Stuck stem!
 

I got a serious problem, the stem is stuck. I am stripping a old frame and I can't get the stem loose. It is the old type with a expander bolt. I have tried everything, including a share part of violence (with a rubber hammer). Nothing happens. It is STUCK. Any suggestions???

Rubber hammers will not do the job in this case. You need either a brass hammer or a "zero blow hammer". The latter is a plastic hammer filled with lead shot which will deliver a very substantial hit without causing damage to the part. I personally prefer the brass hammer.

Doc

Or, you could resign your self to damaging the stem and use a regular hammer, hitting upward against the bottom of the clamp. Make sure, first, to apply copious amounts of whatever kind of lube you have handy (WD-40, shop grease, KY, whatever).

You tried backing the fixing bolt out part way and whacking it with a hammer to dislodge the wedge. Many older stems used a cone shaped plug in the bottom of the quill rather than a wedge. If a plug type,the base of the quill can take a permanent 'set' and often needs to be beat out, even if not corroded in.

Loosen the stem bolt a few turns then set a "block of hard wood" on the bolt head and hit the wood with a "steel" hammer. The wood will not damage the bolt head.

The rubber hammer will just bounce back.

Turn the frame upside down. Spray pb blaster down the hole in the fork, to where the expander bolt is locked in. Let sit over night. Whack it again, using some of the other suggestions here as well. But really soak the expander bolt first in PB blaster or some such.

I have loosen the stem bolt a few turns and put a piece of wood and hit it with a hammer so much that I got a 1 cm deep hole in the wood... I have done that both from above and also from below. Any other radical solutions?

Heating the steerer tube with a propane tourch. Not exactly easy.

Now, that's an understatement.

Cut the steering tube?

Dave

Sure???

I need the ball bearings around the stem... As long as I can save those I can kill the stem...

brute force

I had the exact same thing to happen to my first real road bike. Now you know why I always recommend greasing the stem and seatpost. My old bike found a new home with a bike mechanic. He said there's a specialty puller made especially for removing corroded stems. If you check with a good bike shop it may have the exact tool you need.

Thanks alot for the tip about the special tool. I check with my LBS today. Speaking about greasing stem and seatpost... I bought the bike two months ago, a nice Kotter with Shimano 600 all through. But... the frame was bent, the saddle broken, front derailleur almost worn through, rear wheel hub loosens up after 3 km ride, spokes rusty, bad tires, rear derailleur worn, chain rings pretty worn, and stuck stem. I have not payed yet though, and I am building a new one now. Swapping parts, and right now it seems like the brake levers and the steering bearings is the only thing I am going to use... and front hub and maybe right crank :) The seller is not getting many nickels for the bike from me... :D