View Full Version : Removing stuck spacers
SamIAm
01-19-2009, 07:46 AM
I decided to lower my bars a bit and I can't get the spacers off. My corrosive sweat may be responsible. Any ideas on how to get em off, even if they must be destroyed in the process?
Thanks
rePhil
01-19-2009, 07:57 AM
Aluminum spacers, aluminum steerer? Stem comes off leaving spacers?Can you see corrosion? If it were mine I would soak them with PB Blaster. After a good soak try putting a block of wood on top of the steerer and tapping with a hammer. (the front wheel needs to be off, or at least off the ground. Or wrapping them with a shop towel and use a big pair of Channelocks and try to twist.
If that didn't work I would decide if heat or cutting them off were the right way to go.
David Kirk
01-19-2009, 08:12 AM
If the steerer is metal I'd spray penetrating lube in there and let it sit for awhile and then give the steerer a firm wack down with a rubber mallet or dead-blow type hammer. This should cause the upper part of the headset and the spacers to slide up the steerer. Don't use a metal hammer directly on the steerer.
If you try to use pliers to grab and twist them off you'll have a very tough time of it. The spacers are too flexible and when you grab them with the pliers they will flex and grab the steerer and they won't got anywhere. The harder you grab the more they will want to stay in place.
When you reinstall the stem and spacers be sure that there is a light coating of grease in the steerer.
dave
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