Steerer stuck in headset

[Osquatch]

Evening all, hoping somebody could offer some advice. I'm trying to remove a set of suntour xct forks from my sun's diamondback bike to replace for some rockshox. I've removed the stem and spacers but the forks won't budge at all. I have tried with wood, mallet & hammer to the point of no return for the old forks but they will not budge whatsoever. I have later discovered that there could be a split locking ring holding them in but I can't get to it, there Is still a metal cover and rubber seal over the top bearing but I can't work either loose without damaging them and I haven't got anything to replace them with.

Is there something else I'm missing? Or is everything just seized up completely. Every video I've seen everything seems to slide right off.


TIA

 

[raleighnut]

Yep there's normally a tapered lockring, it could be corroded to the steerer though, give it a good spray/dribble of your favourite penetrating oil and leave it a bit then a good whack with a hide/rubber mallet might free it off.

 

[iluvmybike]

Hit it hard with a rubber/plastic mallet!

 

[mickle]

Plus gas or other penetrative volatile to soak. Then hit it harder. It might help to reattach the top cap before you batter it.

 

[CXRAndy]

Photos worth a thousand words

 

[CharleyFarley]

... there Is still a metal cover and rubber seal over the top bearing but I can't work either loose without damaging them and I haven't got anything to replace them with.

Trying to picture the "metal cover" over the top bearing. [I take it that you're working on a threaded steerer.] That "metal cover" sounds like the adjustable race. Is there a locknut over that? If so, you'd need a slim wrench for the race, and an adjustable wrench for the locknut, to separate them.

I don't know if Sheldon Brown can help you in any way. https://sheldonbrown.com/headsets.html

 

[iluvmybike]

we need a photo to help you!!

 

[mickle]

Just batter it.

 

[Ajax Bay]

OP only came back once (7 hours after their first and only post), and maybe saw @raleighnut 's reply/advice.