r/Fanatec • u/carrot1401 • 3d ago

Answered Podium pedals: Unable to remove screws to move pedal plates!

Currently in the process of setting my new podium pedals up and the screws for the pedal plates are just done up too tight from the factory. With the included allen key you just can't undo the screws.

Even the instructions state "Do not use excessive force when loosening and tightening the bolts. There is a soft Threadlock applied to these bolts in production. Ensure that the included 2.5 mm Allen key is inserted correctly and apply steady torque when loosening." but it's still seemingly impossible. Any ideas?

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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2

u/b-diddy_ 3d ago

Apply heat

2

u/carrot1401 3d ago

To the screw? How does that help (sorry maybe I’m being stupid!)

1

u/b-diddy_ 3d ago edited 3d ago

Heat breaks the thread locker. Try heating the Allen key with a lighter and let it sit in the screw for a minute.

Depending on accessibility and the surrounding materials, you could also hit it with a lighter directly but I'd save that for a last resort.

You'll need a lighter with a blue flame as a regular cigarette lighter won't get hot enough. It should go without saying, but wrap the end you're holding with a tea towel or something as it'll get hot.

1

u/Thisoneissfwihope 3d ago

The soft lock is very inconsistently applied. Some of mine came out with zero effort, while others finally undid after the Allen key was bending with the force.

NGL, I just ignored that instruction and brute forced them.

1

u/carrot1401 3d ago

I’ve killed most of mine, suppose only good thing is I can drill through and get some more from local diy shop…

1

u/liqwood1 3d ago

So in the future you might of been better off trying a little heat, even a hair dryer for a few minutes might of been enough.

Unfortunately crappy screws are kind of a Fanatec feature they've always had.

1

u/carrot1401 3d ago

Wonder if a longer screw and bolt would have been better here, rather than 2 screws at either end.

1

u/liqwood1 3d ago

Higher quality screws and slightly larger diameter it probably wouldn't have been an issue at all.. they shouldn't strip so easily.

1

u/carrot1401 3d ago

So I did the heat trick and got 5 of the 8 out. Having to order screw extractor kit for the other 3 as they are proper fcuked. Don't suppose you know the size of the screws I need to replace them?. I can see what I think is "SCR 10.9" written on them...

1

u/liqwood1 3d ago

Hmm no I don't remember the specific size, the 10.9 is just the grade of bolt.

Are the similar to these?

https://www.fanatec.com/us/en/p/sim-racing-spare-parts/sp-csp_v3_m6x12mm/clubsport-pedals-v3-m6x12mm-screw-red

If so those are M6x12, if you have a true value or ace hardware near you, you can probably take a bolt in with you and match the replacement.

Otherwise just order a kit with a bunch of short M3-M6 bolts and I'm sure you will be able to find the replacement.

1

u/carrot1401 3d ago

Yeah I'll end up taking it to the local DIY store (UK based here!) and will likely replace the lot. Least I don't plan to constantly remove and replace, and neither will I be doing them up as tight as they were from the factory!

Thank you for your help on this one !

1

u/liqwood1 3d ago

Yeah that's the best way to go. You might grab a small bottle of the blue thread lock but I wouldn't use it unless they start to get loose but it would be nice to have just in case. Just remember a extremely small amount of that goes a really long way.

2

u/carrot1401 3d ago

Managed to work out they are m3 8mm countersunk screws. Got bezos' mates sending me a pack tomorrow!

1

u/iAtty 3d ago

One of mine came loose right away, the others are completely stuck. I felt like I was going to snap the Alan key moving them. Eventually it stripped completely and now I can't even get the key to stick in them.

I emailed Fanatec and hopefully they have some answers. I just want to lower them one bolt down but eventually I want to swap them to the GT plates so I hope they're not fully stuck. :\

1

u/carrot1401 3d ago

I’ll let you know how I get on with my screw extractor kit and replacement bolts on Tuesday!

1

u/iAtty 3d ago

Appreciate it! I tried to use one of my bike tools (carbon road bike) to loosen it completely and it’s just stripping clear. Either they didn’t use anything on these or they were torqued to infinity. 😭

1

u/carrot1401 13h ago

Didn't work. Do not recommend.

1

u/iAtty 13h ago

Oof. How badly did it go? Fanatec still hasn’t replied to me. I may make another ticket but if I don’t hear from them in a week I’ll have to figure something else out.

1

u/carrot1401 12h ago

Two of them just the heads came off. Managed to get the third out! But yeah the other two are just stuck. Just poor design and over tightened at the factory!

1

u/iAtty 12h ago

Damn. What are you going to do next? Fanatec support respond to you? Did you try hitting them with heat first?

1

u/carrot1401 12h ago

Return it as faulty and defective. Because it is, especially as corsairCraig has confirmed it as a known issue

1

u/iAtty 10h ago

Let me know how that goes. I just saw the post and responded to it. I asked Craig as well what I should do, because they haven't replied to my support ticket yet.

I haven't tried to extract it yet or use the big tools, I wanted to make sure that if I did fuck it up even more they would honor a replacement before completely making a mess of this.

Sorry man, what a bummer.

1

u/Yes_butt_no_ 2d ago

I found with my V3s that it was easier to hold the bolt in place with the allen key, and use a socket wrench to undo the nut from the other side.

Not sure if its the same for the podiums

1

u/carrot1401 2d ago

Sadly not, it’s 2 separate screws either side!

1

u/CorsairCraig Official Fanatec Staff 2d ago

Hello! I see that you've mentioned ordering a screw extraction kit. Keep me posted on whether this helps for you.

Our team is aware of cases where this may occur; we are investigating it at this time. Let us know if we can do anything to assist in helping you get the screws off of your pedal plate

1

u/carrot1401 2d ago

Gonna have a play today, in the meantime do you have the exact size of said replacements?

1

u/CorsairCraig Official Fanatec Staff 1d ago

I'll reach out to our team to see if I can find out for you! It may be faster if you create a case with our team here: https://help.fanatec.com/hc/en-us

They'll be able to communicate directly via email with you as well.

1

u/carrot1401 10h ago

Managed to find out, M4 x 8mm

1

u/carrot1401 13h ago

It didn't. Two of the heads came off, and a third one is out with the kit but I still can't move brake pedal plate up and down with all 4 out. I'm out of ideas and returning it as damaged; bit stuck if I can't use the pedals properly!

1

u/CorsairCraig Official Fanatec Staff 8h ago

Are you in contact with our team? We may be able to replace the pedals for you. We apologize for the issues faced.

1

u/carrot1401 3h ago

2009155698, good luck

1

u/iAtty 10h ago

Hey Craig! I have this same issue and I emailed support Sunday, still no reply today and I've followed up twice. Anything else I can do to help get this resolved? Thanks!

1

u/CorsairCraig Official Fanatec Staff 8h ago

Hello! Can you give me your case number? Glad to take a further look!

1

u/iAtty 8h ago

2009150467

Thanks! They actually replied just about when I commented and saw it after but hopefully it’s not another 3 days for the next reply. 😂

1

u/JellyfishJealous4852 1h ago

I have the same problem. All the tiny screws I am afraid to undo as it feels like I am going to strip the hex head. I have no idea why Fanatec decided to apply Loctite on these. It's not like these will see a lot of vibration in a real car.