I am needing to raise the handle bars of my bike, seems simple, but...

The handle bar uses a 6 mm Allen screw that needs to be released to raise the handle bar. The screw won't budge when turning counter clock wise. . It's a rather new bike, no rust. I wonder if the manufacture used a drill to tighten it so hard. Sprayed lock release spray, no benefit. Do I force it by increasing the torque? I don't want to cause damage..

The “screw that releases the screw” is rather confusing. A picture might help.

The handle bar uses a 6 mm Allen screw that needs to be released to raise the handle bar. The screw won't budge when turning counter clock wise. .

Yes. There are sockets and t-handled tools and such for this purpose.

I have a T handled 6 mm, still not working Can you lead me to sockets that would be helpful?

Depending on what type of bike you bought, it might not be possible to raise the bars any higher than they currently are. At least not without purchasing more stuff. So telling us what you have or showing us a picture of it will get you more reasonable replies.

There isn't just one type of stem with the same configuration used on every bike.

And if it is a fairly new bike, you might want to have the shop you bought it from look at it. Otherwise you might be destroying something that otherwise will be covered by warranty. Though if you bought the bike at a big box discount store, then maybe just take the bike to a scrapyard and get another that actually fits you with the bars at the height you need.

I assume it's the top bolt on a quill stem.

As long as the wrench fits the bolt so it doesn't strip, just crank it.

I'd like to see a pic to confirm that's what we're talking about.

Assuming that this is the top bolt on a quill (threaded) stem - I've never seen a 6mm Allen on any other cockpit application except a treadless expander plug, and they're too low torque to be a concern. If you have a ratchet handle, square-drive (3/8" or 1/2") hex heads are readily available. Alternatively, any sort of narrow pipe of tube to extend the handle of your current hex key will give you more torque

nrsmd, can you provide a picture?

From your description, I'm wondering if you have an adjustable stem, where an accessory bolt has to be released to allow it to be raised or lowered, but is not the primary bolt holding the stem in place.

"T" hex wrenches tend to be a bit twisty and tough to get torque on them.
If a "T" wrench is all you have, use a crescent wrench on the "T" wrench down close to the bolt you a loosening ... Lots-o-torque then.
Just be sure of lefty-loosey.

Barry

Put down the tools, pick up your cellphone for its camera function, get back to us soon.

Bike brand and model would be of great help, as would a picture or two of the handlebar clamp you're trying to undo.

I use an adjustable wrench on the end of the allen.

I agree with everyone about making darn sure you want that turned.
You can probably get the hex socket (perhaps in a set) at any hardware store - its a common thing.
If you have an L-shaped hex wrench, that might actually work even better than the T.

OP... you can keep us guessing, or provide a good pic of the stem/bar and where the stem enters the bike frame...
Take the pic from a position which shows where the stem bolts are... ((the 'stem' holds the 'bar' and other end connects to the bike 'frame'/fork steerer tube this depends...
Anything other than that would be some 'unique' (weird) setup.
I've not ever seem the more modern 'aheadset' type of stem which uses other than a 5 or 4mm for pinch bolts. I have seen older 'Quill' stems which used a 6mm Hex...
'Quill' stems are one-piece design which attach to the bar and also enter the top of the Frame 'Head tube') - Aheadset type stems attach to the bar and then clamp onto the steerer tube of the fork (which comes up and thru the frame with enough length to allow the 'stem' to clamp to it.)
Without a pic, we're all guessing...
Ride On
Yuri

Guessing is so much more fun.

A 6mm combo wrench will also work, and is arguably more secure. Position the wrench close to the bolt to minimize twisting in the shaft of the Allen wrench.

i'm gonna guess dude got it loose and won't be checking back in soon..

82 posts since 2010..... not exactly a frequent flyer.

I've seen single screw and BMX stems with 6mm socket head bolts or screws many times.
several rather crude threadless stems too.
the 7mm threaded ones with 8mm sockets are the odd ones, IMO.. and the occasional SAE thread too. BMX stuff.

the bigger the socket, the more likely the threads are stripped...