Author Topic: Stuck stem in forks - Help! (Read 2300 times)

WINI · « **on:** March 31, 2017, 08:23 AM »

I have a set of forks with a stem that is stuck fast after many years of sitting there. Doesn't look rusted at all, just will not budge after days of wd40 treatment and trying to twist the bugger out.
Bearing in mind I only have a crappy hobby vice, does anyone have any tips before I try heat? Both forks and stem are precious so I don't want to resort to the lump hammer...

Help me, oh masters of metal

pickle · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2017, 08:32 AM »

I have heard that soaking in Coke can help as well Mark $:-\$

Bung the top so you can pour it in and leave to soak away

oldschoolace · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2017, 08:37 AM »

Guessing you have undone the wedge bolt and knocked it down Mark? You could try fitting bars for more leverage but if you twist em too hard you will probably losen them stem from its post $:-\$

Bung a pic up

oldschoolace · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2017, 08:50 AM »

There is always the steel rod idea. Shine a torch up the forks (from the crown end) and find the flat spot on the stem shaft. Insert 12mm steel rod or something similar, locate on flat spot and whack away with a lump hammer

WINI · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2017, 10:33 AM »

Quote from: oldschoolace on March 31, 2017, 08:37 AM

Guessing you have undone the wedge bolt and knocked it down Mark? You could try fitting bars for more leverage but if you twist em too hard you will probably losen them stem from its post $:-\$

Bung a pic up

Funny you should say that Clint, as that's exactly what I did and the stem top came away leaving the shaft stuck in the top of the forks

I think the wedge is still in there too, slightly twisted although the bolt came out fine. I'll get some pics up when I get home this afternoon

nosepickben · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2017, 11:19 AM »

A 3/8" drive socket extension with the ratchet end inserted into the fork crown (coz it's wider) should be ideal for knocking it out with a big hammer. Get a drop of diesel down there a few hours prior.

Jaymz · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2017, 11:30 AM »

Like ben just said get some diesel in the mix

WINI · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2017, 02:19 PM »

Stuck to fook.

Here's a pic of Ellie

oldschoolace · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2017, 02:28 PM »

Liking Ellie

How did it end up in the fork without being mounted on the frame?

WINI · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2017, 03:17 PM »

Quote from: oldschoolace on March 31, 2017, 02:28 PM

Liking Ellie

How did it end up in the fork without being mounted on the frame?

When I took the bike apart, I used the bars to try and pull the stem out of the forks while they were still attached. The stem to shaft gave way before the shaft came out of the forks.

I also can't get the cranks out of the frame. Fooking disaster so far

oldschoolace · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2017, 03:24 PM »

What time does your local tip shut tonight

MartyC · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2017, 04:00 PM »

Looks to me like the wdge is still attached, what can you see when look up the steerer tube from the bottom?

WINI · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2017, 04:40 PM »

Quote from: MartyC on March 31, 2017, 04:00 PM

Looks to me like the wdge is still attached, what can you see when look up the steerer tube from the bottom?

The wedge is deffo still in there Marty, looks a little twisted so probably causing the problem. I've twatted it with no luck so far...

john4130 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2017, 04:51 PM »

screw the stem bolt back in and give it a whack, hopefully that will shift the wedge.

Dark Diggler · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2017, 05:55 PM »

Stick the forks in the freezer for a bit (or stand them upside down in iced water to half the depth of the steerer) then heat up the steerer near the crown end working up to where the wedge is lodged then quickly give it a tap with a suitable bar from the crown end, it should move.

Spen69 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 31, 2017, 06:15 PM »

Mark i'd stick to newschool mate. It goes together simple and comes back apart just as easily.

Why only today I was installing a brand new headset and brand new stem on a bike I bought brand new off some bloke on here a couple of weeks ago..... hang on, it was off you

But your problem is the wedge has turned or twisted slightly and needs to be removed seperately to the shaft as hitting it from below is just driving it tighter into the inside of the steerer tube. Have you tried threading the bolt into the wedge from underneath (up the forks instead of down) and then tapping it left and right gently round until it frees slightly and then repeat until it frees. Then wiggle it out from the bottom or at least free of the shaft.

A soak in diesel overnight then might get the shaft free and if not, you're off to a machine shop to see if they can adapt a stud extractor or something else to free it.

If you're really stuck then bring it up to mine and we'll get Ben over with some really big hammers but I can't gaurentee anyone's safety, let alone the stem or forks

WINI · « **Reply #16 on:** March 31, 2017, 08:34 PM »

Cheers lads, there's a good few ideas to have a crack at there. And as soon as I find more than 3 minutes to myself, I'll have a bash.

Always rely on you lot

griff · « **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2017, 10:54 PM »

The answer to most engineering challenges is nearly always 'twat it with a hammer'

poorboyee · « **Reply #18 on:** April 01, 2017, 12:36 AM »

yes a hammer, a vice (good one) and metal bar, plus a lots of wd40 or similar will work..

!! just don't go to ham

MartyC · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2017, 02:17 AM »

Quote from: john4130 on March 31, 2017, 04:51 PM

screw the stem bolt back in and give it a whack, hopefully that will shift the wedge.

This will work ^^^^ but make sure you screw the bolt in a fair way

WINI · « **Reply #20 on:** April 01, 2017, 02:51 PM »

Success! Bolt back in a good way and didn't even need much of a tap! Cheers lads, job done!

MartyC · « **Reply #21 on:** April 02, 2017, 06:02 AM »

Quote from: WINI on April 01, 2017, 02:51 PM

Success! Bolt back in a good way and didn't even need much of a tap! Cheers lads, job done!

Are all your digits accounted for, if so top bombing

WINI · « **Reply #22 on:** April 03, 2017, 07:41 PM »

Quote from: MartyC on April 02, 2017, 06:02 AM

Quote from: WINI on April 01, 2017, 02:51 PM
Success! Bolt back in a good way and didn't even need much of a tap! Cheers lads, job done!

Are all your digits accounted for, if so top bombing

They are mate, not even a scrape!

Author Topic: Stuck stem in forks - Help! (Read 2300 times)

griff