TIL you can save a cross threaded pedal boss with a tap and a grease rag, saved a customer $180

Mary Price · 2026-10-01T16:25:03.859746+00:00

Had a guy bring in a 2016 Trek FX last Tuesday with the drive side pedal hanging on by two threads, stripped almost clean. I was about to quote him a new crank arm, then remembered an old timer at a shop in Fresno showing me this trick years back. Ran a 9/16 x 20 tap in slow with plenty of grease on the flutes so the shavings stick to it instead of falling in the frame, back it out every quarter turn to clear chips. Threads came back clean enough that the pedal torqued to spec and held on a test ride around the block. Cost him $20 instead of $180, and he brought me a six pack the next day. Anyone else got a rescue trick that beats selling parts, or am I the last guy still doing this?

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TIL you can save a cross threaded pedal boss with a tap and a grease rag, saved a customer $180 | Bicycle Mechanics - Thought Shares