craig.mila•23d agoMost Upvoted

Found out the hard way why you don't use WD-40 on a bottom bracket

So last week I was trying to free up a seized bottom bracket on an old Schwinn I'm fixing up. I grabbed the can of WD-40 and just drenched the thing, thinking it would work like a miracle. Turns out that stuff just dissolves all the grease inside and makes everything worse. Had to pull the whole crankset off and spend 2 hours cleaning out the gooey mess with degreaser and a rag. Anybody else learn this lesson the messy way or just me?

3 comments

3 Comments

price.gavin23d ago

I mean, "drenched the thing" is probably where you went wrong, not the WD-40 itself. I've hit a seized BB with a quick spray and let it sit for an hour, then hit it with a hammer and it came loose fine. Sounds like you just overdid it and turned the grease into sludge. It's not that serious, just don't drown the thing next time.

pat_fisher2423d ago

Drenched the thing" sounds like you gave it a bath instead of a drink. Bet the BB was more confused than loose.

-1

olivia39823d ago

drenched the thing" lol yeah that'll do it. I've made the same mistake, just a quick spray on the threads then give it a few taps is all you need. Any more than that and you're just making the mess you had to clean up.