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Removing old aluminum stem

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Removing old aluminum stem

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Old 04-04-10 | 02:57 PM
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Removing old aluminum stem

I have an older GT Forte that has one of those full aluminum stems that I am trying to take off. The only problem is I can not figure it out for the life of me. There is a bolt on top that looks like an allen wrench, but none fit correctly. If anyone can give me like step by step instruction on how to remove it, they would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 04-04-10 | 03:10 PM
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From: Oost Vlaanderen in mind, Cleveland in body

Bikes: 2010 Mitcholo w/ Sram Force/Red

The allen key is metric, usually a 5 or 6mm.
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Old 04-04-10 | 03:13 PM
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Bikes: 2009 Spooky (cracked frame), 2006 Curtlo, 2002 Lemond (current race bike) Zurich, 1987 Serotta Colorado, 1986 Cannondale for commuting, a 1984 Cannondale on loan to my son

I am assuming from your description that you have what is often called a "quill" stem. If so, this is what you do:

Loosen slightly with 6mm. Tap with a hammer. Lift out.

If it is still not coming out, then grasp the bars holding the front wheel between your legs and rotate the bars back and forth while pulling up. Think "pulling a cork out of a champagne bottle".

If your bars are still not rotating relative to the wheel, then you might have aluminum oxidation that has "frozen" the stem into the fork. This is not good. It could involve a bit of destructive removal (stem destruction only).
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