Originally Posted by
cny-bikeman
If the expander cannot move down further you are indeed "stuck." If you try to move it from the bottom you just move it further into the stem. If the stem merely has a recessed area for a bolt, with a small hole, you could drill out the expander and then try to use a rod to pound the stem out (LOTS of work). For me at that point it would not be worth it except for a high-end frame, which is not the case.
Well, as above, I'll try to thump it down.
If that fails I might try a rat tail file and cut a slice from the hole to the edge.
The wedge should be relatively soft alloy, so it deforms rather than damage the fork.
But it may take about as long as the guy in Shawshank.
I've done similar in removing a jammed seatpost, but there I could do most of the dissection with a hacksaw.