noahjz

Hi, I know there are a ton of posts about stuck stems, but i haven't seen one where the cone has gone missing... i assume it is just very stuck in the stem, as it is no longer attached to the bolt. when i put the bolt into the stem and try to screw it in it sinks about half an inch into the stem (beneath the level of the stem itself) and then will turn in either direction freely, encountering no resistance from the cone. this seems like a pretty bad sign... has the cone somehow sunk below the point where the bolt can screw into it? i have tried banging the bolt to unstick the cone, but since i don't think the bolt is even touching the cone it doesn't seem to be working.

this is not a stem where it has been stuck for a while, it is a replacement stem that i was trying to install for the first time, and yes i greased it pretty heavily. so i don't think it's rusted or anything. if i can ever get it out i will probably dump that stem and get one with a regular wedge since it seems the cones are more prone to sticking. Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions...

operator

It probably just dropped down the fork steerer, you can probably punch it through from the underside of the bike with the front wheel removed.

ultraman6970

Just as an idea, can u get something like an extra long pin bolt or thin wood stick in the stem hole thing? at least u'll know if the stem cone stuff is in there, probably is not even in place u know. Can u see the cone from below using a light? Probably that thing is not even there.

thanks