Need Help!!!!

[Dan Jose]

I shortened the stem in my 59 huffy and not too long ago I had I loosened it for something and then when I tightened it back I heard a weird crack and now the bolt just spins around but the stem wont budge. PLease I dont want to cut it out is there any other way you guys know that I can do this?

 

[sensor]

can you pull the stem loose while twisting it? sounds like either the bolt or the stem gave....if its the bolt just pull the bars use a long drift punch and whack the wedge loose/out....

 

[roadmaster]

i am not sure if you can get on it with a light mattel and try to tap it loose. lets just see if i am getting this right: the stem is stuck in the steerer tube, and won't move, but the bolt just spins around freely. right?

if trying to tap the stem won't get it to budge out of the steerer tube, one way would to try to get it from the bottom end of the steerer tube. this would require removing the front wheel, fender and seeing if you could get a skinny punch or something to stick thru the bottom of the steerer tube and then try to tap it out that way. sounds like the stem bolt snapped and left the wedgenut torqued at the bottom of the stem. id hate to say a few strategic taps or whacks with a hammer or mallet is the best way to loosen that stem from the steerertube, but it has always worked for me. good luck.

 

[deorman]

Your wedge is probably stripped/ cracked. If you have a work stand or bench vise, suspend the frame upside down and carefully drive the stem out. Don't clamp directly to the frame w/vise, put some wood shims or some thing between the jaws and your bike. If your fork is open on the bottom, you might be able to drift out the bolt, first best hope. Don't wail on it with a 10 lb. sledge, just consistent steady blows with a regular 24-26oz 1-handed hammer. If not, you'll have to beat on the handle bar clamp. Remove the top nut from the headset, as it creates tension in the steer tube. In fact, If you haven't already removed it, try removing it and pulling the stem out with it off before anything else. Good luck.

 

[icyuod2]

with old stems i find you have to loosen the bolt then hit it back into the stem to release the wedge.

try a gentle tap on the stem bolt itself.(if its sticking up) untill the wedge at the bottom of the old stems is tapped loose, the stem itself will remain tight.

 

[tnt1]

He said the bolt just turns in the goose neck so it probably broke the bolt when he tightened it. Tony

 

[Wildcat]

It sounds like the wedge is jammed sideways in there, and broken off from the bolt. You should be able to free it by using a piece of wood and a hammer to get the stem to come straight up and out. The wood will keep it from doing any damage to the stem. If you had it out recently, then it isn't rust holding it in. If the bolt can be pulled out, a longer bolt may be able to tap the wedge to break it loose and fall into the forks, freeing the stem.

I see where you shortened it. Did you cut the end at an angle like it was originally? This is the handlebar stem right?

 

[Dan Jose]

Man what would I do without you guys? Thanks for all the info, I finally got it out. The bottom of my fork was too small to stick something in there so I took off the handle bar, knocked the stem to the side with your average hammer, and gradually knocked it up and out of the neck of the bike. I didn't care if the stem got damaged cause I wasn't gonna use it anymore. A vintage sleek aluminum one is in there now. Thanks again guys, I would have pained me to loose that fork with all that original metallic red paint and all. my heart rate is normal now.

 

[Dan Jose]

It sounds like the wedge is jammed sideways in there, and broken off from the bolt. You should be able to free it by using a piece of wood and a hammer to get the stem to come straight up and out. The wood will keep it from doing any damage to the stem. If you had it out recently, then it isn't rust holding it in. If the bolt can be pulled out, a longer bolt may be able to tap the wedge to break it loose and fall into the forks, freeing the stem.

I see where you shortened it. Did you cut the end at an angle like it was originally? This is the handlebar stem right?

No I didn't cut exactly like it should, that probably was what started my problem. Thanks again.