Seat post stuck in frame help!!!?

Question

As a wise mechanic once said "WD40", "more WD40", "Blowtorch should do it" and finaly "i'll just clamp it in that and give the frame a good twist" about a minuite later the top part of the seat post shears off (damm aluminium) and the rest is left down inside the seat tube. Any ideas? (Frame is Steal and prost is aluminium)

Answer 1

This is going to be a mess, but it works:

1) Set up a hotplate OUTSIDE. Using an old soup can or something get some antifreeze (yes, the stuff for cars) and get it to the boiling point... antifreeze doesn't boil in a car partly because it is under pressure in the system.
2) Cut off the old seatpost so it is flush with the frame.
3) Using great care, innundate the seatpost and frame area with the hot solution.
4) IMMEDIATELY position another seatpost (or a pipe) over the old one and hit HARD with a hammer. The stuck post should come free within seconds and drop into the frame.

Notes... the post you hammer on must be the same size as the seatpost and be able to fit into the seat tube of the frame. The antifreeze solution is HIGHLY toxic and you MUST not breathe the fumes. You will need to repaint the frame. Make sure to remove the old seatpin as soon as possible... you could just leave it in there if you can't get it out easily. this method is HOT and dangerous, use proper protection.

Answer 2

Remove everything from the frame. Clamp it in a workstand upside-down and put a pan under the seat tube. Then spray WD-40 or some other penetrating oil into the seat tube through the bottom bracket or water bottle mount hole. Allow the oil to drip out into the pan, spray more in every so often, and let sit OVERNIGHT (at least).

In the morning, try vice grips on the seatpost and give it a twist. If that's not working, try a dead-blow hammer to knock the post farther into the frame a little (this is only to break the rust free, not make the post disappear). keep trying the spray/twist/hammer routine for a day or two, off and on, and try not to get frustrated. Remember, this is your bike's heart & soul.

Much more than this, and you need to start considering a new frame...BUT-

If that STILL won't get it unstuck, the LAST RESORT is to run a hacksaw blade INSIDE the seatpost, lengthwise down the seat tube, and try to get a "wedge" of the post free. This takes an unholy amount of time, and you must be EXTREMELY careful to stop cutting before you touch the frame.

Once you get the wedge out, then spray more oil on, let it soak, and simply crush the remaining seatpost free from the frame. If you are this comitted to the frame, remember that this is very dangerous to it and TAKE YOUR TIME. Rushing through the last Resort will simply trash your frame anyway, so take care.

Answer 3

Dont heat it, you will only screw up the paint on the frame. Cut the remains of your post off about a quarter inch above the frame and take a hacksaw blade and cut down inside the post creating a slot. Be gentle as you dont want to go in to the frame. Give it a tap with a mallet or soft faced hammer and it should fall out.

Answer 4

NEVER EVER CUT THE SEATPOST OFF AT THE FRAME!!!

The trick to this is to use a catalyst - PB Blaster is found at Pep-Boys automotive and NAPA. Spray this around the frame as the seatpost goes in.

http://www.pbblaster.com/

Let this sit for at least two hours.

Use the seatpost head and clamp that in a heavy duty BENCH VISE and slowly with NO POPPING OR BOUNCING, ATTEMPT TO TURN THE FRAME WHILE STRIKING AROUND THE SEATPOST AND TOP OF THE SEAT-TUBE.

This has been done SEVERAL times and is usually resolved in 10~20 minutes!

Answer 5

We had this problem at our shop. I assume you probably don't have a "reaming tool", if all else fails, and you can get your hands on one, definitely cut it and use a reaming tool to remove the material stuck inside the frame. This will avoid damaging the frame and successfully remove what is left of the seatpost. Be careful to only remove the aluminum material, and not start whittling away at the seat tube of your frame.

Answer 6

Hello,
At the shop we have had serious issues with the seat tubes of classic Ti frames. Several customers have come in (over the years) with alum seat posts rusted into seat tubes, and though it tends to trash the posts, we have had best luck with penetrating fluid (designed for use on auto engine bolts) and a pipe wrench. Drench the top of seat tube/base of s-post with fluid and clamp wrench on base of post and work it back and forth. I can't promise that this will work for your situation, but I thought that you may want another suggestion.

Answer 7

You should be able to cut a slot in the post with a hacksaw blade.You don't need to go all the way through. Carefully lever either side of the slot with a screwdriver (you may need to whack it to get it started) and it will tear.

Answer 8

Just buy a new frame

Answer 9

Lot's of lube..and a large easy-out.