help! stripped stem, can I save it?
 

Hi there,

I have a bontrager race stem (aluminum). While I was tightening the front bolts attaching the handlebars, I tightened to much and the bottom bolt popped out stripping the hole in the stem! is there a way to fix this, or do I have to buy a new stem? I really don't want to do that since I just bought this stem and would be out $60. If it makes a difference, there is still a bit of thread in the hole, i can screw the bolt in, but as soon as i tighten the top bolt the bottom bolt slides out again.

thanks for any help!

Problem Solved! I cleaned out the stem, and noticed there was still thread in half of the hole (the bolt hadn't gone all the way in) so I took a bolt slightly longer than the stock one. Its tightened to full torque and doesn't look like it is going to pop out.

Another solution that would have worked was to use a tap&die set.. but I'm glad I didn't have to do all that work.

If it's a blind hole you are SOL unless you can drill and tap it to a larger diameter safely. If the hole goes all the way through, you might be able to get a long enough bolt to fit a nut on the far side.

Torque specs for handlebar bolts are pretty modest, like 70-80 inch-pounds for a 2-bolt faceplate and 50 or so for a 4-bolt