Found a pair I hadn’e used for a few years, and the cleat screws were rusted in place, Thought I might need an impact driver to get them out. So, the next obvious question is: is there a way to replace those inserts, and in the long run, is it worth it.
I realize it depends on the style as I’ve seen large plates with the three holes, also smaller plates, metal tracks with sliding nuts, and various kinds of inserts. I can’t tell how these are fitted, but they are three fixed inserts poking through the holes in the sole.
The screws were so rusted I think the screws rusted to the adjusting plates.
Ideally, the screws were greased before being installed, so they shouldn’t be rusted to the nut plates. If taking them out destroys the nut plates, you might be able to find replacement nut plates that will fit your shoes. You can usually access them by removing the insole. I some shoes, there will another layer with a partially cut door that will allow access to the nut plates. When installing new nut plates/screws, grease the threads and tighten to the specified torque, usually 5Nm.
It’s hard to remember back then, but I usually grease everything that stands still.
Oh, and they are single unmovable inserts. Some, in the past, had ears that came through from the inside and they could be seen, so I’m wondering if there might be two layers in the sole. I looked in under the insole and it looks like it might come up, so I’ll try to drive one in from the bottom and see if the thing comes out. I guess I’ll find what I find. I don’t think it’s a big plate, but it could be… Didn’t really want to wreck them, or waste time if replacing them was a waste of time. To the OR…
Yeah. If you can get the cleats off, you might be able to tell something about the nut plate, like if it moves slightly and if all three holes move together as one. The hard sole under the insole is probably glued down very well. Some shoes do have a perforated or slit section over the nut plate to allow access. If not, it becomes more complicated and iffy.
And the did appear to have a flap that could be opened to swap out the inserts, but it looked far more like a plate, and the inside of the bottom (sole?) looked severely glued down, so they went out with the trash. Some of the buckle pins were rusted as well, so thought the better of it, didn’t want to really put that amount of time into it. I’ve run into so much proprietary with shows and electrical stuff that sometimes it’s just better to admit defeet (hah) and walk away.
Found my Bontrager XXX in fire engine read though. Nice shoes… First ones I’ve ever bought that came with a carry bag.
