Bicycle Seatpost
Is WD-40 a good penetrating oil?
I just bought an expensive can of penetrating oil to free up a rusted seatpost on my bicycle. Today, I found that WD-40 (which I already have), is also a penetrative oil. Did I waste my money, or will the more obviously-named can of Penetrating Oil work better?
“Penetrating” oils and liquids aren’t a very specificially defined category….some are really good and some are just labeled like that and are only a light petrol product with perhaps a little lube added in (like WD-40). The best ones have zero oil in them and are made of chemical esthers and ketones that will really do the job well most of the time.
If you bought a good product, then you didn’t waste your money. That doesn’t mean it will work for what you want, however. With relatively tight fits like you find in seatpost/tube mating, if the items have actually rusted, there’s almost no way a penetrant will help. You can try, but be careful with the frame and be prepared to resort to some destructive techniques to remove the old post.
You can try to gently spread apart the seat tube clamp bolt eye thingys with a pair of external snap ring pliers (gently…..just a little pressure), and then squirt the oil in. Let it sit for several hours, tap on the post and frame tube with a rubber hammer, then use a large wrench or pliers to try and twist the seatpost free.
If that doesn’t help, you might actually try to pound it further into the seat tube…sometimes that will break the bond and then you can work at pulling/twisting it out normally. You can clamp the seatpost in a bench vise and twist the frame for leverage, too.
If THAT doesn’t work, remove the cranks and bottom bracket and drip some penetrant into the seat tube with the bike upside down….then try again.
Failing there, cut off the top of the seatpost and use a small torch to heat the inside of the seatpost, then try again to remove it. Tapping the post into the frame while it’s hot may work.
Sometimes you just have to cut them out. Some shops have a special hacksaw contraption that is a pain in the butt to use, but it can reach down in there and saw a slot in the post (or several slots), then everything can be knocked free…hopefully.
Just remember to be careful with the frame tubing. Even cheap steel frames are relatively thin and fragile when it comes to heavy work. And if the post is that rusted, chances are good that the inside of the frame may be, too…so work carefully.
Sorry, really long answer….but good luck with it. Those are a real hassle to remove sometimes! 
)
Topeak DynaPack Bicycle Seat Post Mount Bag with Fixer
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Pinhead Bicycle Locking Skewer Set, 4 Pack $66.64 Pinhead offers the ideal solution to bicycle wheel theft.4-pack includes 100mm front and 135mm rear locking skewers, plus seatpost and stem locks.Each lock is operated via a unique multi combination keyEach lock is operated via a unique multi combination keyEach lock is operated via a unique multi combination key2-Pack includes front and rear wheel locking skewers3-Pack includes a front and rear w… |
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Rose Donut Cushion, Large, 18 Diameter – Blue $18.35 Rose Donut Cushion, Large, 18 feet Diameter is designed to allow patients with pain in the coccyx area to sit comfortably.It is excellent for those with painful hemorrhoids or a broken coccyx. The center hole is 7 by 3 inch ans it has navy blue cover also made from hard foam…. |
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BodySport Ring Cushion … |
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Alaffia – Neem & Shea Butter Skin Recovery Face Cream, 2.3 oz cream $15.26 Alaffia recommends this powerful moisturizing cream for skin needing intensive treatment. Traditionally extracted neem oil and unrefined shea butter work together in a maximum healing and hydrating formula. Neem leaf extracts and kpangnan butter add toning and antioxidant properties in this soothing cream that restores your skin’s natural luminosity. For oily, combination, dry and acne prone skin…. |
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Pace Logo Sport Cycling Cap Lightweight cotton twill. 3-Panel dome with flip-up visor. KoolFit elastic sweatband. Made in the USA…. |
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Pace Logo Traditional Cycling Cap Lightweight cotton twill. 4-Panel dome with flip-up visor. KoolFit elastic sweatband. Made in the USA…. |
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