TIL a trick for getting a seized seatpost to budge

Had a steel frame with an aluminum post that was totally stuck, a common issue in our coastal town. I tried the usual penetrant and a long wrench, but it wouldn't move. A retired mechanic told me to pour boiling water over the seat tube to expand the frame, then apply ice to the post itself. After three cycles, it twisted free with normal force. What's your go-to method for a really stubborn one?

2 comments

2 Comments

richard_shah1d ago

Had a carbon post stuck in an alloy frame last year. Ended up clamping the post in a big bench vise and using the whole frame as a lever, turning it slowly with a ton of penetrating oil. It creaked like crazy but finally came free without damaging anything.

christopher_west11d ago

Wait, did you clamp the carbon post itself in the vise? That's a risky move because carbon can crush easily. I've always heard you should clamp the alloy frame in the vise and use the post as the lever, @richard_shah. Glad it worked out for you without any cracks, but that method makes me nervous for the post. Using the frame as the lever puts all that twisting force right on the thin seat tube too.