Stuck stem with stripped Allen socket.
 

Hi everybody,

I'm trying to disassemble an old MTB, but the bolt (Allen) securing the stem is probably stuck and (after trying to unscrew it) the bolt is stripped.

What is the cheapest method I can use to separate the stem in order to disassemble the fork? I'd like to save the fork, I don't care about the stem.

Screw extractor?

What kind of stem? Quill? Threadless? Is the allen you're talking on "top" of the stem, or are there two allens and they are off to the side? Both will have different ways of (destructively) getting it off.

I doubt a screw extractor would work. Those things are meant to remove screws that aren't stuck, just stripped. If you do try one, soak the allen in PB blaster penetrating lube or similar overnight.

You can try to pound an oversized (fractional or Torx) driver into the rounded-out hole, or epoxy or Krazy-glue a sacrificial driver into the hole. You could also use a hacksaw to make a new slot (since you don't care about the stem) and use a large flat screwdriver to remove the bolt. Worst case, assuming a quill stem, hacksaw the bolt in half by cutting through the stem below the head. You can then use a punch to drive the rest of the bolt down to release the wedge.

multiple purposes dem screw extractors

i have a range and would certainly try it if all else fails. drill a small hole inside the bottom of the hex head and work a suitable size in, bet it would work...and would save the stem.


i used the smallest size i got to remove rocker panel clips [pins] from one of my car wrecks, dunno what i woulda done without them

Ever heard the phrase: "A picture is worth a thousand words"..?

Thank you all for the helpful advices! After further thought, I think I'll give up on the bike, probably too much rust on the frame anyway and too much work to restore it. Thank you all anyway!

In case you change your mind, I think the easiest way is to drill the bolt head away. Don't apply too much pressure as this would tend to tighten the bolt more.