Removing a stuck reverb

[ishaw]

So, the Whyte e-120 is fighting me, but I won't give in.

It has an externally routed and working reverb fitted, but I can't remove it.

Any ideas on how I can persuade it out?

I'm currently dropping some penetrant around the seat tube/post join in the hope that some will seep through and help, but other than that I'm a bit stumped.

Using the head to turn the post may cause issues with the post. I had thought I could use the locking collar to twist the post but that's not working (plus I don't have a spanner that size so resorting to a vice which isn't ideal).

Any ideas?

 

[bikeworkshop]

Either its stuck because somethings distorted, or its stuck because oxidation has caused expansion.

you might be able to depress the post, then give it a firm tap downward to break it free.
Is use a rubber mallet and possibly fit an old saddle.

If you can move it a little, it should come out after.

Is there any sign of oxidisation in the frame? The post will be well finished so unlikely to corrode.

@PeterPerfect suggested dripping ammonia down the joint to dissolve oxidised alloy.

Some serious precautions may be necessary.

 

[ishaw]

Thanks. The frame is carbon but the seat post section is alloy. It's not got a cut in it like most seat tubes have.

 

[clubby]

Does the frame have the crap internal wedge that Whyte used? If so have taken the bolt all the way out and used the hole to get some penetrating fluid in further down the seat tube? The wedges are alloy and they could also have corroded and be stuck to the post.

 

[bikeworkshop]

If its a carbon frame with a reverb, then most likely the carbon has swelled a little rather than any oxidation.
Maybe someone has some kind of custom reverb slide hammer

 

[ishaw]

It has this weirdness.

 

[bikeworkshop]

So they decided the wheel did need redesigning after all!

Looks like some ally corrosion though.

Doesn't the seatpost guy claim to be able to remove anything?

Did he promise to save either the frame, the post or both?

 

[ishaw]

Yes, all seems rather over engineered to clamp a post when a slotted tube just works.

I'll persevere, the reverb is working so would be nice to save, though on closer inspection someone may have had a go at removing before as there are a couple of nicks in the shaft up by the seat clamp.

I may have broken a rib today (unrelated to it removal) so can't put a lot of force into anything right now.

I'd hope the seat post man would be able to save a frame, there can't be too many posts worth more than a frame, pretty sure I could save the post and sacrifice the frame, but I'm looking to save the frame, post too if possible but not essential.

 

[Bobmac892]

A couple of ideas, take the bottom bracket out and feed the penetrant in through the seat tube while the bike is upside down.
Second, get a nylon strap style oil filter removal tool which should be able the grip and twist the post without marking it.

Whatever you do good luck.

 

[ishaw]

Thanks, like the idea of the strap, I'll see if I can find one. Annoyingly the reverb does have a fitting that takes a spanner, but it's not budging using that as a means to try and twist it free.