.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Good excuse for new shoes.

 

[slowmotion]

Use water to loosen the mud etc. then pick out the gunk and stone fragments with a pointy widget.

A 2mm flat-bladed electricians' screwdriver is the ideal tool.

 

[gaijintendo]

You can also try some mineral penetrating oil or WD-40, it won't hurt, but it may smell.

Had the inverse issue, I was trying to rescue the cleats from a pair of wrecked shoes. Gave it a dose, some time, removed the gunk, and was able to budge the things.

Use water to loosen the mud etc. then pick out the gunk and stone fragments with a pointy widget.

Oh yeah, I forgot I'd stuck mine in the washing machine, then dried them on a radiator...

But again, the shoes were dead.

 

[gbb]

Failing all the suggested you could try placing a centre dot punch on the outer circumference of the screw and tap in an anticlockwise direction with a small hammer whilst holding the shoe in between your knees.

This was a favourite of mine on (usually) c/sunk screws. The contact surface area between bolt and meal is large but the hex is smaller than a normal bolt so they can be prone to seizing...pretty much like cleat bolts. You'l need to hold the shoe as steady and tight as possible though or the impact gets lost in the movement.

 

[steveindenmark]

Change them earlier. You Scrooge

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Put grease on the threads of the new cleats when you attach them.