I was talking about solid ears, which are basically impossible to bend.. Opening up bent ears is best done by prying as you suggest.
Joe Bender-Zanoni
Great Notch, NJ
<classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Monday, November 03, 2003 9:25 PM Subject: Re: [CR]A tip: Seatpost slides down
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joe Bender-Zanoni" <joebz@optonline.net>
> >
> > The trick to opening up the slot is to use TWO hacksaw blades in the
> hacksaw
> > frame, side by side. Works like a charm.
>
> Joe/All,
>
> I'd be cautious using this technique. If the binder ears have bent inward
> enough to touch, the lack of seatpost clamping force is only 1/2 of the
> problem, which relieving the binder ears does solve. The other problem is
> that the hole in each ear is no longer parallel and co-axial. This causes
> the binder bolt to bend as it is tightened, and can cause failures just
like
> non-parallel rear drops can cause hub axle breakages. I have preferred to
> try to set them back in place by using a stout round-shaft screwdriver (or
> similar) for leverage, or by prying outward from the slot side with a
stout
> flat-blade screwdriver. These techniques have downsides, too, though. The
> binder bolt hole or slot edge can get distorted from localized pressure. I
> always try to use the largest tool possible in each case.
>
> Jon Schaer
> Columbus, OH