Originally Posted by
goldfinch
Thanks!
Actually, I am the wife and it was my husband that unthreaded the stem wedge bolt.
Figuring the sequence of events, that makes more sense.
Anyway, the bottom of the steerer has a thicker wall for strength, so the inside tapers to a smaller ID at the bottom. Wedges can get trapped pretty well there, so if it doesn't fall out of the bike is flipped over (your spouse can handle that), you can try picking it up with the stem bolt.
For future reference, the stem will tighten when you tighten the stem bolt. But to loosen the stem you back off the bolt 1/8" or so, then tap it down with a hammer to free the wedge while leaving it attached at the bottom of the bolt.