Are my pedals on the way out?

[E65Ross]

Got Shimano spd-sl 105 pedals and have recently changed shoes but I've noticed that on "pulling" on the pedal stroke on the left side (the one I always use to clip out for at traffic lights etc) there is noticeable movement of the shoe on the pedal. The same for when I try to put power in sliding forwards (not that I usually do.... But just to test it).

Upon taking the shoes off the cleat and cleat bolts cannot be moved at all by hand and seem very stiff.

Thoughts?

I still have my old shoes so may try those tomorrow if I get the chance but with the cleat seeming to be so sturdy I was wondering whether it's the pedal itself.

If I do replace them.... Not sure whether to go for 105 again or ultegra. Any noticeable difference?

Thanks in advance

[TwistingMyMelon]

Is the cleat worn? or worn in places? That's usually the cause, I get through left cleats 2 or 3 x as quick as right ones, I clip out on left

How tight is the release bolt?

I've had similar, I give the pedal a spray with Teflon lube, then a wipe, I tighten the release bolt from max to min (clockwise to anti-clockwise or vice versa) a few times , then put back to correct place and that sorts it

Never had a Shimano SPD-sl pedal that needed to be replaced, think one of mine must be on 10k+ miles, the other about 5k!

Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Friday 11th September 12:39

[E65Ross]

The cleat is a brand new cleat on the shoes!

I'll check the tension on the screw tomorrow but I haven't changed it recently and the bike was fully serviced 3 months ago and they cleaned up the pedals, lubed the bearings etc back then.

Strange!

Cheers

[paulmon]

Is there any play in the pedal spindle, if there is no play and it spins without any resistance then the pedal is probably OK. The 105/Ultegra/Dura Ace pedal is a really simple product the footbed simply sits on the long spindle and has two bearing races. If the bearing preload becomes loose, the bearings can come out and that creates play.



As for the comparison between 105 and Ultegra. I think the only difference is Ultegra have a carbon body thus making them lighter. I think the internals are the same.

P

[E65Ross]

Problem solved I think. Seems the cleat bolts were only at around 4Nm. I've put the torque up to around 8Nm and it seems to have solved the problem.