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c/bicycle-mechanicsoliver242oliver2421mo agoTop Commenter

Update: I fixed a seized seatpost with a bag of ice and a hair dryer

Had a steel frame come in with an aluminum post totally stuck, wouldn't budge with normal penetrating oil. After three days of trying, I remembered reading about thermal contraction. I packed the seat tube with ice for about 20 minutes to shrink the steel, then hit the exposed post with a hair dryer to expand the aluminum. It creaked and twisted free on the first try with my wrench. Felt like a mad scientist, but it saved the frame from getting cut. Has anyone else tried something that weird that actually worked?
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fionarodriguez
fionarodriguez1mo agoMost Upvoted
Try liquid nitrogen next time for extra drama.
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lily574
lily5741mo ago
Reminds me of when @fionarodriguez froze a whole banana solid once lol.
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