how can i remove a stuck wedge nut? its got to be in the forks for at least 10 years
ive tried penetrating spray, force, more spray more force (from both sides)
havent tried air chisel or heat yet, but they are beautiful T/A forks
if i cant get it out, is it possible to cut the stem shaft shorter to fit it in?

thanx

I think I would take it somewhere and let them drill it out before I began cutting down stems (sounds dangerous)

I would wrap them in shop rags or something and tell the guys to take real good care not to scratch or dent them. It'd be best if you could stand right there and watch them.

it's probably wedged AND rusted, which will be very hard to remove. Maybe someone else has some better ideas..

I would try soaking it real good with liquid wrench or something similiar for a few days. Then take the stem bolt and thread it into the wedge from the bottom side of the forks, where you would install a front brake, and then try to bang it out with a hammer etc. Be careful. Don't damage the threads for the headset. Good luck.

turn the bike upsidedown.take off the front wheel.take something that will go inside the fork hole.(that way you have more of a surface to hit on)yes trickstar. do what trickstar said to do.

yeah i tried that, three pound dead blow hammer and punch, did not work...
maybe ill have to just keep at it

I think careful heat would be good (maybe wrap wet cloth around base of steerer to help keep the heat only in the steerer). Might make enough movement to allow penetrating oil in a little deeper.
I have eremoved stuck hitch receivers with repeated application of - penetrating oil, time, heat, force... not always in that order.

Maybe a different penetrating oil??
Kroil is great.
JB-80 is great.
Never tried it, but I hear lots good about Marvel Mystery Oil.

Can you tell if the wedge is aluminum or steel? If alum... isn't amonia supposed to free the corrision?


Otherwise, like Astrodamus mentioned. Drill it. If you get the center hole big enough, you will be able to pry the wedge away from the steerer tub ID with a pick or small screw driver.

If its an alloy wedge in a steel fork, block one end & fill the steerer with caustic soda, this will attack the alloy but not the steel & viola
DINGO

Works with alloy seatposts in Steel frames too,
but wear your gloves
DINGO

Like trickstar said....let it soak for a FEW days. Be patient, It took me a while even after that.

I've heard that using petrol helps when trying to free a stuck seat pin as it eats away at grease and rust, so the same may work here. It sounds like the forks are off the bike so you could plug the stem end, turn the forks upside down and pour petrol in for a while, drain and go at loosening the wedge from each end with a drift and hammer.

[ October 14, 2004, 06:24 AM: Message edited by: sanmarcopizza ]

Sanmarco, that is the baby.

Petrol, let it soak like a real un, then screw in a stem bolt a good way in so you dont bind up the threads. Then, BASH BASH BASH BASH!!!!

If that dot work, then get a bigger hammer and BASH BASH BASH

ORB (I like bashing stuff)