trons

Hi. So I recently got this frame in pretty beat up shape with a steel quill stem in the fork. When I go to remove the stem, though, it doesn't budge, not one bit. Whack the bolt with a hammer a few times and still no luck, the quill at the bottom won't even dislodge. The old steel stem bolt (not allen type) that i hammered on upside down has also managed to get stuck in the whole thing, when i try to wiggle it out it's catching on something and can't free itself. So at this point the stem is expendable, but I really really need to get that thing out of there. I've read many a thread about getting an AL stem out of a steel fork but nothing about steel stems. It's sitting upside down with WD40 in the steerer as I type this. If anyone has any suggestions for this steel on steel action, please let me know. This is killing me (it is a Pogliaghi after all).

the beef

I'm thinking the stem might be bottomed out in the tube, sometimes the wedge can get stuck this way with smaller frames especially since the tube gets a little narrower at the bottom. Do you mean that the stem bolt won't come out? If this is this case then what I would do is unscrew it as much as possible, remove the front brake and front wheel, flip the bike upside down, put a steel rod or something on the underside of the stem, and whack it with a hammer to try and push the stem out from underneath. Talk to your bike shop first though, it's just a sort of general idea. You'd probably want to try something else before you resort to my idea

trons

It's the wedge and the stem that is stuck, the bolt comes out. I've actually taken the frame over to my LBS to no avail. I am yet to try whacking at it from the bottom, I'll do that tomorrow after this WD40 (hopefully) works its magic.

sabaka

I have the same problem with a 1984 Lejeune that I have hanging in the garage. I gave up trying, but have not tried to hammer it from the bottom as suggested. I may try that as well!

oilman_15106

Can you remove the threaded rod? And if so then the stem still will not come free? If the wacking it from the bottom as posted above does not work you might try the following: Find a small gear puller. Loosen the lock ring, assume it is threaded headset, and second threaded locking ring as much as possible. Pull the entire top of the headset with the gear puller. This should get the top part of the quill stem out. If the expansion wedge it stuck and can not be tapped out from the bottom. Thread in the long bolt with a washer so you can put it in a vise and tap the frame with a rubber mallet. The expansion wedge should come out.

On second thought, you have unthreaded the headset lock rings on the top and sometimes a lock type washer?

Deanster04

Get a good penetrating oil, turn the bike upside down and apply from the bottom side and allow some time to work...like a weekend. Then use a hammer on a piece of pine (2/4) placed on the stem. That has always worked for me.

cascade168

I like this method, but the tool I like even better is a dead blow mallet. If ever there was a job they are perfect for, this is it.

Kotts

Using a good penetrating oil is key. WD-40 is NOT a good penetrating oil (it's actually a rust preventer, WD-40 syands for "Water Dispersant, 40th formula").

Go to an auto parts place and get Kroil, Busty, or PB Blaster.

DougRuss

I second the Recommendation for PB Blaster !

Good Stuff !!!

trons

I am going to pick up some tomorrow, WD40 did not do ****.

powers2b

Liquid Wrench

Enjoy

trons

After 24 hours of liquid wrench soaking and 15 minutes of pounding on the bottom of the fork with an old stem bolt it came out. Looks like it was rusted pretty hard in there. The old bolt ended up stripping all the threads of the quill but whatever, its out. Thanks for the help everyone!

the beef

Awesome to hear! Glad to know that the under-fork pounding idea worked out.