Anyone "melted" a stem out of a fork tube?

[Kins]

Have a stem off my Dawes horizon chemically welded into the fork tube and need to get it out. Had to chop the quill top off to release the stem bolt which took a bit of doing to shift.

So far tried heating up the fork while cooling the insert and didn't budge with a shed load of GT85 soaking it for a few days didn't make a difference.

Any other advice to shift it before I try doing

So anyone actually done the chemical treatment (sodium Hydroxide) thats on Sheldon? How did it go?

http://sheldonbrown.com/stuck-seatposts.html

Anyone want to do mine?

 

[Wobblers]

Sodium hydroxide will definitely dissolve any aluminium. If the fork tube or steerer is steel, this should work, though check that it's not aluminium otherwise you'll dissolve both! Sodium carbonate (washing soda) will also work in the same fashion, but it's rather less aggressive and much safer. I'd recommend that you wear safety specs, as sodium hydroxide is as dangerous as acid to eyes.

 

[Kins]

Fork is 520 steel, tried washing soda, didn't do anything except clean the inside of the tube.

 

[accountantpete]

Sorry if you have already done this but have you hammered the bolt down to release the clamp section?

 

[Kins]

Yep did that Pete.

Well decided to bite the bullet and have a go. Got some caustic soda off flea bay. First stuck a cork in the bottom and poured some liquid down the fork tube. Did something but was leaking to badly. Then had the bright idea to stick the forks upside down in a 2L plastic milk container and fill it up with liquid. The container was such a good fit the lower race just rested on the rim of the bottle when inserted.

Bubble bubble toil and trouble. Worked a treat! Tried last two mornings to turn out the stem in a vice but was still stuck solid. Just went to check fluid levels before I went to bed and joyous wonder, the jobs done. Last little bit dropped out. Crap picture but its late. Pic also shows only damage to the forks paint. Amazed tbh. 2 days using a cork and 3 days in a milk container.

 

[biggs682]

good news