This model has a LOOK Ergo stem, but it won’t come out even when I try to remove it. How can I remove this seized stem?
by MasonLee232
This model has a LOOK Ergo stem, but it won’t come out even when I try to remove it. How can I remove this seized stem?
by MasonLee232
3 Comments
You loosened the stem for the quill wedge in the steerer, yes? Did you tap the bolt with a mallet after loosening it to unseat the wedge?
Presume you’re going to completely rebuild the headset? Use a penetrating oil overnight to prep.
Should be a bolt on the top of the stem (which goes down the steerer) that should loosen the stem from the fork/bike. Suggest undoing this a few turns until it’s free then tapping the bold head only from above to further loosen.
If it’s still stuck after this then heat could be the next step
Flip is upside down and spray penetrating oil into the steer tube.
Be sure to keep the stem bolt install so that the oil doesn’t end up pouring out the center of the stem.
Using an oil/penetrant that has freezing properties to it will help.
Recommend Chill-Zone made by Finish Line. It’s a bike specific brand.
There is a product made by CRC called Freeze-Off, but the chemicals in that are pretty aggressive and can hard anodize aluminum. (Bad because hard anodizing items with lots of surface area but not a lot of mass can make it extremely brittle) freeze-off It’s best used on steel items.
Anyway, penetrating oil and time.