NO, do not hammmer on this. You have a self extracting eccentric and a hammer is not ever needed. What you do is leave the "locknut" in, put the allen wrench throught the locknut and start loosening the wedge bolt. Continue to loosen the wedge bolt until the head of the wedge bolt hits against the locknut. Keep loosening the wedge bolt for several more turns and the wedge will be driven out the other side. It's a great design but many don't know how to use it. Even the bike shop where I bought my tandem didn't know how to use it.