Removing frozen alloy spoke nipples?

Dave said:

I've got a set of wheels with frozen alloy nipples that I'd like to
replace with brass nipples. Trouble is, the only way I've managed to
get any of the nipples off is with a pair of vice grips and a lot of
twisting. Is there some easier way to unfreeze them? Some kind of
solvent I can use to free the threads?

That's corrosion. Sounds like a respoke job, unfortunately. Good luck.

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Dave said:

I've got a set of wheels with frozen alloy nipples that I'd like to
replace with brass nipples. Trouble is, the only way I've managed to
get any of the nipples off is with a pair of vice grips and a lot of
twisting. Is there some easier way to unfreeze them? Some kind of
solvent I can use to free the threads?

Probably not. Al corrodes into Al2O3, a very hard substance,
and much larger than the original Al. Al2O3 is impervious
to chemical attack, except for stuff that will eat up
spokes, rim, rim tape, concrete, ...

--
Michael Press

Michael Press said:

In article
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,

Dave said:

I've got a set of wheels with frozen alloy nipples that I'd like to
replace with brass nipples. Trouble is, the only way I've managed to
get any of the nipples off is with a pair of vice grips and a lot of
twisting. Is there some easier way to unfreeze them? Some kind of
solvent I can use to free the threads?

Probably not. Al corrodes into Al2O3, a very hard substance,
and much larger than the original Al. Al2O3 is impervious
to chemical attack, except for stuff that will eat up
spokes, rim, rim tape, concrete, ...

--
Michael Press

try soaking the nipple in amonia

Dave said:

I've got a set of wheels with frozen alloy nipples that I'd like to
replace with brass nipples. Trouble is, the only way I've managed to
get any of the nipples off is with a pair of vice grips and a lot of
twisting. Is there some easier way to unfreeze them? Some kind of
solvent I can use to free the threads?

try heat - cigarette lighter. don't overheat the spoke wire.

Dave said:

I've got a set of wheels with frozen alloy nipples that I'd like to
replace with brass nipples. Trouble is, the only way I've managed to
get any of the nipples off is with a pair of vice grips and a lot of
twisting. Is there some easier way to unfreeze them? Some kind of
solvent I can use to free the threads?

They are either galled onto the spokes or corroded onto them. Either
way, it's as good as a weld. The only way out is to cut off the
spokes. You'll save yourself a lot of trouble biting the bullet and
start cutting.

JB

Dave said:

I've got a set of wheels with frozen alloy nipples that I'd like to
replace with brass nipples. Trouble is, the only way I've managed to
get any of the nipples off is with a pair of vice grips and a lot of
twisting. Is there some easier way to unfreeze them? Some kind of
solvent I can use to free the threads?

http://www.bikemania.biz/Attivo_Professional_Cable_Spoke_Cutter_p/attivo_abt-07.htm

Quoted message said:

Michael Press said:

In article
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,

Quoted message said:

Dave said:

I've got a set of wheels with frozen alloy nipples that I'd like to
replace with brass nipples. Trouble is, the only way I've managed to
get any of the nipples off is with a pair of vice grips and a lot of
twisting. Is there some easier way to unfreeze them? Some kind of
solvent I can use to free the threads?

Quoted message said:

Probably not. Al corrodes into Al2O3, a very hard substance,
and much larger than the original Al. Al2O3 is impervious
to chemical attack, except for stuff that will eat up
spokes, rim, rim tape, concrete, ...

Quoted message said:

--
Michael Press

try soaking the nipple in amonia

i second this and am surprised it's only been mentioned once....
ammonia works on aluminum oxide corrosion. the problem when i use it
seems to be that it doesn't really penetrate well or quickly. but
putting a drop on both ends of each nipple and then letting it sit for
a while would probably work.

Nate Knutson said:

Quoted message said:

On Jul 9, 6:18 pm, Michael Press <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

In article
<[email hidden]>
,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Dave <[email hidden]> wrote:
> I've got a set of wheels with frozen alloy nipples that I'd like to
> replace with brass nipples. Trouble is, the only way I've managed to
> get any of the nipples off is with a pair of vice grips and a lot of
> twisting. Is there some easier way to unfreeze them? Some kind of
> solvent I can use to free the threads?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Probably not. Al corrodes into Al2O3, a very hard substance,
and much larger than the original Al. Al2O3 is impervious
to chemical attack, except for stuff that will eat up
spokes, rim, rim tape, concrete, ...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

--
Michael Press

Quoted message said:

try soaking the nipple in amonia

i second this and am surprised it's only been mentioned once....
ammonia works on aluminum oxide corrosion. the problem when i use it
seems to be that it doesn't really penetrate well or quickly. but
putting a drop on both ends of each nipple and then letting it sit for
a while would probably work.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

it might be possible to pour a quantity into a bowl, dip the rim in
(minus tire and rim tape- duh....) and just roll the wheel around
flooding the spokes from each end; even just leaving one area dipped
in overnight just to be able to test if this method is applicable

In article
<[email hidden]>
,

Quoted message said:

Nate Knutson said:

Quoted message said:

On Jul 9, 6:18 pm, Michael Press <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

> In article
> <[email hidden]>
> ,

Quoted message said:

> Dave <[email hidden]> wrote:
> > I've got a set of wheels with frozen alloy nipples that I'd like to
> > replace with brass nipples. Trouble is, the only way I've managed to
> > get any of the nipples off is with a pair of vice grips and a lot of
> > twisting. Is there some easier way to unfreeze them? Some kind of
> > solvent I can use to free the threads?

Quoted message said:

> Probably not. Al corrodes into Al2O3, a very hard substance,
> and much larger than the original Al. Al2O3 is impervious
> to chemical attack, except for stuff that will eat up
> spokes, rim, rim tape, concrete, ...

Quoted message said:

> --
> Michael Press

Quoted message said:

try soaking the nipple in amonia

i second this and am surprised it's only been mentioned once....
ammonia works on aluminum oxide corrosion. the problem when i use it
seems to be that it doesn't really penetrate well or quickly. but
putting a drop on both ends of each nipple and then letting it sit for
a while would probably work.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

it might be possible to pour a quantity into a bowl, dip the rim in
(minus tire and rim tape- duh....) and just roll the wheel around
flooding the spokes from each end; even just leaving one area dipped
in overnight just to be able to test if this method is applicable

The ammonia will attack the Al rim.

--
Michael Press

In article
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,

Nate Knutson said:

Quoted message said:

Michael Press said:

In article
<[email hidden]>
,

Quoted message said:

Dave <[email hidden]> wrote:
> I've got a set of wheels with frozen alloy nipples that I'd like to
> replace with brass nipples. Trouble is, the only way I've managed to
> get any of the nipples off is with a pair of vice grips and a lot of
> twisting. Is there some easier way to unfreeze them? Some kind of
> solvent I can use to free the threads?

Quoted message said:

Probably not. Al corrodes into Al2O3, a very hard substance,
and much larger than the original Al. Al2O3 is impervious
to chemical attack, except for stuff that will eat up
spokes, rim, rim tape, concrete, ...

try soaking the nipple in amonia

That is ammonia.

Quoted message said:

i second this and am surprised it's only been mentioned once....
ammonia works on aluminum oxide corrosion. the problem when i use it
seems to be that it doesn't really penetrate well or quickly. but
putting a drop on both ends of each nipple and then letting it sit for
a while would probably work.

The ammonia will attack the rim, and at the spoke hole
the rim is particularly vulnerable. The ammonia does
_not_ attack the Al3O2. It attacks the Al nipple,
releasing the adhesion between the Al and the Al3O2.

--
Michael Press

Michael Press said:

In article
<[email hidden]>
,

Nate Knutson said:

Quoted message said:

On Jul 9, 6:18 pm, Michael Press <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> In article
> <[email hidden]>
> ,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Dave <[email hidden]> wrote:
> > I've got a set of wheels with frozen alloy nipples that I'd like to
> > replace with brass nipples. Trouble is, the only way I've managed to
> > get any of the nipples off is with a pair of vice grips and a lot of
> > twisting. Is there some easier way to unfreeze them? Some kind of
> > solvent I can use to free the threads?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Probably not. Al corrodes into Al2O3, a very hard substance,
> and much larger than the original Al. Al2O3 is impervious
> to chemical attack, except for stuff that will eat up
> spokes, rim, rim tape, concrete, ...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

try soaking the nipple in amonia

That is ammonia.

Quoted message said:

i second this and am surprised it's only been mentioned once....
ammonia works on aluminum oxide corrosion. the problem when i use it
seems to be that it doesn't really penetrate well or quickly. but
putting a drop on both ends of each nipple and then letting it sit for
a while would probably work.

The ammonia will attack the rim, and at the spoke hole
the rim is particularly vulnerable. The ammonia does
_not_ attack the Al3O2. It attacks the Al nipple,
releasing the adhesion between the Al and the Al3O2.

--
Michael Press- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

yup. brain freeze or something- I'm glad you caught it before someone
posted a heyyyyyyy.....

In article
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,

Quoted message said:

Michael Press said:

In article
<[email hidden]>
,

Nate Knutson said:

On Jul 9, 3:38 pm, [email hidden] wrote:
> On Jul 9, 6:18 pm, Michael Press <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

> > In article
> > <[email hidden]>
> > ,

Quoted message said:

> > Dave <[email hidden]> wrote:
> > > I've got a set of wheels with frozen alloy nipples that I'd like to
> > > replace with brass nipples. Trouble is, the only way I've managed to
> > > get any of the nipples off is with a pair of vice grips and a lot of
> > > twisting. Is there some easier way to unfreeze them? Some kind of
> > > solvent I can use to free the threads?

Quoted message said:

> > Probably not. Al corrodes into Al2O3, a very hard substance,
> > and much larger than the original Al. Al2O3 is impervious
> > to chemical attack, except for stuff that will eat up
> > spokes, rim, rim tape, concrete, ...

Quoted message said:

> try soaking the nipple in amonia

That is ammonia.

Quoted message said:

i second this and am surprised it's only been mentioned once....
ammonia works on aluminum oxide corrosion. the problem when i use it
seems to be that it doesn't really penetrate well or quickly. but
putting a drop on both ends of each nipple and then letting it sit for
a while would probably work.

The ammonia will attack the rim, and at the spoke hole
the rim is particularly vulnerable. The ammonia does
_not_ attack the Al3O2. It attacks the Al nipple,
releasing the adhesion between the Al and the Al3O2.

yup. brain freeze or something- I'm glad you caught it before someone
posted a heyyyyyyy.....

I do not understand what you mean to convey.
A chemical solution to frozen Al spoke nipples is not practicable.

--
Michael Press

Michael Press said:

In article
<[email hidden]>
,

Quoted message said:

Michael Press said:

In article
<[email hidden]>
,
Nate Knutson <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> On Jul 9, 3:38 pm, [email hidden] wrote:
> > On Jul 9, 6:18 pm, Michael Press <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > > In article
> > > <[email hidden]>
> > > ,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > > Dave <[email hidden]> wrote:
> > > > I've got a set of wheels with frozen alloy nipples that I'd like to
> > > > replace with brass nipples. Trouble is, the only way I've managed to
> > > > get any of the nipples off is with a pair of vice grips and a lot of
> > > > twisting. Is there some easier way to unfreeze them? Some kind of
> > > > solvent I can use to free the threads?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > > Probably not. Al corrodes into Al2O3, a very hard substance,
> > > and much larger than the original Al. Al2O3 is impervious
> > > to chemical attack, except for stuff that will eat up
> > > spokes, rim, rim tape, concrete, ...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > try soaking the nipple in amonia

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

That is ammonia.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> i second this and am surprised it's only been mentioned once....
> ammonia works on aluminum oxide corrosion. the problem when i use it
> seems to be that it doesn't really penetrate well or quickly. but
> putting a drop on both ends of each nipple and then letting it sit for
> a while would probably work.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The ammonia will attack the rim, and at the spoke hole
the rim is particularly vulnerable. The ammonia does
_not_ attack the Al3O2. It attacks the Al nipple,
releasing the adhesion between the Al and the Al3O2.

Quoted message said:

yup. brain freeze or something- I'm glad you caught it before someone
posted a heyyyyyyy.....

I do not understand what you mean to convey.
A chemical solution to frozen Al spoke nipples is not practicable.

--
Michael Press- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I failed to realize the rim would most likely be made of aluminum and
might be affected by my ammonia-bath suggestion. As for ammonia to
help free aluminum nipples galvanized to steel spokes- I would say it
is worth a try- as I have read (too late for myself) that it works
very well in the case of aluminum seatposts stuck in cromo frames.

In article
<[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

Michael Press said:

In article
<[email hidden]>
,

Quoted message said:

On Jul 10, 8:13 pm, Michael Press <[email hidden]> wrote:
> In article
> <[email hidden]>
> ,
> Nate Knutson <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

> > On Jul 9, 3:38 pm, [email hidden] wrote:
> > > On Jul 9, 6:18 pm, Michael Press <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

> > > > In article
> > > > <[email hidden]>
> > > > ,

Quoted message said:

> > > > Dave <[email hidden]> wrote:
> > > > > I've got a set of wheels with frozen alloy nipples that I'd like to
> > > > > replace with brass nipples. Trouble is, the only way I've managed to
> > > > > get any of the nipples off is with a pair of vice grips and a lot of
> > > > > twisting. Is there some easier way to unfreeze them? Some kind of
> > > > > solvent I can use to free the threads?

Quoted message said:

> > > > Probably not. Al corrodes into Al2O3, a very hard substance,
> > > > and much larger than the original Al. Al2O3 is impervious
> > > > to chemical attack, except for stuff that will eat up
> > > > spokes, rim, rim tape, concrete, ...

Quoted message said:

> > > try soaking the nipple in amonia

Quoted message said:

> That is ammonia.

Quoted message said:

> > i second this and am surprised it's only been mentioned once....
> > ammonia works on aluminum oxide corrosion. the problem when i use it
> > seems to be that it doesn't really penetrate well or quickly. but
> > putting a drop on both ends of each nipple and then letting it sit for
> > a while would probably work.

Quoted message said:

> The ammonia will attack the rim, and at the spoke hole
> the rim is particularly vulnerable. The ammonia does
> _not_ attack the Al3O2. It attacks the Al nipple,
> releasing the adhesion between the Al and the Al3O2.

Quoted message said:

yup. brain freeze or something- I'm glad you caught it before someone
posted a heyyyyyyy.....

I do not understand what you mean to convey.
A chemical solution to frozen Al spoke nipples is not practicable.

I failed to realize the rim would most likely be made of aluminum and
might be affected by my ammonia-bath suggestion. As for ammonia to
help free aluminum nipples galvanized to steel spokes- I would say it
is worth a try- as I have read (too late for myself) that it works
very well in the case of aluminum seatposts stuck in cromo frames.

Check. I understand.

--
Michael Press