SPD Pedal Overhaul

1

Getting Started

Park Tool makes the pedal wrench you will need to get the pedal off. Park Tool does not make the special socket tool you will need to adjust the bearing. Keep in mind that you do not need to take apart the SPD pedal shaft unit to clean and grease the unit. Here is a simple overhaul procedure for Shimano® pedal shaft units.

2

Bearing Adjustment

The bearings may be adjusted. Some models require a 7mm wrench for the locknut and a 10mm wrench for the adjusting cone. However, some models have the locknut recessed and require a tool from Shimano®, the TL- PD-63. This is a double socket tool that holds the adjusting cone and loosens the locknut. The inner socket of the PD-63 is double sided, one is a 7mm, the other is 8mm, and this is used to secure or loosen the locknut. The outer portion is also double sided, with a 10mm and 11mm option, and it is used to move the cone.

The threads of the adjusting cone and locknut are right hand-threaded on both left and right pedals. Hold shaft unit secure by holding pedal thread in soft jaws of a vise. Use the Park Tool AV-5 axle vise for this. If you don’t have a vise, re-mount pedal in crank to hold it secure.

To test bearing adjustment, grab cylinder section of shaft unit, not plastic section. Bearing adjustment only effects cylinder section. Play in plastic section will disappear when unit is remounted in pedal body. To adjust, hold cone with 10mm wrench CBW-1 and loosen counter-clockwise locknut with 7mm wrench.

To tighten bearing adjustment, turn cone clockwise a very small amount, and re-secure locknut. Check again for play, and repeat as necessary, making adjustments in small increments. After adjustment is finished, reinstall shaft unit into pedal body as described above.

3

Shimano Dura-Ace

The Dura-Ace pedal bearing system uses loose ball bearings on both ends of the axle shaft, as well as needle bearings. There is no shaft unit similar to the Ultegra. The pedal uses a lockring and an adjustable bearing cup, similar to adjustable type bottom brackets.

The left side pedal uses a bearing cup with right hand threading. The lockring and cup unthread counter-clockwise. The right side pedal uses a bearing cup with left-hand threading. The lockring and cup unthread clockwise.

If available, mount the pedal in the jaws of the AV-5 axle vise. Hold the lockring with a 20mm cone wrench and turn the pedal body to loosen.

Turn the left pedal body counter-clockwise while holding the lockring. Turn the right pedal body clockwise while holding the lockring. Unthread the cup after the lockring is loose. The cup uses a 17mm cone wrench, but it may be finger tight after the lockring is loose. Pull pedal axle shaft from pedal body.

After removing the pedal shaft, use care not to loose the ball bearings. The ball bearings do not have to be removed for cleaning. A C-clip holds bearings in place. Do not remove clip. Flush shaft and bearings with solvent. Blow dry axle parts. Do not attempt to remove parts from inside pedal body. Wipe out dirt or flush inside pedal with solvent if necessary. Again, dry all parts.

Grease inside of pedal body. Fill body with grease approximately 1/4 to 1/3 full. Install pedal shaft. Use care and double check the pedal with the left-threaded pedal crank thread goes with the left side pedal body. The left side crank pedal will have an internal bearing unit with right hand threading. When pedal shaft is installed into pedal body, grease will be forced through bearing cup and ball bearings. Excess grease will exit the pedal body. Wipe off any excess grease after installing bearing unit.

4

Dura-Ace Adjustment

The Dura-Ace pedals are adjusted similar to an adjustable type bottom bracket. The bearing cup controls the bearing pre-load. The cup is locked in place by the lockring. Gently run the cup into the pedal body until it stops against the balls and races. Tighten the lockring against the pedal body, and do not allow the cup to rotate. Check for play in axle. Loosen lockring and make small incremental adjustments to the bearing cup as necessary.

1. Remove both pedals from bike. For help, see Pedal Removal.
2. Engage Shimano® PD-40 tool onto shaft unit.

3. Use soft jaws in vise or pad jaws with rag to hold pedal.
4. Service and reassemble one pedal at a time. Left side pedal has an internal right hand-threaded bearing unit. Remove the bearing unit counter-clockwise. Right side pedal has a left hand-threaded internal bearing unit. Remove this bearing unit clockwise.

5. Clean and scrub both body and shaft in solvent. Blow dry with a compressor. Wipe off and allow to dry completely if you don’t have a compressor.
6. Fill bottom forth of shaft unit hole in body with grease. Shaft unit is a press fit inside body, so when you install unit, new grease is forced inside bearings of shaft unit.

7. Use Shimano® TL-PD-40 to thread shaft unit into pedal body. THERE IS NO TORQUE, THREAD UNTIL UNIT IS FULLY INSTALLED THEN STOP.
8. Use a drop of light lubricant on body springs and pivot points.
9. Check screws for tightness.

10. Grease axle threads and reinstall pedals. Secure each pedal to 360 inch-pounds.