Originally Posted by
Laurabknight
The handle bars would not turn so I am trying to take off the spacers so that I can detest the stem and headset. I have got most of them off apart from the last one which is seeming impossible!
in the process the wd-40 must’ve helped as the handle bars will twist now but not enough!
First smooth that crusty rust with abrasive paper*. Then apply heat, and whack it. Use a hot air gun** on the spacer - you probably want to protect the frame and exposed part of the steerer with a few layers of aluminium foil. Heat the spacer all the way around, and once it's good and hot give the top of the steerer a serious whack with e.g. a big chunk of wood - don't use a steel hammer directly on the steerer, you could damage it. You'll need to hold the fork off the ground at the same time - hanging the bike (minus wheels) from a convenient tree would be good if you don't have a helper, don't beat on it when it's resting on the ground, you could bend something. Give it another squirt of WD40 then repeat the heat/hit cycle until you win.
* 80 grit aluminium oxide or similar, from discount or DIY stores - the coarse red/brown sheets for electric sanders are fine for this, but the yellow glasspaper sheets are not.
** 2000 Watt ~£20 from B&Q Screwfix etc.