Bicycle Mechanics - How to adjust quill stem height? seems stuck

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aem0512
07-30-11, 03:27 PM
Hello everyone, I'm trying to adjust the height of my quill stem on my vintage road bike, but it seems to be stuck. I've loosened the bolt on top as Sheldon's guide suggests, won't budge. I also read that if it seems stuck you should tap the top of the quill stem with a mallet, but with my old gear shifters wedged in between I feel like it's not going anywhere if I tap the stem.

Anybody have suggestions?212698

FBinNY
07-30-11, 03:38 PM
The top bolt draws up a wedge to expand the stem in the fork's steerer tube. (See photo here) (http://sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html) Loosening the bolt won't do anything until you tap the bolt to drive the wedge down, thereby freeing the stem.

As a general rule, you should bring the bolt up about 3-6 millimeters, (1/8-1/4") before tapping it to free the wedge. Do not remove the bolt. You want to keep the assembly together, otherwise the next step will to go fishing for a wedge that has fallen into the fork.
aem0512
07-30-11, 04:18 PM
Thanks again for your help :) got it loose