stuck bolt
07-09-15 | 06:42 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
You're not giving much detail, so I'll make a few assumptions to fill the gap and answr accordingly.
First of all, I gather you man the vertical bolt that attaches to the wedge.
If it's free spinning, then you never picked up the wedge which probably fell to the bottom of the steerer tube. All you have to do is turn the bike over and it'll fall out.
OTOH if it's jammed, because you started to tighten it and forced it, odds are you cross-threaded it in the wedge. More torque to loosen it, nd it my break free or snap off, either of which is OK for you. Or you can carefully saw off the head, or drill out the bottom of a socket head with a drill that won't cut the hex. Drill about 1/4-1/2" down and that will sufficiently weaken the bolt that you can snap it by using a hex key and cheater bar. Once th bolt snaps, use a punch to push the remaining part down and release the wedge.
Hints to prevent a repeat.
1- always grease these threads.
2- always assemble bolt and wedge outside the bike, and never loosen enough for them to come apart while in the bike. Consider this a loosen/tighten item, rather than one where you remove the boolt (ever).
First of all, I gather you man the vertical bolt that attaches to the wedge.
If it's free spinning, then you never picked up the wedge which probably fell to the bottom of the steerer tube. All you have to do is turn the bike over and it'll fall out.
OTOH if it's jammed, because you started to tighten it and forced it, odds are you cross-threaded it in the wedge. More torque to loosen it, nd it my break free or snap off, either of which is OK for you. Or you can carefully saw off the head, or drill out the bottom of a socket head with a drill that won't cut the hex. Drill about 1/4-1/2" down and that will sufficiently weaken the bolt that you can snap it by using a hex key and cheater bar. Once th bolt snaps, use a punch to push the remaining part down and release the wedge.
Hints to prevent a repeat.
1- always grease these threads.
2- always assemble bolt and wedge outside the bike, and never loosen enough for them to come apart while in the bike. Consider this a loosen/tighten item, rather than one where you remove the boolt (ever).
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
