Removing a rounded stem bolt.

[thesku11s]

Hello there,

picked up this bike a week ago,

Thought it'd take a couple of hours to get going, but it keeps taunting me!

First I broke a spanner trying to get the siezed pedals off, (eventually did it woth some improvisation)

Now I realise the stem  is a mile high and the bolt completley rounded off!

Was wondering what the best way to get it out is,

- obviously its in there pretty tight (as the pedals were)

I could saw a slit in it, then use a screwdriver the unsrew it?

I could drill a smal hole sideways through the bolt, then push a spoke through to try and turn it?

I could saw the whole head off, and try and knock the bolt out altogether?

What would be best, any other suggestions welcome.

[bmx xxx]

mull grips, or a plumbers grips, as already fcuked doesnt matter as long as get it out, good luck got some spaners for sale? gary

[rob]

remove the stem top and use mole grips

[thesku11s]

I dont know what mole grips are, but I have tried locking pliers, and plumbers ratchet type things.

Its gonna require cutting of some fashion, but just not sure which way would be best.

I could even file some flat edges to the bolt, so the I could use a spanner to get it out?

[login_user]

Have the forks got a drain hole underneath the stearer tube,if so turn the bike over and spray wd40 into the hole and leave to soak for a couple of hours.Then turn the bike back up and get some mole grips(locking pliers) on the screw head and try working it backwards and forwards,try tighten it first then untightening it. hopefully it should work loose. 

[Rombloke]

if you dont wanna try and save the bolt, (which in fairness looks shot), then just drill the head of the bolt off.

once this is done, the stem will be free, and you should be able to (as dave says) knock the wedge out from the underside of the forks

ok?

Dave

[billstup]

Pair of stilsons req, piece of piss with them 

[Rombloke]

Pair of stilsons req, piece of piss with them 

you plumber!!!

Dave

[bof]

definitely stilsons . Netto have some for 2.99 

[thesku11s]

if you dont wanna try and save the bolt, (which in fairness looks shot), then just drill the head of the bolt off.

once this is done, the stem will be free, and you should be able to (as dave says) knock the wedge out from the underside of the forks

ok?

Dave

Tried a few different things including soaking in WD40, mole grips, cutting a notch and using a screwdriver.....

nothing worked it would budge.

My drill wa srubbish too and wouldnt even mark it.

So I decide to go with the suggestion of my local bike mechanic and SAW the whole head off!!!

It took effin ages to do and made a mess of the stem thats for sure (gonna need some serious buffing)

And guess what?

The bolt was COUNTERSUNK!!!

The las time I undid a stem like this I was 14 or so so I didnt remember this, it certainly didnt look countersunk.

But now it just seems pretty fooked, theres a large part of the very strong steel bolt head recessed into the stem - definteley wont "drop out", theres no way to  grip it now obviously either.

Any ideas to for rescuing this disaster?

[bof]

Are you trying to save the stem,. if you are just get a nice sharp ( New maybe Ti coated) drill bit put a punch mark in the stem boltand drill into the bolt head , I know you said you had tried but it sounds like you drill bit was goosed , a nice sharp drill bit should cut through a stem bolt no problem. Or if you dont want to save the stem get an angle grinder and cut the stem top off and knock the wedge bolt out . 

[mattbus]

get some of these buddy:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/5-piece-bolt-grip-set
best investment i ever made, got me out the brown stuff a few times

[zed4130]

ive had this, i dremmaled the edges flat on 2 sides ,  and then uses a spanner,

[mattbus]

Pair of stilsons req, piece of piss with them 

2 bits of cheese?             

[Dark Diggler]

definitely stilsons . Netto have some for 2.99 

Did you ask for a discount Gov