Stuck Stem - opinions sought

[danson67]

Not a huge help, I'm afraid but if the fork's the same as my 979 there's only a small (8mm?) hole in the underside of the cast crown. Much smaller than the 19-20mm clear hole of a standard steel fork.

Also the Cinelli has a cone, rather than a wedge, so unless you can work around it, or flip it over and refit the stem bolt, you'll just knocking it in tighter.

All the best,

 

[Jonny69]

Have you tried Plusgas instead of WD40? I've not tried it to un-seize anything yet, luckily (?), but when I've used it on general rusty nuts and bolts it's a lot thinner and penetrates better.

 

[sherlylock]

Aluminium stem stuck in steel forks?

If so - empty a can of plumbers freeze spray into the stem (presuming you can get access)....the aluminium shrinks at twice the rate of the steel which allows the two to part company. Combined with a twist you should be able to get the two items to separate......well worth a try before hitting things/cutting things

http://assets.jewson.co.uk/product-imag ... in/330.jpg

This stuff is also good as it's combined with a penetrating fluid/lubricant.

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/Image ... 996456.JPG

EDIT: Just looked up your bike - aluminium forks?

 

[psychalist]

I had a seat post stuck in similar manner. Pulled a vice off a bench trying to get it out. Eventually after trying all recommended methods, moved to method of last resort, which was to fill seat tube with caustic soda (solid stem so didn't run out). Leave to froth and top up until 2-3 weeks later post dissolved and frame intact. Now doing good service with new seat post. Might work with stem as long as you can keep the solution in the steerer tube.

 

[mattr]

Caustic won't work, it's got an aluminum steerer.
TBH. Freeze then boil *might* help. Even if it's just to crack the corrosion.
Or knock it down first. To free it up.

 

[psychalist]

Ah. I see. Try the freezer. It didn't work for me but it might do on an Al/Al interface. If you're likely to lose the stem, possibly the only way is saw the top off and try to saw a line down the inside and chisel/peel inward. Messy and awkward I realise.

 

[xxnick1975]

leave it all undone and loose, then ride down lots of winding big hills

guaranteed to work loose.....

 

[WilliamC]

Re:

Maybe worth trying to knock it further in. A piece of timber in place of the front wheel to support the bottom of the steering tube and block on top to protect the stem and give it a whack. As soon as you've broken the stiction you can start twisting and pulling.

 

[mattr]

Ah. I see. Try the freezer.

Nah, freezer might work with steel/al, but you'd need to freeze it *fast* with an al/al.
That plumbers spray would do it. Dump the whole can into the bottom of the steerer (frame upside down of course) then pour a point or two of boiling water into the same hole.

Then get wiggling.

 

[sherlylock]

That plumbers freeze spray gets things crazy cold (skin sticking to the aluminium type cold!).

What's the access to the inside of the stem like - sounds like there's a little hole in the fork crown that the tube of the freeze spray could be poked through. Unload the can into the stem whilst pouring boiling water on the outside of the stem may be enough to shock the two apart......well worth a try I reckon, I've freed a couple of seatposts using this method.