How Not To Remove Frozen/Seized Quill Stem From Bike Fork

I enjoy the challenges of removing stuck handlebar stems form fork steerers. I have multiple videos on the subject and am always trying different methods. Viewers often suggest methods. In this video I show the viewer suggested method of striking up from underneath the fork with a bar to drive the stem out. I also show why I don't recommend this method using a bicycle fork with a cutaway in the steerer to show what is happening inside.
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[@RJTheBikeGuy]

For more bike repair videos hit the subscribe button ► bit.ly/SubRJTheBikeGuy

[@zkomins]

Lol the surgery was a success but you killed the patient

[@sebikelifeusvetparatrooper]

⚰️

[@keithschrack]

Bravo on the cut-away; I really like it. I think I'll build one for my own classes.

[@renomontenegro7862]

RJ as always has the amazing solution to almost bike-related headaches, already subscribed

[@djabthrash]

Great video, loved the fact that you cut the thing in half and showed how it looked like from the inside.

[@thomastasse6517]

This stem removal instruction video was very helpful. Thank you!

[@monsieurspanky]

You are for sure one of my favorite bike mechanics

[@tywheeler7131]

Awesome channel, thank you so much for putting the time into these :)

[@robkunkel8833]

I have a hearing problem, so I watched your video without sound. No captions were available. Either way, this is a good … a VERY good video for this problem. Thank you for the cut away on the fork. This was a lot of work and it makes it very clear for the audience. I Ebay bought a ‘56 Schwinn Corvette that must have had someone who took it apart for shipping with a large hammer and steel tube, even taking out the bottom race. You de man. And so quiet, too! 🌴Love from theUS Virgin Islands Schwinn Chicago vintage collection.

[@torstenfriberg2054]

Very clear explanation of a tricky problem, thanks!

[@nickdavis9280]

Glad i watched this first. This was going to be my next coarse of action.

[@Bruce.B]

Perfect demonstration. Thank you.

[@RemoGaggi]

RJ - Thanks again for the help. On mine, the wedge and post were both seized. I was able to get the post loosened up with a soak of PB Blaster for a couple hours. But, the wedge was still frozen. I had a little upward movement and side to side on the post. I turned the bike upside down, soaked the wedge with PB Blaster and then gently tapped it out with a long screwdriver and hammer (Very gently). I knew I had some play as the post was moving up and down. It came out fairly easy. I remain undefeated at 1-0.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

The wedge is usually not too hard to free up.

[@that70sschwinn]

Great demonstration RJ!

[@thomasvanrymenant4996]

Really helpful & straight forward videos, nice work bro

[@gunawanfahri23]

Do a How to, repaint an old frame ..

[@demotester3095]

very well explained, thanks!

[@verdhie]

Thanks.I always want to know how Quill Stem works...this video makes me understand

[@matoatlantis]

Huh, sometimes YT algo works I guess. Yesterday I saw your videos on frozen stem. I was thinking of using this method today. I didn't start on it yet. And suddenly this video pops out :) Thanks.

[@annielee2897]

Thank you for the very useful info.

[@kaapiosimpanssibonobo1864]

Hello! I have a question related to this issue. There is a wedge stuck in my butted 531 fork, and it might be originally pushed too far into the butted section. Anyways, the stem is out, but the wedge remains. Is it in this case, okay to hammer out from the bottom? Since if its indeed already in the thicker section of the steerer. Thanks.

[@nektin9923]

Great presentation and explanation

[@loganebeling9023]

Nice demonstration!

[@idezilla]

Good Point!

[@billbill2032]

Another great video!!!

[@sgarcia1718]

Thank youuu so much it’s been 20 years since I’ve had a bike ang just bought a 1985 gt that had the stem stuck and wouldn’t come out . Did like you said tap it in and came out like nothing . Thank you

[@DadeRich720]

Dam my dyno stem dont move for shyt bro tha rod comes off but tha stem iz froze like its welded in there i aint tryin to bend or strip anything

[@larryt.atcycleitalia5786]

Thanks for illustrating why you don't do this! Lots of backyard/shade tree mechanic ideas out there that usually make things worse, not better. Do bike shops no longer care or know-how to deal with issues like these?

[@paulhaworth6399]

Thanks for your help. Great video

[@user-is3jy6fn4h]

As always your videos are super sir👍

[@AbdulfetaHussan]

Thank you! It's useful

[@marcossaldana550]

More disections like this pls, its pretty interesting

[@michaeljameslawrence2965]

Great video. Thank you. What about cutting the stem off and trying to knock it off from the top of you are not to bothered about the stem?

[@vulcanbtw7705]

Great video👌🏻

[@OUTDOORSWITHDOMINGO]

Well done Bud !

[@Toto-is8ci]

Good info. I HAVE used the bar from the bottom to remove a stuck wedge, when the stem has come out.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

If the stem is out, that is fine.

[@achmadjappie9326]

Thanks for these videos it helps on, especially in not what to do… 🙈, found a useful way of get the stuck stem loose. I used the stem bolt and inserted it from the bottom of the fork and created my own little puller that helped free the wedge that was seized into the bottom of the stem 😊

[@kvondecks2538]

WOW! I did not see your comment, but I arrived at the exact same idea as you, I tried it and it worked in seconds with ease, then I came back here, started scrolling and was blown away to find your comment. I hope he updates his video to help others faster.

[@iwannabeyourdog90]

Hi, How did you create this puller? I'm a bit frustrated with hammering on the top screw, I think I need more torque..

[@danielcervantes3239]

Hammer tap worked perfectly! I cannot believe I was struggling for much too long before viewing this!

[@l1ncs]

not the situation I have, but the info that the headtube is tapered was new info to me and explains why the quill end is lodged after being tapped as everyone instructs to do .. I didn’t realise it was bonded as it apparently is, so will be trying the ‘bottom up’ method to see if it loosens .. good video btw thx

[@MatteBlackSilhouette]

Lever through the bar clamp and apply rotational force. Worked on one for me. *Edit* with a piece of wood through the arms of the fork to isolate the rotation to only the stem or vice versa.

[@jrh1704]

Tapping down works great thank you!!

[@LordYisusCraist]

pretty useful. regards from Argentina

[@TheIVJackal]

Hi RJ, appreciate the explanation! Could you link in the description the other videos you mentioned on how to remove the stem a better way? Thanks.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/aero/PLxO5aF0sensjkcujxesiYTkZzC83SVKq0

[@padyakolero1042]

Really helpful 🥰

[@swapnilthorat3335]

Nice nice very very useful thank you so much. My confusen sold.🙏

[@jonathonjubb6626]

Brilliant. Just stopped me wrecking a frame.. Thank you.

[@frankienofilter3228]

RJ I bought a front caliper that nutted instead of recessed. I looked at the bolt and noticed that I could probably take apart the caliper and replacing it with another m6 bolt that is shorter. I was going to buy one at home depot. have you ever did that to a road caliper brake?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Not sure if replacing the bolt will be that easy. Just install the nutted caliper with a concave washer on the back.

[@yoBradyO11]

So I have question about quill stem safety. I believe I heard from you somewhere, that quill stem bolts can break unexpectedly. Would a genuine titanium bolt make a quill stem a little bit safer / stronger?

[@austingode]

Brilliant .......

[@arvinmayorgaable]

The 'operation is a success but you killing the patient'.. So useful..

[@sebikelifeusvetparatrooper]

GENIUS!!!!

[@adisam4116]

Thanks.

[@Bricklinsv1970]

I had to cut steer tube once because the stem would not go. I lost the stem and the fork. Salvaged the Medici frame though.

[@hopenavajo1391]

When removing the stem I had to use a thin pipe to take it out. In the first place I should left the bolt in the handlebars to turn it around. When I took out the bolt,I couldn't put the bolt back in,so I had take the route that you suggested. Anyway the handlebars is back in its right position.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

First!

[@fuzzytransmissionman]

Cheeky boy.

[@ChuckD59]

Foul!

[@daddysmeegs1217]

So how how DO you pull ot then

[@perronegroycallejero192]

El primer comentario en español, saludos desde México +RJ The Bike Guy

[@alpacamale2909]

if my handlebar doesn't go further down after I successfully loosened it does it mean it has reached its bottom? my handlebar looks as if it could go down further but it doesn't.

[@Christian-eu4hu]

The pavement 😆😆

[@alevxzx]

3:19 haha nice one RJ

[@bartek221111]

Alex N what does it say? It's driving me crazy!

[@bartek221111]

Ok, got it now. Nice one, hehe

[@TNTomJ]

Q: What's the hardest part of learning to ride a bike? A: The pavement

[@danialhakim7222]

Change the video speed to 0.25 or slowest as possible and pause it at a good timing.

[@GrigoryRechistov]

Use comma and dot on your keyboard to advance the video one frame at a time when it is paused

[@chrisflynn6474]

Good vid! +++

[@leemundoMadDog]

Genius 👍

[@firocortunix9308]

i'm sorry i'm beginner, in this video what hole size in your fork? and what adaptor/quill size you use too? thank you i want restoration my old bike and the bike adaptor is missing, mine the size hole of fork is 22,2mm so if i choose adaptor 22,2mm is safe right?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Quill stems are sized by the fork steerer outside diameter. The stem for a 1" fork, is 7/8" in diameter. Since it fits inside the 1" fork.

[@firocortunix9308]

@@RJTheBikeGuy thanks

[@nimarahmanian4489]

I agree do a painting video. What spray paint should we use...rustoleum? Primer?

[@GeorginaWilcox]

Really useful video, I think this has helped me understand why my handlebars are crooked and can't be fixed -- I think the wedge has seized into the frame. The stem itself came out easily. I'm soaking it with some multi use spray at the moment (don't have any penetrating oil). Next I'll turning it upside down and hitting it to make the wedge come out the top... If that doesn't work I'll try soaking it in vinegar...

[@GeorginaWilcox]

And if that doesn't work maybe I'll just tighten the handlebars and ride with them crooked -- I reckon it should be a nice theft-prevention mechanism, right?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

If the stem is out, then there is no harm in knocking the wedge from the bottom.

[@GeorginaWilcox]

@@RJTheBikeGuy success! I tried hitting it from the bottom, but that didn't work (or I didn't hit hard enough), so I turned it upside down, but some plastic over the top of the fork, held it on with hair ties, filled it with vinegar... And then hit it some more. It eventually succumbed to the repeated percussive force and now I have one very rusty wedge in my hands... I'll try and clean everything up a bit, grease it all and put it back together. Hopefully that fixes the wobble and I can get the handlebars on straight now.

[@robkunkel8833]

@@GeorginaWilcox … Congratulations. Bikeman delivers again!

[@austinvickymoore3656]

I have a question. I am new to cycling and bought an older centurion Super Le Mans and was wondering on the bottom bracket.. I'm slowly replacing things with better quality components! Question is how to tell what bottom bracket I can switch to and tell what I have in it?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3PVh516e9aiqqc

[@Willy-the-Fire-Putter-Outter]

This video is exactly what I needed! Thank you so much! My stem is now free

[@ianrice1778]

Just got a brand new Mt bike and expansion nut is loose after tightening it. The handle bars will move left n right after tightening the Allen bolt. My friend and I tried one off my other bike and tried different things. Can you help and tell me how to tighten my handle bars so they stay straight and tight please?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

If it's a brand new bike, take it back to the shop and have them fix it. I can't tell you why that is happening without examining the bike. Maybe they screwed up when putting the bike together and have too long of a bolt, or the wrong sized stem. I do not know. And you didn't need to double post this question!

[@meman24]

thanks for the tips, just got mine out by using oil, hammer and all that, letting it sit over night, then I resorted to flipping it over, standing on the handle bars, and wiggling the fork until it could spin freely. The quil itself was frozen even though the wedge was free! Then I had to dig the wedge out cause it had fallen completely off

[@PaulMalpartidaCodeBreaker]

Any more card trick vids on the other channel?

[@bullwhipjohnson8247]

I just watched a GCN video about servicing bearings and noticed they now have a Park Tool grease dispenser similar to yours. Trendsetter.

[@jamiepeirce526]

I was trying to get a stem out of a vintage bike after soaking in vinegar and releasing the quill. I made a jig which resulted shearing the steerer tube right below where corroded stem is located. The thing basically exploded. The AL stem stayed stuck in the other half of the steerer tube. Guess I’ll do a threadless fork conversion.

[@MartynCole]

So what did the frame of text say? I can't seem to get to the frame using the youtube controls.

[@IlJohanIl]

Q: Do you know what is the hardest part of learning to ride a bike? A: The pavement.

[@FPChris]

I have a gmc denali with a rusted out recessed release allen head. I’m afraid I’ll strip it.

[@somn__]

So in the situation that the wedge can come out the bottom, do you think cutting the same angle in the tubing and hammering that would still damage the steerer?

[@billinhouston3291]

Yes.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Yes!

[@alechinojosa6353]

How to remove the actual stem bolt if it’s stuck in there ?

[@timyung4143]

Thx for the explanation, great to know but how to get it out then? 🤔

[@surellow]

I pulled out the stem but wedge is stuck what should i do?

[@a.r.moyapapitawaira7369]

What does it says in the screen on minute 3:18?

[@shivercanada]

God bless you for likely saving me from destroying my bike!

[@VITAKENNY]

Great explanation. Thank you. I did not mean to push it out. Because even if there is no wedge, flat bottom. Pushing will or hammer from between the fork will actually make end of soft alum even "enlarger" the flat end. Cause it even harder to get stem out. Similar to push cylinder back in bicycle chain that little widen piece end. Cause cylinder to stay in place. I remember you had video using sling hammer borrow from AutoZone. Using pulling force to pull out stuck seat post. That is great idea. However the only thing I don't like about sling hammer is metal surface on alum soft metal surface cause damage to alum stem. I think metal as piece of clay or rubber band. When push on a cylinder, it flatten, make it fatter. When pull clay cylinder to make cup handle it make cylinder slim. Same principle apply to metal rod in miniscule way. But will help. Sling hammer is only few lbs force. I did lots research in this topic while out of work. How to use off shelf tool to removed seize seat post or stem. But I made a improved version of your sling hammer method. The biggest challenge I have with pulling force. It required enough material to give a good grip. Like the chain. The chain is as strong as the weakest link it can provide.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Pounding is hard on the headset. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXjZf2qtaJ1pi5I

[@codystudliness4547]

You would save yourself some serious time and energy if you went out and got your hands on the best penetrating oil ever made....It’s called “Kroil.” It comes in an orange can and is rare to come by. But you’ll quickly see that Kroil is a billion times better than PB Blaster. Thank me later..

[@josepha8759]

I use PB Blaster. Apply liberally, let it soak two days, apply again, then strike the underside of the stem with a dead blow hammer (a hammer encased in rubber with loose shot inside the head) while placing my weight on the front forks.

[@johnpossum556]

Subliminal jokes now included!

[@mikeo1567]

John Possum I was trying to catch that also

[@amaljohnsont8439]

What is the best method

[@timhepworth7867]

Thank god I saw this vid as it was going to be my next option an a 3 month battle I’ve been having.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpOXpWdorM59prM kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXjZf2qtaJ1pi5I kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zni1k5ekibd7Y5Y

[@timhepworth7867]

Thanks for the reference vids. Determined to get this bugger out

[@Nitecrow314]

@@timhepworth7867 Did you get it out yet???

[@ad846]

How about locking the forkn in a vise and hammering the stem laterally , to twist it to unlock ?!?

[@443DM]

I've used a 2x4 in the top of the fork for leverage. It worked but had to re-align the fork after sometimes.

[@robertp7209]

Instead of coming up from the bottom opening, take that same rod you have and shape the end to fit in the inside bend of the stem. While keeping it as parallel as reasonably possible, nail it with a 3 lb hammer as hard as you can. The stem will get marked up, but those quill stems are available from an assortment of suppliers.

[@Hellya38]

Well explained, "operation success but patient is dead" lmao

[@johnraybenitez617]

Had frozen stem before,did everything I saw in the Internet,nothing worked..what I did is loosen the wedge, and used the bike daily,not on high speeds of course..then one day it loosened.. 😁

[@MikkoRantalainen]

If it's totally frozen, that will not do it. I have a frozen seat post (Aluminium post inside steel frame) and I've driven the thing without bolts for three years. No movement ever.

[@Exgrmbl]

@@MikkoRantalainen i had a similar case. The contact surface was roughly 6-7 inches high all around the tube, white aluminum oxide. what i did to remove it was to let it soak over days in wd40, hammered on it for a bit. Finally drilled a 12 milimeter hole through the post, put a big allen key through it and put a pipe on it as a lever. Took some serious brute force but it came out with no damage.

[@MikkoRantalainen]

@@Exgrmbl It depends on how badly is stuck. In my case, following this video was not enough: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4nYlGyaia1sp6c I even tried to make the post how as shown in this video but failed because my gas burner was tiny compared to this one and I didn't get it hot enough to get it free: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYbdd51ogJ2Hn5Y

[@user-gb6tq8xp4b]

You need the patience of a saint for this. On a previous video, I gotta admit, my mind was wondering as I found myself fantasizing about throwing the bike off a 6 story building (without wheels of course) just to see if the quill would eject upon impact. That thought left my head just as fast as it entered knowing that there’s a high probability that I would be staring at a mangled frame with the quill still in place mocking me from six stories below. Enter fantasy # 2- strap the bike on a wide oak tree and shoot the top of the quill with a shotgun using #00 double-aught large game shells. Again, a poor idea, but it’s getting more fun isn’t it? Yeah this one is all about admitting defeat but scoring some gratification. Still….another bad idea. I’m currently facing this dilemma. I think I’ll try some leverage. I’m going to put the fork on a bench vice (protected with soft wood of course). Once the fork is secured, I’ll use a 3 foot metal pry bar and place it in the drops (handle bars) in such a way where I can put tremendous torque in either direction. I believe this will work, and will work quickly. I’ll post the results whether good or bad, but I’ll refrain from letting my mind wander to gratifying fantasies that won’t do squat for removing the stem.

[@kvondecks2538]

Put the set bolt, through a large washer, thread it back into the wedge from the bottom of the fork, then tighten the set bolt to pull the wedge away from the stem, to relieve the pressure caused by the stem and wedge together. Then if stem is still stuck try your other methods to free the corrosion of the un wedged stem.

[@kvondecks2538]

Update, I just tried the bolt from the bottom, and it worked SO easy and well. Please try it and update your videos. 🙂

[@agungjuandi528]

Help me, How to open type JD Suspension stem patent, very hardnest to remove😓

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I don't know it.

[@vidjagameenjoyer]

Was that fork already bent, or did you ruin a good fork? Awesome video btw!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

It was a fork from a lower end frame I didn't plan to use.

[@alexforbes8272]

Rj do a bike check video

[@Metal-Possum]

If you can get the stem out but the wedge is stuck, use the original bolt and a DIY spacer of sorts (washer stack, sockets, etc) to pull the wedge out. Not all steerer tubes have open bottoms, especially likely in hand-made and exotic bikes of yesteryear.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I have never had a wedge that was stuck by itself.

[@mstrshkbrnnn1999]

@@RJTheBikeGuy mine is currently stuck lol. The stem and bolt came out but the wedge is super corroded and stuck

[@peytypops1998]

what if the steerer is free and the wedge is stuck? I can't get it out no matter what, is there anything that helps with that

[@443DM]

Soak with oil or WD-40. Hit it harder with the bolt. Use a longer bolt if necessary or a metal bar that fits inside if it's a round one. Or with a bar from the wheel side as shown. Often you can easily push the plug further down because it's not corroded further below. Don't even need to push it through if you just replace with a shorter quill stem that can use the new space you created. Or just let your new quill stem sit higher. Your bike will be a few grams heavier now that there's another wedge inside. Oh well.

[@JamesDavis-kp4ll]

3:20 That pavement's harder than a '90s gangsta' rapper! 💯😎😜

[@tyrgoossens]

3:19 had a little refresher on this recently. XD

[@mikem4362]

niceeee

[@picassoto2336]

I use a burner to heat the fork tube, this way the heat causes the fork tube to expand slightly and the freeze breaks.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

If it's an aluminum stem/post in a steel frame, aluminum expands more than the steel.

[@picassoto2336]

RJ The Bike Guy I don’t know... but it’s working in very hard situations!

[@Albanez39]

What if the wedge or cone is seized to the bolt...can't get it to tighten or loosen, they rotate together. Both the fork post and stem are steel :(

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I already answer your question.

[@AmazingChinaToday]

If the stem is not rare or valuable, just smack it sideways with a rubber mallot to rotate it in the forks. (First spray penetrating oil such as Kroil into the forks and let it soak overnight.) The stem should come out no problem.