Hi,

It seems I have another problem and obtaining this bike has become an adventure on bicycle mechanics.

I am not sure if I am removing the quill stem properly, which initially I was definitely not. I started off by removing the quill stem bolt completely but realized that this may have caused the wedge/expander bolt to come loose. I shook the bike around and there doesn't seem to be any rattling noises so I don't think I have lost the bolt in the steerer tube and the bolt threads back on tightly. I tried hammering the bolt but the stem still won't come out. I am not sure what to do from here since a lot of the information I am reading on quill stems is confusing. I have a couple of specific questions:

When I loosen the bolt and hammer it, how loose/tight should the bolt be?
What should it feel like if the wedge has loosened but the stem is seized?
Can I just hammer the bolt with a piece of dowel on top of it because I can't get the hammer inside the space with the bolt.
If I have lost the wedge in the steerer tube how should I fish it out if the stem is stuck?

Stem Model = CODA aluminum front loader
Bike Mode = 1999 Cannondale R2000

Any other tips would be much appreciated also. Thanks of reading.