Stem jammed on?

MTB noob

Hi. Just to give you a heads up I am a complete novice to road cycling for I am currently a mountain biker.

I've just bought a Cannondale R500 CAAD3 for £50 off a mate that needed a lot of work (re-painting, removing rust & corrosion and needs a cassette + chain)

The problem is that I can't get the stem (1" threaded steerer) off from the frame as the locking piece from the stem bolt is jammed in. I think the problem is that the steel stem and cromoly steerer both have rusted together.

I am trying out the Coca Cola overnight treatment but i'm not sure whether that will work because of the grease.

Has anyone got any suggestions for this problem?

Thanks

mikenetic

Sometimes the bolt that secures the stem moves, but the actual wedge doesn't release. Undo the bolt a bit, then use something to tap it down. That can release the wedge, and the stem will come out.

Worth a quick try, that's for sure.

MTB noob

I've tried to remove the wedge that way and still wont budge even with a 2 lb hammer.

mikenetic

Ah right, sorry, misunderstood the original post. Why Coca-Cola? I'd go for wd40, get loads in there and leave it for 24 hours, retreat, leave again then give it a go!

estampida

you can:

remove the bolt and then twist the the bar / stem to see if the stem will pop out and leave the wedge stuck in there

then knock it out with an old broom handle or a long piece of threaded bar so you can give the wedge some welly

but that is after wd40 / 3 in 1 and leave it to soak for a good while (days) and re-apply regularly, grease that monkey....

trying it outside when its cold might loosen it off or try indoors when it might expend a little could help as well

MTB noob

It is literally jammed. I've tried moving the handlebars offset to the wheel but its still not moving. I have already sprayed it with 3 in 1 and still didn't work. I've yet to heat the steerer though to loosen it off. That will be my next trick.

Monty Dog

Use a penetrating fluid like Plus Gas - WD40 is just a light oil. You might be able to remove the wedge if the fork has a hollow crown - you can then put a drift up the inside of the steerer and try and drive off the stem. Really drastic measures include cutting off the stem just above the headset to get the forks out and taking it from there.