Stuck Quill Stems
It is very common for stems to become stuck if they
have not been serviced in many years.
First of all loosen the bolt (seen in the black and
white picture) a few turns so the bolt head is sticking
up about 5mm. Give the bolt head a whack with a hammer,
this will knock the bung loose.
 
Flip the bike over and spray a penetrating oil such
as Inox inside the fork steerer. Depending apon the
corrosion this may need a few minutes or a few days
(respraying a few times).
Flip the bike back over. If a bench vice is available
remove the front wheel and place the fork crown in the
vice between two pieces of wood to protect the fork.
You may need another person to hold the bike, especially
if no vice is available.
Grab the handle bars and start twisting left and right.
If the stem doesn't loosen, more oil can be applied.
A few very hard whacks onto the bolt with a hammer can
help to loosen the stem.
If you still have no luck, try more oil and leaving
a few more days.
As a last attempt you'll may have to cut the top of
the stem (higher the better) to remove the fork.
To remove the cut off stem, place the fork into a vice
and bash the plug through with long bolt. Apply heat
with a blow torch. Flip the fork over in the vice and
using a piece of pipe the same size as the stem, bash
the old stem out. |
