How can I free a stuck handlebar stem?

Question

It's been in the rain for a couple of years. I can't move it at all.

Answer 1

WD40 and brute force!!

Answer 2

soak in diesel a day or two then pour boiling water over headstock quickly followed by ice cold water this usually does the trick without damaging paintwork do not tap outer tube or you might jam together permanently good luck!.

Answer 3

Try spraying WD40 and leave for a few minutes.

Answer 4

Plus Gas is thinner than WD40, but more expensive though. Then strike hard with a rubber mallet. That should 'crack' the seal.

Answer 5

WD40 blows donkeys.  PB Blaster is much better at breaking rusted parts free.  MUCH BETTER......MUCH.

Spray generously with PB Blaster, then loosen the quill several turns and tap on the quill binder bolt with a hammer.  It should free the quill from the stem and steerer tube.

I have done this several times on old quill stem bikes.  If you are using threadless, disregard the discussion on quills.

Answer 6

WD40 It`s a rust lubricant.

Answer 7

Presumably you have undone the bolt on top and given it a wallop with a hammer . If that doesn't loosen it you will have to hammer from underneath until it frees.

Answer 8

Squirt WD40 over it. That should release it.

Answer 9

That sounds like the ball barings!

A simple soultion is to take off the stem fit allen key (or what is needed) then put your bike in a vice (bike stand) hit thwe top of the fork till it comes free . this will let you get to the ball barings use grease on them put it back all back the way it was then ............................Have fun

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=DqyLkBBlBc...

Answer 10

Try giving it a good soke in WD40. If that doesn't work try a little heat with a gas torch, make sure you have cleaned all the all  the WD off first or you could have a fire.

Answer 11

LOL dude i took apart my bike yesterday i tried to get the handlebar out. well check it. theres a little s***w under it. its like.. for a monkey wrench. unscrew that. and then if that still doesnt work, then try and unscrew the ORYG  brake cable thing if you have one. wd40 should help also. if you have an ORYG or GYRO system then the top cap should unscrew. its realy hard to unscrew though. so if  your like c**p wth? its so hard! just keep unscrewing. anyway, if thats not the case, iono what your doin wrong. if that doesnt help, make sure all the screws above it and stuff are removed. including brake line and that s***w on top of the stem

Answer 12

But a spray called WD40 and keep giving it a good soaking for a couple of days and that should work. I use it on my shed hinges after the winter.

Answer 13

Yep, WD40... Or Liquid Wrench may be even stronger.  Then you need to let it sit a bit while it penetrates the bolt threads.