Giorgio Moroder

Hey,

I just picked up a new bike that unfortunately has a stripped stem bolt.. I tried knocking a larger size imperial key into the bolt to get it out with no luck . So now it looks like I need to find an expert who can reverse tap it our use a dremel to make a slot for a flathead.

Any shop recommendations within the GTA (Downtown would be best) with this type of experience would be greatly appreciated!

Wilfred Laurier

Is it just a quill stem with a long 6mm allen bolt running through the stem to a wedge or expander?,

You could just drill out the head of the bolt until the whole thing falls apart. Then hold it upside down and use a coathanger or long screwdriver to get the parts out of the steerer tube. You are going to have to find at least a replacement bolt anyways so there should be no problem with destructive removal.

I don't live in Toronto but I expect there would be many shops who could do this for you. You could probably get an auto shop or anyone with a drill to do it for $10.

Giorgio Moroder

Thanks! I've been doing research and what you mentioned is definitely an option. My question is; If i drill out the head and the expander is in fact stuck..won't I be screwed?

Wilfred Laurier

I have only seen a few occaisions in my life where a stem was completely stuck. However, if you remove the bolt and the stem won't budge, even after giving the top of the bolt a few good whacks with a hammer, then you can likely ride the bike without the bolt.

TAlso, the few times I have seen a seized stem, it was the quill of the stem, not the expander, that was stuck.

The trick is to use massive brute force and multiple blows with the hammer from the underside - either directly to the underside of the neck of the stem, or to the underside of the expander with a bar or big screwdriver.