[CR]bent dropout screws

(Example: Bike Shops:R.E.W. Reynolds)

Date: Fri, 07 Jul 2006 22:33:56 -0700
From: "Jay Sexton" <jvs@sonic.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
References: <MONKEYFOODhxvzSoBJH000041cf@monkeyfood.nt.phred.org>
In-Reply-To:
Subject: [CR]bent dropout screws

Hi Eric,

I have a couple of suggestions.

Depending on how bad the screws are bent, take a plastic headed mallet and gently tap the screws until they straighten out. Don't use pliers. If the screws are loose in the d.o. turn the screw, tap, turn, tap until the screw looks straight, then back out. I have saved many a adjuster screw using this method.

If you don't want to save the screws, or don't need to, use a fine toothed hack saw blade or end nippers to cut or saw the screw off. Close, but not totally flush with the d.o. Then file the end of the screw to get rid of any burr or deformity, otherwise as you unscrew it from the d.o. it could damage the thread, which you want to avoid.

Take your time, use some oil on the threads, and good luck!

Jay Sexton Sebastopol, CA

Help! I've got a frame (an otherwise very nice Sachs that I want to ride tomorrow) that has both dropout adjuster screws bent fairly severely. What is the best way to remove them without damaging the threaded holes that they reside in? Both are bent sufficently so that they cannot be straightened enough to still unscrew in their normal manner.
>
> I could have sworn this was discussed recently but my various searches through the archives yielded nothing.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Eric Elman
> Somers, CT USA