Bicycle Mechanics - Darn Stem Froze in the Steerer Tube...

Well, this is a new one on me. Probably not to a mechanic . I assume the aluminum part of the quill has welded itself to the steerer as the old headset wasn't sealed. So now what? Will the amonia trick that is said to work on seat posts work here? Do I lop off the stem and star drilling. I was thinking of turning it upside down and taking a rod through the fork and hammering out the quill that way... but not if its going to destroy the steerer tube. Anyone have a trick for this one?

Have you tried loosening the bolt yet?

Loosen the top bolt on the stem so that it sticks up a little from its recessed position. Then strike the bolt with a hammer to break the wedge free inside the steerer tube. After that just do a lot of twisting and pulling on the handlebars to free the stem.

-Ryan

Originally posted by D*Alex
Have you tried loosening the bolt yet?

Lol, yes... I loosened the bolt. As a former tech support guy I can appreciate your sense to ask the most basic question first :D

Originally posted by BikerRyan
Loosen the top bolt on the stem so that it sticks up a little from its recessed position. Then strike the bolt with a hammer to break the wedge free inside the steerer tube. After that just do a lot of twisting and pulling on the handlebars to free the stem.

-Ryan

ahh... solid thwacking with the hammer did the trick. hows it go... when the only tool you have is a hammer everything looks like a nail?

Originally posted by RareVos
ahh... solid thwacking with the hammer did the trick.

The technical name for that tool is a BFH. :D

Now, when you reintall the stem, put grease on the quill and a thin layer of grease in the stem to prevent this from happening again.